This is about the DH Labs Silversonic BL-1 Series II interconnect.
Click hear for DH Labs website for product information
These are not cheesy interconnects. They are only $100 for a 1 meter pair, and many reviewers on the web say they sound like cables 3x or 6x their price. I can see ("hear") that.
They are very well built, and nothing really fancy to look at.
But they certainly have a nice sound. They do have silver plated conductors. TFE insulation, shielding, the works.
Sound? NOT cheap! With most equipment, you will hear a vast difference over standard Radio Shack interconnects. My main comparison cable was the Straightwire Encore II interconnects, which I really like (also about $100 for a 1 meter pair).
The Silversonics are bright. No doubt about it. They emphasize high-mids to high's. Good detail. Hard to really place detail, as the highs are emphasized that much.
The Silversonics are like Grado headphones...brighter is better? That being your taste. The Encore II's are more like Sennheiser 600's.....delicate sound, smooth detail. Good comparison. DH Labs like the Grado's sound, the Encore II's like a 580/600.
Both good, both different.
If you have good equipment, the BL-1's may improve things. If you have cheaper equipment, you may hear things you don't want to hear
.
I tried the BL-1's in three places:
1) Between Acurus preamp and amp. Did not like the sound. A bit of high end glare. Too much for my taste.
2) Between Rega Planet CD player (which already has a mild, laid back sound) and Acurus preamp. Again, just a bit much with bright CD's. Too much for my taste there.
3) Between Acurus preamp and Pioneer CD recorder deck. Now there it has it's uses. The Pioneer, when it records, loses just a touch of bass and highs. The BL-1 there in the record line brings the highs up just about right. Not enough to have the "glare" of previous installations. I will keep the BL-1's there for a few recordings. One bright Vivaldi "Four Seasons" recording (LP) came out ok!
I use some "laid back" speakers too, Vandersteen IICE Signatures. I think the mild "glare" of the BL-1's might be a bit much for brighter speakers.
So the Silversonics are good interconnects, with a definite sound characteristic. Slight brightness. Of course, this may be good. I am no equipment expert. I, UGH, "just like what I like"
.
It's strickly a matter of taste, not quality. The BL-1's are good interconnects, and may be fabulous for your system. They are far and away better than most other interconnects in their price range, and more. But a bit bright for me. I may still return them.
I personally prefer my Straightwire Encore II's (no, I don't work for Straightwire).
You can get the BL-1 cable in bulk, very cheap (for good cable). For DIY or long cable runs, this may be an excellent option.
Good stuff. But not for me.
Click hear for DH Labs website for product information
These are not cheesy interconnects. They are only $100 for a 1 meter pair, and many reviewers on the web say they sound like cables 3x or 6x their price. I can see ("hear") that.
They are very well built, and nothing really fancy to look at.
But they certainly have a nice sound. They do have silver plated conductors. TFE insulation, shielding, the works.
Sound? NOT cheap! With most equipment, you will hear a vast difference over standard Radio Shack interconnects. My main comparison cable was the Straightwire Encore II interconnects, which I really like (also about $100 for a 1 meter pair).
The Silversonics are bright. No doubt about it. They emphasize high-mids to high's. Good detail. Hard to really place detail, as the highs are emphasized that much.
The Silversonics are like Grado headphones...brighter is better? That being your taste. The Encore II's are more like Sennheiser 600's.....delicate sound, smooth detail. Good comparison. DH Labs like the Grado's sound, the Encore II's like a 580/600.
Both good, both different.
If you have good equipment, the BL-1's may improve things. If you have cheaper equipment, you may hear things you don't want to hear
.I tried the BL-1's in three places:
1) Between Acurus preamp and amp. Did not like the sound. A bit of high end glare. Too much for my taste.
2) Between Rega Planet CD player (which already has a mild, laid back sound) and Acurus preamp. Again, just a bit much with bright CD's. Too much for my taste there.
3) Between Acurus preamp and Pioneer CD recorder deck. Now there it has it's uses. The Pioneer, when it records, loses just a touch of bass and highs. The BL-1 there in the record line brings the highs up just about right. Not enough to have the "glare" of previous installations. I will keep the BL-1's there for a few recordings. One bright Vivaldi "Four Seasons" recording (LP) came out ok!
I use some "laid back" speakers too, Vandersteen IICE Signatures. I think the mild "glare" of the BL-1's might be a bit much for brighter speakers.
So the Silversonics are good interconnects, with a definite sound characteristic. Slight brightness. Of course, this may be good. I am no equipment expert. I, UGH, "just like what I like"
.It's strickly a matter of taste, not quality. The BL-1's are good interconnects, and may be fabulous for your system. They are far and away better than most other interconnects in their price range, and more. But a bit bright for me. I may still return them.
I personally prefer my Straightwire Encore II's (no, I don't work for Straightwire).
You can get the BL-1 cable in bulk, very cheap (for good cable). For DIY or long cable runs, this may be an excellent option.
Good stuff. But not for me.
