Comparing AMP Interconnect Silver Upgrades - Silver/Gold/Basic by onest11

Having read great things about the better sound from an upgrade silver amp interconnect cable, I decided to forgo the cheap interconnect that came with my BH2 amp and replace it with a pure silver cable from ebay seller onest11. I was delighted with the sound and especially the improved looks and thought nothing more about it. Jealous of sorensiim’s new mini DIY minimalistic cable I decided to upgrade again to a right angle plug to eliminate the snag issue from having the cord stick straight out. This time I purchased a Mundorf silver/gold right angle interconnect from the same seller. Then it occurred to me that I would have loved to have found a review of the three before I purchase them. So here is a simple review for the forum.
 
This is what I am comparing:
 

1. C&C BH2 Portable Headphone AMP – included interconnect cable ($3?)
   http://www.amazon.com/BH2-Portable-Headphone-battery-Version/dp/B00A2QJSBO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386407794&sr=8-2&keywords=bh2
2. Pure Silver stereo cable 3.5mm jack to jack ($40.88):
   http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pure-Silver-stereo-cable-3-5mm-jack-to-jack-/281219076877?pt=UK_MP3_Player_Accessories_Cables_Adapters&hash=item4179f6930d
3. MUNDORF Silver/Gold jack to jack stereo cable ($57.23):
   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=281206005483&ssPageName=STRK:MERFB:IID

 



 
 
My go to portable setup is my DX50/BH2 combo powering my Hidition NT6 Pros. The NT6 Pros are detail monsters that are very transparent and will showcase the differences well. To keep the review short and simple, I simply used my audiophile playlist of my best known songs to play a dozen songs while switching randomly between the interconnects to see if I could hear any differences.
 
Here are my conclusions:

• One is not like the others: While it is not a day and night difference, the basic cable didn’t sound as good as the others. To be fair, I could be quite happy playing the basic cable until I hear it compared, but when compared it sounded thin and constricted. The bass notes lost their meatiness, the notes sounded thinner, and the sound stage collapsed. The others just seemed to transmit the sound much more effortlessly.
• Splitting hairs: The differences between the silver and the silver/gold is down to splitting hairs. There are no obvious differences.  If forced to find a difference, it might be that the gold adds some warmth as mentioned elsewhere, but it could just be the power of suggestion.
• It’s all about the looks: The upgrade in looks justifies the additional money by itself while the little better sound makes you feel a little better about spending it. No, I wouldn’t ever go back to the included stock cable, but that is mostly ego talking. But yes, it does sound 15 to 25% better with the upgrade from stock. I’m sure mileage will vary depending on your stock cable.
• Finally got it right: The right angle plug is much more practical than the straight plugs. Not only do they look cleaner and better, they could end the accidental disconnect headache and allow a better fit into any carrying case.
• More is not better: With this review, I highly doubt that spending $300 more on a similar short cable will obtain better results - unless it is sprinkled with pixy dust or made from unobtainium of course, but that is highly unlikely.

 
Please don’t forget that everything that I just wrote is merely my opinion. Others may see it differently.

Nice comparison...
I was thinking about getting the MUNDORF Silver/Gold but I think I'll just get the Pure Silver stereo cable...
Plus I think it looks cooler...

Excellent.

I myself use onest11's cables, I'm terribly fond of his pure silver interconnect, which we compared to AudioMinors offerings, both members preferred onest11's, we found it made a noticeable difference over AudioMinors silver which was rather bassy, where as onest11's cable noticeably increased air and soundstage. I can also agree with Barra's impressions. I think one thing often over looked (especially for newer members) is the amount of difference a cable will make. For some milking that final 15-20% is well worth their time. I find onest11's silver cable also gives the timbre a slightly "silvery" feel, it gives it some shimmer or an edge to the sound. I was going to try his silver/gold and still may do so, I'm simply overly happy with his silver version. 

Btw: He will make them to order with which ever jacks and length you like: (within reason)
Just need to msg him on eBay, often his silver cables aren't listed but a quick msg lets you place an order.

h20fidelity said:

Excellent.


I myself use onest11's cables, I'm terribly fond of his pure silver interconnect, which we compared to AudioMinors offerings, both members preferred onest11's, we found it made a noticeable difference over AudioMinors silver which was rather bassy, where as onest11's cable noticeably increased air and soundstage. I can also agree with Barra's impressions. I think one thing often over looked (especially for newer members) is the amount of difference a cable will make. For some milking that final 15-20% is well worth their time. I find onest11's silver cable also gives the timbre a slightly "silvery" feel, it gives it some shimmer or an edge to the sound. I was going to try his silver/gold and still may do so, I'm simply overly happy with his silver version. 


Btw: He will make them to order with which ever jacks and length you like: (within reason)

Just need to msg him on eBay, often his silver cables aren't listed but a quick msg lets you place an order.

Click to expand...

If you are considering the right angled gold mix to use with your bh2, please note that although less cumbersome, the loop does tend to block the volume when paired with the c3 aligning the line in / line out.

barra said:

If you are considering the right angled gold mix to use with your bh2, please note that although less cumbersome, the loop does tend to block the volume when paired with the c3 aligning the line in / line out.

Click to expand...

I understand what you're saying, I'd go for straight jacks. He can also shorten the right angle jacks too. I don't have a photo handy atm, I'll edit one In when I'm online at a computer.

Edit:

It had been a while (7 months since my last post here). I hadn't spoken to Onest in a while. Today I contacted him asking if he was still making cables in which he replied "Of Course". I asked him about a cable I've never tried before from him, a silver plated cable. About 3 hours later I received a reply and a picture. Being a sucker for cables also needing one at the time I couldn't help but pull the trigger. Here's some photo's of his silver plated cable..




 




I'll report in once it arrives, though I love the form factor and appearance.

He said this is the most flexible cable he's every worked with as he demonstrated to me making a horseshoe.

The x5 pairs so well with my nt6 pro that I haven't used my amp in a long time so my interconnects have gone unused. But I would like to try some new ciem cables. I have been hearing about hybrid cables that seem to have cool effects. They have separate pure copper and silver cables attached to each channel for the characteristics of both.

barra said:

The x5 pairs so well with my nt6 pro that I haven't used my amp in a long time so my interconnects have gone unused. But I would like to try some new ciem cables. I have been hearing about hybrid cables that seem to have cool effects. They have separate pure copper and silver cables attached to each channel for the characteristics of both.

Click to expand...

Sending my address via PM now to hand them over.