skyd171
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2008
- Posts
- 57
- Likes
- 14
I want to write a more extensive review but there isn't really much to write about.
The bottom line is I A/B'd between the interconnects for about 30 minutes straight. I have a SE846's w silver aftermarket cabling powered by a portaphile amp connected to a ODAC via a $20 monster cable and wanted to A/B test that with Victoria AQ and Sydney AQ IC's.
It was mind numbing as I had to find a track with the right dynamics for my test. Then I would switch interconnects and repeat the same song at the exact same point and try to hear differences. I got the Sydneys on accident due to the clerk making and error, in addition got the Victorias. When i Took out the victorias I was suprised to see this massive battery pack on the side of the IC's when i opened the box. Some technology called DBS that's supposed to reduce interference or something technical like that.
Anyhow, after doing this for what felt like forever, I finally heard the difference between the cables. is it worth the 230 dollar premium to get the Victorias? Honestly, if you don't care about money (anyone?) then drop the extra 230. There is a bit of increased clarity/reduced distortion with the more expensive Victorias vs the cheaper monsters. I then went between the Syndey's and the Victorias. The difference was pretty much impossible for me to pick out, despite the massive battery pack thing sitting on the side of the Vics. Even though the gimmicky pack thing makes me feel like I'm listening to higher quality, my ears have difficulty truly picking out differences between the two AQ's. So that tells me the cheaper Syndey's win here.
Here's the thing, if you have SE846's or other IEM's with customizable cables, I definitely found a much bigger difference in sound by switching the stock SE846 cables with silver ones from Headphone Lounge for 200. The difference there is way more noticeable. With these audioquest interconnects vs the monster however, I would say the difference is certainly there, but you're spending anywhere near a quarter of a thousand dollars, for that price I want to be floored by the difference. If there is enough demand I will post more detailed comments on the differences and my initial impressions, but hopefully this aids anyone who is wondering if these high quality interconnects are worth it. Again, if you have like 10k sitting in the bank and 230 bucks is pennies to you, then by all means blow your cash. You'll hear a slight to decent improvement in clarity. If you're cash sensitive, drop the 230 elsewhere, maybe on a better dac, headphones or something like that. The interconnect, as mentioned other places, is the very last thing you should upgrade if you are searching for better sound. If i were to quantify it, if the Monsters are 20, I would spend 80 on the Sydneys and 80 on the victorias. their prices are a bit much for the level of improvement.
The bottom line is I A/B'd between the interconnects for about 30 minutes straight. I have a SE846's w silver aftermarket cabling powered by a portaphile amp connected to a ODAC via a $20 monster cable and wanted to A/B test that with Victoria AQ and Sydney AQ IC's.
It was mind numbing as I had to find a track with the right dynamics for my test. Then I would switch interconnects and repeat the same song at the exact same point and try to hear differences. I got the Sydneys on accident due to the clerk making and error, in addition got the Victorias. When i Took out the victorias I was suprised to see this massive battery pack on the side of the IC's when i opened the box. Some technology called DBS that's supposed to reduce interference or something technical like that.
Anyhow, after doing this for what felt like forever, I finally heard the difference between the cables. is it worth the 230 dollar premium to get the Victorias? Honestly, if you don't care about money (anyone?) then drop the extra 230. There is a bit of increased clarity/reduced distortion with the more expensive Victorias vs the cheaper monsters. I then went between the Syndey's and the Victorias. The difference was pretty much impossible for me to pick out, despite the massive battery pack thing sitting on the side of the Vics. Even though the gimmicky pack thing makes me feel like I'm listening to higher quality, my ears have difficulty truly picking out differences between the two AQ's. So that tells me the cheaper Syndey's win here.
Here's the thing, if you have SE846's or other IEM's with customizable cables, I definitely found a much bigger difference in sound by switching the stock SE846 cables with silver ones from Headphone Lounge for 200. The difference there is way more noticeable. With these audioquest interconnects vs the monster however, I would say the difference is certainly there, but you're spending anywhere near a quarter of a thousand dollars, for that price I want to be floored by the difference. If there is enough demand I will post more detailed comments on the differences and my initial impressions, but hopefully this aids anyone who is wondering if these high quality interconnects are worth it. Again, if you have like 10k sitting in the bank and 230 bucks is pennies to you, then by all means blow your cash. You'll hear a slight to decent improvement in clarity. If you're cash sensitive, drop the 230 elsewhere, maybe on a better dac, headphones or something like that. The interconnect, as mentioned other places, is the very last thing you should upgrade if you are searching for better sound. If i were to quantify it, if the Monsters are 20, I would spend 80 on the Sydneys and 80 on the victorias. their prices are a bit much for the level of improvement.
