I'll start by thanking
Sebastien Chiu for giving me the chance to try these two Effect Audio cables:
1)
Effect Audio Code 24
2)
Effect Audio Code 24 C. Limited
Let's start with aesthetics. Given that I think this cable is (obviously a demo) it was not finished in all its "aesthetic" details and they were sent to me in cardboard packaging. Therefore not in their original box/packaging. Apparently in terms of external construction and measurements they are very similar, in addition to the fact that the
Code 24 is BLUE in color and the
Code 24 C. Limited is PURPLE in color.
List prices: $799 for the Code 24 (Blue) and $499 for the Code 24 C.L. The previous Code 23 cost $599.
Aesthetically, the two cables have very bright and shiny colors. To my taste, the purple color is very beautiful. I noticed a certain rigidity in both. Especially in the curvature that passes above the ears. Pins (maybe...and I mean MAYBE) slightly shorter than "normal". But I repeat: What was sent to me is a demo, so it may be that certain "details" have been put in the background.
I tested the two cables mainly with L&P LP6 Ti and LPGT Ti. And I must say that the results were very similar, in the sense that the two cables maintained their respective peculiarities more or less in both daps in the same way. The comparison was made with: Fir Audio RN6 (with its stock cable) and with Noble Viking Ragnar (with its stock cable). I preferred to focus attention on the test with L&P LP6 Ti, as the best performance of the two Effect Audio cables was reflected more with L6P than with Lotoo.
Let's go…………….
FIR AUDIO RN6 – Effect Audio Code 24 (Blue):
On the low range I noticed a stronger "thud" than the stock cable. The scene appears slightly more closed (but RN6 itself is quite "open") so it is a subtlety that can be grasped with certain listenings and with certain recordings. The sound with Code 24 acquires much, much more body (which is a small deficiency that I personally have always found in the excellent stock cable). The sound is also more structured across the entire sound spectrum, but is more noticeable on notes in the low range. Female voices with Code 24 appear to be a little further forward and are noticeably clearer and brighter. The midrange (like part of the low range) is a little warmer. Compared to the original cable, the Code 24 pays off in speed and clarity. Overall the sound is less open, as I had already written, but it is less dispersive and more "centralized" in the head.
FIR AUDIO RN6 – Effect Audio Code 24 C. Limited (purple):
The low range is lighter than both the stock cable and Code 24. But the attacks are faster and clearer. You can clearly feel each shot a little clearer and more sculpted. The midrange is overall more forward. The high range is faster and clearer (compared to stock and Code24) and faster. The body of the entire sound is excellent at 360°, which remains very similar to the Code 24. The Code 24 C. Limited is especially striking for being more open than the Code 24 but always less open than the stock cable.
NOBLE VIKING RAGNAR – Effect Audio Code 24 (Blue):
Low range a little further back than the stock cable. But sculpted and without smudges or continuation of the notes. It has (again) more body than the stock cable. However, it remains less clear and less fast... and I would like to point out that this (for many) could be an advantage, because I often hear people complain about Ragnar's "limitation" which lies in too much clarity and speed (but for me personally the stock cable I like it for this reason, but it remains a completely subjective evaluation). Even the Code 24 voices remain just a little behind the stock cable. However, the mid and medium/high range improves and acquires more body (as in RN6). The Code 24 is (in my opinion) compatible with the original cable if you want more body in the midrange and less speed. Here too... the scene remains a little narrower than the stock cable.
This confirms that Code 24 in both RN6 and Viking Ragnar has still maintained his character, without getting upset.
NOBLE VIKING RAGNAR – Effect Audio Code 24 C. Limited (purple):
At first glance, the openness of the Code 24 C is clear. Limited has more body than Code 24. The voices are very nice, clear but never intrusive. Slightly older than the original cable. The Code 24 C. Limited however loses something in terms of speed: therefore the Code 24 C. Limited is slower than the stock cable, but faster than the Code 24 (on Viking Ragnar). In the high range, the Code 24 C. Limited is very pleasant, even if it loses just a little in clarity, but it gains body, on a high range (like that of Viking Ragnar) which makes it really more beautiful than it already is with the stock cable . To my great surprise! I come to say one thing: Before now I had never had (as MY limit) the tiring high range of Viking Ragnar. Code 24 C. Limited makes it that much more "harmonious" to perceive a more "smoothed", "persuasive" listening experience. The impact of the sound as a whole is less "WOW" than the performance of the stock cable, but makes it more qualitative, finer in grain. I'll say it again: Maybe I prefer (on Viking Ragnar) the Code 24 C. Limited certainly to the Code 24, but also to the stock cable.
STUPENDOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
