Penon Totem Ultra 4.4mm Balanced Male to 4.4mm Balanced Male/Female Audio Cable Interconnect Cable
Redcarmoose Labs May 7th, 2025
Introduction:
The TOTEM ULTRA is an attempt to offer the public the very best audiophile interconnect available. Such a device can be ordered two ways. One as an interconnect to join your device to an amplifier with 4.4mm male plug to 4.4mm male plug. Or as 4.4mm male to 4.4mm female, to go in front of your IEM cable between the DAP and the cable. It is also foreseeable that a person could use (2 cables) renditions of the TOTEM ULTRA at the same time.
Why?
1) Palladium
2) Gold
3) Copper
4) Silver
Palladium:
While most rare metals have been around for 1000s of years in mankind’s use, Palladium is a new one. Discovered in 1803, it was named after asteroid Pallas, itself named after Pallas Athena. Simply-put this stuff Palladium belongs to the Platinum Group of Metals, or PGMs. Believe it or not, Palladium is the most expensive of the four major precious metals, more expensive than even gold at more than $1800.00 an ounce. In the TOTEM ULTRA the Palladium is used to plate the Silver elements in the cable build and enhances imaging and detail. Note the diagram here. The very very center is single crystal Copper plated with Gold, the exterior is again Silver plated single crystal Copper. The Palladium rests in the center plated to a pure Silver cable. With this smorgasbord of precious metals, no wonder it doesn’t make stuff brighter or darker. It’s truly a Frankenstein’s Monster of a cable creation. Now it does kinda have a tone, at least it sounds different than any cable I’ve used?
I want to give my idea as to why some people believe in cables and some don’t. Think of it this way.................if you have any experience in audio you have built a house on basic beliefs. So starting from the foundation you sculpted your ideas based on both science and previous experience, which you believe hold truths. Such build-ups can be like anything you know, as layers and layers of knowledge and experience build-up. One direction is to believe cables do nothing to affect the sound when put between a DAP and an IEM. Some people don’t hear any difference between cables, then they refer to science and science reconfirms their understanding. This goes on for years as they try new stuff, and eventually they stop experimenting and become crystallized in their cable beliefs. The believers go the opposite route, they believe not all phenomena can be tested, and keep finding changes due to cable build methodology. Finally they commingle into groups of other like minded people which will go on to substantiate their beliefs. Though the interesting part, is many (almost all) have the exact same sound results from the exact same cable, regardless of learning what the others had (experienced) before testing. And.....same with the Totem, all the believers, ended having the exact same ideas of sound improvement in daily testing, thus all this comes down to the same results in the end.
The difference from the original TOTEM Adapter cable you ask?
The original has 2 shares of wire and the TOTEM ULTRA has 4, plus a new style silver plated plug!
This is kind of the trend now, that it was not foreseeable in 2020 that IEM cables would become so big. More material means better transmission of signal. In fact I deal with this change all the time. Meaning there is a proven (to myself) change whenever they double-up this material, and at times it doesn’t matter what the cable make-up is. Meaning Penon released the ASOS Audiophile IEM cable. Then they made a few changes and released it again with different Purple plugs and Purple 2Pin connectors and called it the ASOS+. Us listeners noted Penon was attempting to add warmth, and note-weight to the signal. Then the unthinkable happened. Yep, Penon went and changed the amount of transfer material used.
A regular cable has only enough wire to maintain the signal, enough said. Cut one open and see for yourself, you will be amazed at the hair-like wire results, I was!
Size matters here:
A perfect example here of more material in action is the Penon ASOS, ASOS+ and ASOS+X cables………..
ASOS+X is 12 strands, 25 cores alloy copper silver-plated + 99 cores single crystal copper silver-plated wire mixed.
ASOS and ASOS+ is 8 strands, 25 cores alloy copper silver-plated + 99 cores single crystal copper silver-plated wire mixed.
More material means more sound to your ears, it is almost that simple.
So in a nutshell the addition of extra material simply gathers more signal. This replay makes the stage bigger and adds note-weight…….in reality provides realism by simply getting you a little closer to music. This phenomenon happens everyday with cables. The generic cable that comes with a cheap IEM can be taken apart and viewed for its minimal signal carrying material.
The point here is that adding material gets a better signal transferred. The character of that signal depends on the style of material used. Meaning, sure we can use 100% copper, only the signal will offer just what (regularly) copper does by itself day-in and day-out, which is to add warmth and stage girth. Adding silver can enhance brightness and detail, as well as take on stage size. Gold adds a rich tone……..and the actual configuration of these build metals affects the final outcome.
To Quote Dsnuts:
“Totem is made of what is essentially 3 different types of cables in one. Single crystal copper Litz 6 in silver plating. Palladium plated pure silver. Single crystal copper plated in pure gold then finished off with a stage enhancing OFC copper plated in silver for plugs and connectors.
The mish mash of material blend here adds some substantial effects to a well balanced IEM and when you double the core count. This only enhances the sound to a greater degree.”
https://penonaudio.com/penon-totem-adapter-cable.html
The original Totem Adapter you can still buy for $62.50.
As such this cable offers both 2.5mm and 3.5mm plugs, which the ULTRA does not.
Original TOTEM
Penon Totem 3.5mm Audio /2.5mm Balanced /4.4mm Balanced Adapter Cable
Description
2 shares, 334 cores per share
Single crystal copper silver-plated Litz type6 & Palladium-plated pure silver & Single crystal copper plated with pure gold
Available type:
4.4mm Balanced Male to 2.5mm Balanced Female
4.4mm Balanced Male to 4.4mm Balanced Female
2.5mm Balanced Male to 2.5mm Balanced Female
3.5mm Audio Male to 3.5mm Audio Female
3.5mm Audio Male to 2.5mm Balanced Female
The TOTEM ULTRA Interconnect or Adapter Cable
Description
Single crystal copper silver-plated Litz 6 + Palladium-plated pure silver + Single crystal copper plated with pure gold.
4 shares, 334 cores per share
Black PVC with red color glitter powder coating
Outer diameter: 2.8mm
Plug: 4.4mm balanced OFC silver-plated
Length: about 10cm (without plugs)
Available type:
4.4mm Balanced Male to 4.4mm Balanced Male
4.4mm Balanced Male to 4.4mm Balanced Female
Left to right is shown for size comparison, the OS133 Adapter, the TOTEM grounding Sony Adapter, the original TOTEM and the ULTRA.
So what is the Penon TOTEM ULTRA Cable?
Well we just went over that. But to simplify things, the ULTRA brings about a clarity and realism to the signal. This style of enhancement comes about through separation and tonal changes. Meaning if items heard are slightly repositioned inside the head-stage……………..a better opportunity is acquired to perceive them. Literally everything becomes more visceral, with better layering coming from a blacker background. I like to use the word big here, as that to me is the first and foremost noticeability is a larger stage.
Inside that stage items show extra note-weight and layering. There is part of this that is hard to describe, but to do my best……..each component in the music takes on an added character. Meaning (sure) it’s just more real sounding, but the character of each component holds better tonal and texture separation.
Who is it for?
The TOTEM ULTRA is for really anyone and anytime. Though I found some set-ups had a more dramatic outcome. Meaning if a cable had a component of its sound that was way out front, like a more silver cable, those tones and the stage positioning became that much more noticeably affected. Where I like to place products into groups. Where the ASOS+X is one of my single most favorite cables to use. Sure, the ASOS+X is better with some DAP and IEM combos than other set-ups. And to compare the Pyramid VIII is also one of my single favorite cables. Yet in reality the two differ in character. Meaning the ASOS+X is of a larger and wider stage output. Though the Pyramid VIII has better details in sections as it is not as airy nor as high energy as the ASOS+X.
The Pyramid VIII has a more down to earth sound, with more realism and less ASOS+X air.
Now the kicker is put the ASOS+X on an IEM that asks for a juice-up of upper-midrange and treble and reap the rewards, where the Pyramid VIII adds realism, but holds a more real-life tone by switching copper and silver alloys for the extra silver amount inside the ASOS+X. So neither is really dark or bright here, as always we are dealing with a balanced audiophile tone, one that gets broad acceptance due to the carefulness of tune.
Still with-in that idea, there are some IEMs which do better with the Pyramid VIII, some better with the ASOS+X and some IEMs that are so very balanced they go great with both cables.
The full-size TOTEM Cable won the listening tests:
What does this have to do with the TOTEM? Well my friends, after prolonged listening I then switched the cable on the various IEMs to the original full-size TOTEM cable. And once more the whole cable added exactly what I described in the previous paragraph, a deeper background, containing extra textures and details, though those details were more of a smoother idea than with a pure silver cable. Also more detailed and more separated than what could be found normally with a pure copper cable. So Penon is in the kitchen and cooking up grand dishes here, adding just the right ingredients to provide musical immersion. I have not heard the full-size Penon TOTEM ULTRA cable, but the old standby full-size original TOTEM is the very best cable I own without exception.
Testing:
You will probably appreciate the fact that I didn’t end up using 20 user combinations of IEMs and cables to have the TOTEM ULTRA joined to. Meaning we all have different gear, and what is important is to get the overall character improvement from the TOTEM ULTRA documented. There are themes here………often parallel results between a few IEMs and cables, but what ends up being important is to try and isolate the positive results and report on them in writing.
We don’t need endless tests to do this reporting, but testing is fun and educational. What I mean is there may be a union of cable, IEM and TOTEM ULTRA adapter that I would not normally try out. Also end results which could not be planned, the outcome is different than what is guessed. Once in a while I’m surprised at what I find out to be true.
Also remember that the whole grouping is what gives the final results here. Meaning the DAP, the cable, the IEM and possibly the EQ, though I don’t use EQ. That these sonic changes about to be investigated are also found to be parallel across a good part of the Head-Fi community. Remember the TOTEM and TOTEM ULTRA can be found in many variations. As such the original TOTEM can have many different connectors as well as an Adapter or Interconnect. So there are many in positive use scenarios already!
Though we can concentrate here on adding a flavor. Meaning Dsnuts in his TOTEM ULTRA full-size cable review talked about a slight color which comes about by adding 2X the amount of ULTRA added gold.
This extra richness may not be preferred, thus adding a portion of the richness to the front-end of a cable you already like ends a benefit.
So you would be doing exactly like I’m doing here with your TOTEM ULTRA possibly. Finding a combination you already use and finding out if adding a section of TOTEM magic helps make the replay even better.
So just for fun, let’s try out a full-size headphone and a bright IEM and a brighter cable. Lets find out if the 14.5mm Planar coaxial combined with a 50mm DD in the Kiwi ears Atheia shows a difference from just using the GranVia pure OFC aftermarket cable!
Also the brighter cable with a bright IEM:
What I’m getting at is when outreaches of treble and midrange energy are noticeable anyway, let’s try to boost them with an even brighter cable than we would normally use, then try to sculpt the tone back a little with the TOTEM ULTRA adapter cable. Now this may give you ideas as to combinations you already have at your fingertips, but already know such a combo would be a no-go.
You see a slight smoothing does take place, except the TOTEM ULTRA is more, meaning there is an added blackness of background and stage size increase that seems to open-up the results and add entertainment factors, all while becoming even more natural than just the cable and full-size headphone or IEM was.
Test one:
Kiwi ears Atheia to Tripowin GranVia cable to TOTEM ULTRA to Sony WM1A DAP:
Crazy at it sounds the same magic obtained with IEMs can at times be brought to full-size headphones. Here we have the coaxial Kiwi ears Atheia 50mm DD X 14.5mm Planar headphone plus the aftermarket 4.4mm x 2 3.5mm cable called the GranVia by Tripowin. Such a cable regularly adds stage and warmth over the Kiwi ears Atheia included cable. This is obtained from a GranVia 26AWG wire in a Litz configuration, plus 36 strands of 4 core. Such an OFC build follows the tried and true idea (of sound) for a copper aftermarket cable. Now the crazy part here is the Atheia is a highly colored headphone, yet colored in a good way, at least I think so? As such my favorite combo is using it with the Sony WM1A. For the most part I never use the Sony DAP for full-size headphones. Reason being the extra damping juice obtained from a desktop normally brings (better) extra transients and clearer bass tones to the headphone ability. Only with this tune they (Kiwi ears) have added a prominent mid-bass emphasis, with less sub-bass and lower-midrange.
They have also created a peak at 2kHz to 3kHz……then the upper treble starts to roll-off almost completely. This combo of tuning actually sounds great with the Sony WM1A even though it is close to being maxed out in power usage (at 92 to 99 clicks out of a possible 120). In fact for my uses I would say I have found a surprising synergy here. In comes the TOTEM ULTRA. Now in this usage the results are small but definitely there……..and the more you hear the changes the more prominent they become. This change takes place because the TOTEM ULTRA is the very first part of the signal chain after the amplifier. What is happening here is the TOTEM ULTRA is raising definition and detail somehow. I will typically start off with drums and cymbals to try and understand this change. Meaning I’m looking for extra pizazz in the formation of clarity in how the cymbals are separated, and how they hold extra edges of contrast in relation to the GranVia used alone. Such an add-on to an already large cable seems to blend in with the ergonomics. This audible added stage space size and texture relief creation is satisfying and special. Is that maybe from the 14.5mm Planar driver, maybe it is just the pure OFC GranVia cable is asking for this treatment? Whatever the reason for the event, it is good and the way I will always use the Atheia full-size headphone………….who knew? As such the Atheia has a perfect form factor for laying horizontal, plus with minimal internal noise escaping, you will not disturb others.
Test two:
With that out of the way we are now entering the danger zone. Yep…….
Noble Kaiser Encore K-10 Universal IEM to the Penon OS849 in 4.4mm to the TOTEM ULTRA to the Sony WM1A DAP:
HA, yes I’m looking for trouble, not from the TOTEM ULTRA, in fact I’m looking for any smoothness that the TOTEM ULTRA can bring to the table. You see weeks back when I started the TOTEM ULTRA tests I used this same cable with noticeable results. All the points we already talked about, which includes blackness of background, a smoother idea of a stage placed into increased textures from using the OS849 by itself.
Only now I’m using an IEM that owns a big treble shelf.
See that 6kHz energy? It doesn’t matter who measures the Encore, the results are always the same. But, but to me with the right upstream signal this is a style of heaven. Sure I purchased the Encore for $1850.00 back in 2018, and maybe I’m holding onto it for sentimental reasons, but I made a promise to myself to keep the Noble IEM for my lifetime. Years and years of attempting to smooth-out that peak, and bring blackness of background to open-up visibility into the bass realms. And you know what? The full-on TOTEM is the best cable I have used with the Kaiser Encore. But what about this adapter?
The Noble Audio K-10 Kaiser Encore:
Brisk, can I use that word? Brisk and holding large amounts of treble spatial energy. The TOTEM ULTRA makes the signal louder. HA. The ULTRA brings the stage both more forward and wider. Now the items inside that stage hold a closer focus……..items are a little more dense? While this OS849 is not maybe the best cable I have for Encore replay, it is still really really good and holds that classic aftermarket sonic values for the customer.
What I’m trying to say is many still today would find the extra upper midrange and treble emphasis of the OS849 to be awakening in tone over the typical included cable.
Yet as we roll on in this review we will learn Penon as a cable builder also learned a thing or two about being able to still bring about this stage size and even increase it, with a slightly smoother (than the OS849) idea of silver and copper alloy.
So here we are looking at a wonderful OS849 cable that is still very valuable today, and this cable could be the cats meow on a few IEMs that need this energy boost! The crazy part is as this day goes on I actually adapt to this brighter idea of life in the bright lane! That the Encore will always do these tricks with 10BAs that I still haven’t found anywhere else! To end this description I would say that besides blackness of background the TOTEM ULTRA adds separation and contrasts, as maybe the best attributes here?
Penon ASOS+:
8 shares of 25 cores copper silver-plated + 99 cores single crystal copper copper mixed (Litz & SPC) with Purple 2Pins and plugs.
Penon ASOS+X:
12 shares of 25 cores copper silver-plated + 99 cores single crystal copper copper mixed (Litz & SPC) with Purple 2Pins and plugs.
Test three:
ISN H60:
The ASOS+X is one of my favorite cables even though when compared with the original TOTEM you can start to understand the lower imaging blackness and extra detail that the full-size TOTEM cable simply does 24/7. Adding the TOTEM ULTRA Adapter has given me a window into a slight extra detail in the drums that I never heard before with this track and ISN H60. What I am trying to say is the recording engineer has placed a breath onto the transient edge of the drum attack and I have heard it for the first time. Now that I know it is there I will always hear it. This as a first is really a big deal as I have used this song for years but never noticed it. Is it from the TOTEM ULTRA or the DAP used, or the ASOS+X or the ISN H60? Really who knows why, and it is what it is. Still to describe the Penon ASOS+X, it is in many ways like the TOTEM cable. In that Penon are taking the original TOTEM sound and using it as their TOTL Flagship tone, then trying to emulate it into various renditions of new ASOS products. Let me put it this way, I just did an IEM review with a smooth treble, yet I didn’t really realize how very smooth it was until I placed the ASOS+X in the combination. Where sure Penon is exploiting silver alloy in stage size here, and by the way, the stage is some of the very biggest in my whole cable collection, even bigger than the more expensive Pyramid VIII. So really back to basics the ASOS+X is both big staged and creating giant imaging, still created with smoothness and long listening times. Where in my testing previously the TOTEM ULTRA was not obviously able to make the OS849 become the ASOS+X, but that’s another story.
The ASOS+X has still an airy upper midrange that is propelled into the full extensions of stage width with the ISN H60. The H60 is very upper midrange focused anyway which allows for such ideas to be found. But the money here and the reason I would get the TOTEM ULTRA if I had the ISN H60 and ASOS+X is due to an increase in note density for one. That also there is this slight sculpturing of instruments that along with the thickness of notes adds realism. Remember Penon as a company has been always steering the ASOS. Meaning they came out with the first ASOS, then added Purple plugs and 2Pins and called it the ASOS+.
The way they are working with the ASOS idea.........to add-on note-density, warmth and realism. So the ASOS+X is Penon adding material which causes a bigger stage along with this note-weight, only adding the TOTEM ULTRA (to the ASOS+X) adds even more note-weight resulting in an increase in realism.
Conclusion:
To keep things simple, the end results are really the same every time. Added note-density along with a style of depth into the stage, somehow creating extra distance between notes and sound objects. This extra added clarity is always welcomed and never off or wrong or creating havoc like putting the wrong cable with a DAP and IEM combination.
Are there ways to get the same benefits while using simply a different plug material on a modular plug? I would guess no, as there is less metal used, and not a giant 10cm length X 4 shares, 334 cores per share resulting in 2.8mm diameter! Also those simple plugs do work (to a point) as proven by just adding Purple 2Pins and a Purple Copper plug to the ASOS to make the ASOS+.
3D:
Yet there is a quality to the TOTEM which has always been there, and to describe it makes sense to just use the word 3D. Yep, there are extra ramifications here that means instruments and vocals are now repositioned inside the stage, the stage is bigger, but there is more texture to the whole signal. More mountain ranges, more valleys and more space in-between elements. This factor is more noticeable of a character the more years I use the original TOTEM cable. Taking the original TOTEM interconnect or adapter and doubling it up brings just that much more drama to the camp.
Quickly going back and placing the original light blue 2 share TOTEM Adapter onto the front of the ASOS+X cable and ISN EBC80.....then switching to the 4 share ULTRA model we find….its laughably louder. HA! But more than that the sound is somehow closer and wider in stance, brought about into forwardness as well as sculpturing. What I’m trying to say is the ISN EBC80 is one of my all-time favorite IEMs, and I didn’t think improvement was possible, but comparing the original TOTEM adapter to this 2X more ULTRA material adapter makes perfect sense, at least to my ears?
$119.00
https://penonaudio.com/PENON-Totem-Ultra-Audio-Cable
Disclaimer:
The TOTEM ULTRA Audio Cable has had 10 days of burn-in.
Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the Penon TOTEM ULTRA adapter review sample.
Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.
Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman’s Firmware 4.4mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman’s Firmware 4.4mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03 4.4mm
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
Redcarmoose Labs May 7th, 2025
Introduction:
The TOTEM ULTRA is an attempt to offer the public the very best audiophile interconnect available. Such a device can be ordered two ways. One as an interconnect to join your device to an amplifier with 4.4mm male plug to 4.4mm male plug. Or as 4.4mm male to 4.4mm female, to go in front of your IEM cable between the DAP and the cable. It is also foreseeable that a person could use (2 cables) renditions of the TOTEM ULTRA at the same time.
Why?
1) Palladium
2) Gold
3) Copper
4) Silver
Palladium:
While most rare metals have been around for 1000s of years in mankind’s use, Palladium is a new one. Discovered in 1803, it was named after asteroid Pallas, itself named after Pallas Athena. Simply-put this stuff Palladium belongs to the Platinum Group of Metals, or PGMs. Believe it or not, Palladium is the most expensive of the four major precious metals, more expensive than even gold at more than $1800.00 an ounce. In the TOTEM ULTRA the Palladium is used to plate the Silver elements in the cable build and enhances imaging and detail. Note the diagram here. The very very center is single crystal Copper plated with Gold, the exterior is again Silver plated single crystal Copper. The Palladium rests in the center plated to a pure Silver cable. With this smorgasbord of precious metals, no wonder it doesn’t make stuff brighter or darker. It’s truly a Frankenstein’s Monster of a cable creation. Now it does kinda have a tone, at least it sounds different than any cable I’ve used?
I want to give my idea as to why some people believe in cables and some don’t. Think of it this way.................if you have any experience in audio you have built a house on basic beliefs. So starting from the foundation you sculpted your ideas based on both science and previous experience, which you believe hold truths. Such build-ups can be like anything you know, as layers and layers of knowledge and experience build-up. One direction is to believe cables do nothing to affect the sound when put between a DAP and an IEM. Some people don’t hear any difference between cables, then they refer to science and science reconfirms their understanding. This goes on for years as they try new stuff, and eventually they stop experimenting and become crystallized in their cable beliefs. The believers go the opposite route, they believe not all phenomena can be tested, and keep finding changes due to cable build methodology. Finally they commingle into groups of other like minded people which will go on to substantiate their beliefs. Though the interesting part, is many (almost all) have the exact same sound results from the exact same cable, regardless of learning what the others had (experienced) before testing. And.....same with the Totem, all the believers, ended having the exact same ideas of sound improvement in daily testing, thus all this comes down to the same results in the end.
The difference from the original TOTEM Adapter cable you ask?
The original has 2 shares of wire and the TOTEM ULTRA has 4, plus a new style silver plated plug!
This is kind of the trend now, that it was not foreseeable in 2020 that IEM cables would become so big. More material means better transmission of signal. In fact I deal with this change all the time. Meaning there is a proven (to myself) change whenever they double-up this material, and at times it doesn’t matter what the cable make-up is. Meaning Penon released the ASOS Audiophile IEM cable. Then they made a few changes and released it again with different Purple plugs and Purple 2Pin connectors and called it the ASOS+. Us listeners noted Penon was attempting to add warmth, and note-weight to the signal. Then the unthinkable happened. Yep, Penon went and changed the amount of transfer material used.
A regular cable has only enough wire to maintain the signal, enough said. Cut one open and see for yourself, you will be amazed at the hair-like wire results, I was!
Size matters here:
A perfect example here of more material in action is the Penon ASOS, ASOS+ and ASOS+X cables………..
ASOS+X is 12 strands, 25 cores alloy copper silver-plated + 99 cores single crystal copper silver-plated wire mixed.
ASOS and ASOS+ is 8 strands, 25 cores alloy copper silver-plated + 99 cores single crystal copper silver-plated wire mixed.
More material means more sound to your ears, it is almost that simple.
So in a nutshell the addition of extra material simply gathers more signal. This replay makes the stage bigger and adds note-weight…….in reality provides realism by simply getting you a little closer to music. This phenomenon happens everyday with cables. The generic cable that comes with a cheap IEM can be taken apart and viewed for its minimal signal carrying material.
The point here is that adding material gets a better signal transferred. The character of that signal depends on the style of material used. Meaning, sure we can use 100% copper, only the signal will offer just what (regularly) copper does by itself day-in and day-out, which is to add warmth and stage girth. Adding silver can enhance brightness and detail, as well as take on stage size. Gold adds a rich tone……..and the actual configuration of these build metals affects the final outcome.
To Quote Dsnuts:
“Totem is made of what is essentially 3 different types of cables in one. Single crystal copper Litz 6 in silver plating. Palladium plated pure silver. Single crystal copper plated in pure gold then finished off with a stage enhancing OFC copper plated in silver for plugs and connectors.
The mish mash of material blend here adds some substantial effects to a well balanced IEM and when you double the core count. This only enhances the sound to a greater degree.”
https://penonaudio.com/penon-totem-adapter-cable.html
The original Totem Adapter you can still buy for $62.50.
As such this cable offers both 2.5mm and 3.5mm plugs, which the ULTRA does not.
Original TOTEM
Penon Totem 3.5mm Audio /2.5mm Balanced /4.4mm Balanced Adapter Cable
Description
2 shares, 334 cores per share
Single crystal copper silver-plated Litz type6 & Palladium-plated pure silver & Single crystal copper plated with pure gold
Available type:
4.4mm Balanced Male to 2.5mm Balanced Female
4.4mm Balanced Male to 4.4mm Balanced Female
2.5mm Balanced Male to 2.5mm Balanced Female
3.5mm Audio Male to 3.5mm Audio Female
3.5mm Audio Male to 2.5mm Balanced Female
The TOTEM ULTRA Interconnect or Adapter Cable
Description
Single crystal copper silver-plated Litz 6 + Palladium-plated pure silver + Single crystal copper plated with pure gold.
4 shares, 334 cores per share
Black PVC with red color glitter powder coating
Outer diameter: 2.8mm
Plug: 4.4mm balanced OFC silver-plated
Length: about 10cm (without plugs)
Available type:
4.4mm Balanced Male to 4.4mm Balanced Male
4.4mm Balanced Male to 4.4mm Balanced Female
Left to right is shown for size comparison, the OS133 Adapter, the TOTEM grounding Sony Adapter, the original TOTEM and the ULTRA.
So what is the Penon TOTEM ULTRA Cable?
Well we just went over that. But to simplify things, the ULTRA brings about a clarity and realism to the signal. This style of enhancement comes about through separation and tonal changes. Meaning if items heard are slightly repositioned inside the head-stage……………..a better opportunity is acquired to perceive them. Literally everything becomes more visceral, with better layering coming from a blacker background. I like to use the word big here, as that to me is the first and foremost noticeability is a larger stage.
Inside that stage items show extra note-weight and layering. There is part of this that is hard to describe, but to do my best……..each component in the music takes on an added character. Meaning (sure) it’s just more real sounding, but the character of each component holds better tonal and texture separation.
Who is it for?
The TOTEM ULTRA is for really anyone and anytime. Though I found some set-ups had a more dramatic outcome. Meaning if a cable had a component of its sound that was way out front, like a more silver cable, those tones and the stage positioning became that much more noticeably affected. Where I like to place products into groups. Where the ASOS+X is one of my single most favorite cables to use. Sure, the ASOS+X is better with some DAP and IEM combos than other set-ups. And to compare the Pyramid VIII is also one of my single favorite cables. Yet in reality the two differ in character. Meaning the ASOS+X is of a larger and wider stage output. Though the Pyramid VIII has better details in sections as it is not as airy nor as high energy as the ASOS+X.
The Pyramid VIII has a more down to earth sound, with more realism and less ASOS+X air.
Now the kicker is put the ASOS+X on an IEM that asks for a juice-up of upper-midrange and treble and reap the rewards, where the Pyramid VIII adds realism, but holds a more real-life tone by switching copper and silver alloys for the extra silver amount inside the ASOS+X. So neither is really dark or bright here, as always we are dealing with a balanced audiophile tone, one that gets broad acceptance due to the carefulness of tune.
Still with-in that idea, there are some IEMs which do better with the Pyramid VIII, some better with the ASOS+X and some IEMs that are so very balanced they go great with both cables.
The full-size TOTEM Cable won the listening tests:
What does this have to do with the TOTEM? Well my friends, after prolonged listening I then switched the cable on the various IEMs to the original full-size TOTEM cable. And once more the whole cable added exactly what I described in the previous paragraph, a deeper background, containing extra textures and details, though those details were more of a smoother idea than with a pure silver cable. Also more detailed and more separated than what could be found normally with a pure copper cable. So Penon is in the kitchen and cooking up grand dishes here, adding just the right ingredients to provide musical immersion. I have not heard the full-size Penon TOTEM ULTRA cable, but the old standby full-size original TOTEM is the very best cable I own without exception.
Testing:
You will probably appreciate the fact that I didn’t end up using 20 user combinations of IEMs and cables to have the TOTEM ULTRA joined to. Meaning we all have different gear, and what is important is to get the overall character improvement from the TOTEM ULTRA documented. There are themes here………often parallel results between a few IEMs and cables, but what ends up being important is to try and isolate the positive results and report on them in writing.
We don’t need endless tests to do this reporting, but testing is fun and educational. What I mean is there may be a union of cable, IEM and TOTEM ULTRA adapter that I would not normally try out. Also end results which could not be planned, the outcome is different than what is guessed. Once in a while I’m surprised at what I find out to be true.
Also remember that the whole grouping is what gives the final results here. Meaning the DAP, the cable, the IEM and possibly the EQ, though I don’t use EQ. That these sonic changes about to be investigated are also found to be parallel across a good part of the Head-Fi community. Remember the TOTEM and TOTEM ULTRA can be found in many variations. As such the original TOTEM can have many different connectors as well as an Adapter or Interconnect. So there are many in positive use scenarios already!
Though we can concentrate here on adding a flavor. Meaning Dsnuts in his TOTEM ULTRA full-size cable review talked about a slight color which comes about by adding 2X the amount of ULTRA added gold.
This extra richness may not be preferred, thus adding a portion of the richness to the front-end of a cable you already like ends a benefit.
So you would be doing exactly like I’m doing here with your TOTEM ULTRA possibly. Finding a combination you already use and finding out if adding a section of TOTEM magic helps make the replay even better.
So just for fun, let’s try out a full-size headphone and a bright IEM and a brighter cable. Lets find out if the 14.5mm Planar coaxial combined with a 50mm DD in the Kiwi ears Atheia shows a difference from just using the GranVia pure OFC aftermarket cable!
Also the brighter cable with a bright IEM:
What I’m getting at is when outreaches of treble and midrange energy are noticeable anyway, let’s try to boost them with an even brighter cable than we would normally use, then try to sculpt the tone back a little with the TOTEM ULTRA adapter cable. Now this may give you ideas as to combinations you already have at your fingertips, but already know such a combo would be a no-go.
You see a slight smoothing does take place, except the TOTEM ULTRA is more, meaning there is an added blackness of background and stage size increase that seems to open-up the results and add entertainment factors, all while becoming even more natural than just the cable and full-size headphone or IEM was.
Test one:
Kiwi ears Atheia to Tripowin GranVia cable to TOTEM ULTRA to Sony WM1A DAP:
Crazy at it sounds the same magic obtained with IEMs can at times be brought to full-size headphones. Here we have the coaxial Kiwi ears Atheia 50mm DD X 14.5mm Planar headphone plus the aftermarket 4.4mm x 2 3.5mm cable called the GranVia by Tripowin. Such a cable regularly adds stage and warmth over the Kiwi ears Atheia included cable. This is obtained from a GranVia 26AWG wire in a Litz configuration, plus 36 strands of 4 core. Such an OFC build follows the tried and true idea (of sound) for a copper aftermarket cable. Now the crazy part here is the Atheia is a highly colored headphone, yet colored in a good way, at least I think so? As such my favorite combo is using it with the Sony WM1A. For the most part I never use the Sony DAP for full-size headphones. Reason being the extra damping juice obtained from a desktop normally brings (better) extra transients and clearer bass tones to the headphone ability. Only with this tune they (Kiwi ears) have added a prominent mid-bass emphasis, with less sub-bass and lower-midrange.
They have also created a peak at 2kHz to 3kHz……then the upper treble starts to roll-off almost completely. This combo of tuning actually sounds great with the Sony WM1A even though it is close to being maxed out in power usage (at 92 to 99 clicks out of a possible 120). In fact for my uses I would say I have found a surprising synergy here. In comes the TOTEM ULTRA. Now in this usage the results are small but definitely there……..and the more you hear the changes the more prominent they become. This change takes place because the TOTEM ULTRA is the very first part of the signal chain after the amplifier. What is happening here is the TOTEM ULTRA is raising definition and detail somehow. I will typically start off with drums and cymbals to try and understand this change. Meaning I’m looking for extra pizazz in the formation of clarity in how the cymbals are separated, and how they hold extra edges of contrast in relation to the GranVia used alone. Such an add-on to an already large cable seems to blend in with the ergonomics. This audible added stage space size and texture relief creation is satisfying and special. Is that maybe from the 14.5mm Planar driver, maybe it is just the pure OFC GranVia cable is asking for this treatment? Whatever the reason for the event, it is good and the way I will always use the Atheia full-size headphone………….who knew? As such the Atheia has a perfect form factor for laying horizontal, plus with minimal internal noise escaping, you will not disturb others.
Test two:
With that out of the way we are now entering the danger zone. Yep…….
Noble Kaiser Encore K-10 Universal IEM to the Penon OS849 in 4.4mm to the TOTEM ULTRA to the Sony WM1A DAP:
HA, yes I’m looking for trouble, not from the TOTEM ULTRA, in fact I’m looking for any smoothness that the TOTEM ULTRA can bring to the table. You see weeks back when I started the TOTEM ULTRA tests I used this same cable with noticeable results. All the points we already talked about, which includes blackness of background, a smoother idea of a stage placed into increased textures from using the OS849 by itself.
Only now I’m using an IEM that owns a big treble shelf.
See that 6kHz energy? It doesn’t matter who measures the Encore, the results are always the same. But, but to me with the right upstream signal this is a style of heaven. Sure I purchased the Encore for $1850.00 back in 2018, and maybe I’m holding onto it for sentimental reasons, but I made a promise to myself to keep the Noble IEM for my lifetime. Years and years of attempting to smooth-out that peak, and bring blackness of background to open-up visibility into the bass realms. And you know what? The full-on TOTEM is the best cable I have used with the Kaiser Encore. But what about this adapter?
The Noble Audio K-10 Kaiser Encore:
Brisk, can I use that word? Brisk and holding large amounts of treble spatial energy. The TOTEM ULTRA makes the signal louder. HA. The ULTRA brings the stage both more forward and wider. Now the items inside that stage hold a closer focus……..items are a little more dense? While this OS849 is not maybe the best cable I have for Encore replay, it is still really really good and holds that classic aftermarket sonic values for the customer.
What I’m trying to say is many still today would find the extra upper midrange and treble emphasis of the OS849 to be awakening in tone over the typical included cable.
Yet as we roll on in this review we will learn Penon as a cable builder also learned a thing or two about being able to still bring about this stage size and even increase it, with a slightly smoother (than the OS849) idea of silver and copper alloy.
So here we are looking at a wonderful OS849 cable that is still very valuable today, and this cable could be the cats meow on a few IEMs that need this energy boost! The crazy part is as this day goes on I actually adapt to this brighter idea of life in the bright lane! That the Encore will always do these tricks with 10BAs that I still haven’t found anywhere else! To end this description I would say that besides blackness of background the TOTEM ULTRA adds separation and contrasts, as maybe the best attributes here?
Penon ASOS+:
8 shares of 25 cores copper silver-plated + 99 cores single crystal copper copper mixed (Litz & SPC) with Purple 2Pins and plugs.
Penon ASOS+X:
12 shares of 25 cores copper silver-plated + 99 cores single crystal copper copper mixed (Litz & SPC) with Purple 2Pins and plugs.
Test three:
ISN H60:
The ASOS+X is one of my favorite cables even though when compared with the original TOTEM you can start to understand the lower imaging blackness and extra detail that the full-size TOTEM cable simply does 24/7. Adding the TOTEM ULTRA Adapter has given me a window into a slight extra detail in the drums that I never heard before with this track and ISN H60. What I am trying to say is the recording engineer has placed a breath onto the transient edge of the drum attack and I have heard it for the first time. Now that I know it is there I will always hear it. This as a first is really a big deal as I have used this song for years but never noticed it. Is it from the TOTEM ULTRA or the DAP used, or the ASOS+X or the ISN H60? Really who knows why, and it is what it is. Still to describe the Penon ASOS+X, it is in many ways like the TOTEM cable. In that Penon are taking the original TOTEM sound and using it as their TOTL Flagship tone, then trying to emulate it into various renditions of new ASOS products. Let me put it this way, I just did an IEM review with a smooth treble, yet I didn’t really realize how very smooth it was until I placed the ASOS+X in the combination. Where sure Penon is exploiting silver alloy in stage size here, and by the way, the stage is some of the very biggest in my whole cable collection, even bigger than the more expensive Pyramid VIII. So really back to basics the ASOS+X is both big staged and creating giant imaging, still created with smoothness and long listening times. Where in my testing previously the TOTEM ULTRA was not obviously able to make the OS849 become the ASOS+X, but that’s another story.
The ASOS+X has still an airy upper midrange that is propelled into the full extensions of stage width with the ISN H60. The H60 is very upper midrange focused anyway which allows for such ideas to be found. But the money here and the reason I would get the TOTEM ULTRA if I had the ISN H60 and ASOS+X is due to an increase in note density for one. That also there is this slight sculpturing of instruments that along with the thickness of notes adds realism. Remember Penon as a company has been always steering the ASOS. Meaning they came out with the first ASOS, then added Purple plugs and 2Pins and called it the ASOS+.
The way they are working with the ASOS idea.........to add-on note-density, warmth and realism. So the ASOS+X is Penon adding material which causes a bigger stage along with this note-weight, only adding the TOTEM ULTRA (to the ASOS+X) adds even more note-weight resulting in an increase in realism.
Conclusion:
To keep things simple, the end results are really the same every time. Added note-density along with a style of depth into the stage, somehow creating extra distance between notes and sound objects. This extra added clarity is always welcomed and never off or wrong or creating havoc like putting the wrong cable with a DAP and IEM combination.
Are there ways to get the same benefits while using simply a different plug material on a modular plug? I would guess no, as there is less metal used, and not a giant 10cm length X 4 shares, 334 cores per share resulting in 2.8mm diameter! Also those simple plugs do work (to a point) as proven by just adding Purple 2Pins and a Purple Copper plug to the ASOS to make the ASOS+.
3D:
Yet there is a quality to the TOTEM which has always been there, and to describe it makes sense to just use the word 3D. Yep, there are extra ramifications here that means instruments and vocals are now repositioned inside the stage, the stage is bigger, but there is more texture to the whole signal. More mountain ranges, more valleys and more space in-between elements. This factor is more noticeable of a character the more years I use the original TOTEM cable. Taking the original TOTEM interconnect or adapter and doubling it up brings just that much more drama to the camp.
Quickly going back and placing the original light blue 2 share TOTEM Adapter onto the front of the ASOS+X cable and ISN EBC80.....then switching to the 4 share ULTRA model we find….its laughably louder. HA! But more than that the sound is somehow closer and wider in stance, brought about into forwardness as well as sculpturing. What I’m trying to say is the ISN EBC80 is one of my all-time favorite IEMs, and I didn’t think improvement was possible, but comparing the original TOTEM adapter to this 2X more ULTRA material adapter makes perfect sense, at least to my ears?
$119.00
https://penonaudio.com/PENON-Totem-Ultra-Audio-Cable
Disclaimer:
The TOTEM ULTRA Audio Cable has had 10 days of burn-in.
Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the Penon TOTEM ULTRA adapter review sample.
Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.
Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman’s Firmware 4.4mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman’s Firmware 4.4mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03 4.4mm
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
