Advice on cable review methods, tests and criteria...

[philodox]

Hi all,

I currently own a pair of DiMarzio M-Path interconnects and a pair of Headphile XRS. I am also being sent two sets of cables from Cattylink as a thank you gift for business that we did in the past, the Analog Research Silver Raincoat RCA and the limited edition Analog Research Gold Raincoat RCA.

I recieved a happy surprise recently when I was contacted by Grover and asked to review his Ultimate Reference cable!

...so it looks like I should have a few cables on hand rather soon.

[and perhaps a few more depending on how things work out]

I have heard differences between cables in the past [there is a huge tonal difference between the two I currently own] and am a firm believer that cables make a difference.

However, I would like some suggestions on what methods I can use to provide an accurate and informed opinion in my forthcoming 'Interconnect Shootout'? Are there any tricks that people use to hear the nuances, any tests that can be performed? What should be the criteria that they are all graded on?

Thanks in advance,

 

[recstar24]

philodox,

first off, you are going to have to put in the time, and lots of it. Don't follow the system where you rapidly change stuff within a couple of seconds, using only a short passage. You almost never hear anything that way, the differences will be neglible. You need to listen to each cable for at least 45 minutes worth, practically a whole CD, while taking notes. Switch cables, then listen through the whole cd again, taking notes as well. Then, switch back to the original cable you heard, and do the same cd. So, you listen to A, then B, then A, with each session at least 45 minutes.

The reason why you put in this extended period of time is because there are so many different things to really listen for, that trying to do that within a couple of seconds is really not feasible - soundstage, clarity, detail, separation, air, bass, midrange, high end, extension, overall musicality, PRAT - you need to listen to a whole CD before you even get a grasp of all those things. The reason why i had you go back to A after listening to A and then B is because when you start listening to B, the differences will start to pop up one by one, but then when you go back to A, it becomes even more apparent.

Another piece of advice that i can share with you is something called "comparison by contrast." It's basically a method to how true and accurate something is to the source (the CD), but seeing how well its able to contrast different music or equipment. A lot of reviews listen to something and say it is either right or wrong, but the statement is quite dogmatic and doesnt leave room for the subjective aspect of listening. However, deciding whether contrasts or differences in music and equipment are heard, that's a little more objective, and helps people more IMO. For example, all the music you listen to is different in some form or fashion, so it should sound different. A component that masks those differences is coloring something, and a component that clearly delineates and articulates those differences is more accurate to what is upstream. So in the above proposed method of listening over a whole period of time, you need to use different CD's and not try to think how whether the cables are doing it right or wrong, but concentrate on how well the cables are articulating and contrasting the various differences. Bad recordings should sound bad and good recordings should sound bad, and if you hear otherwise, something is going on which you are going to have to pinpoint. Different sources should sound differnt from each other - a cable should be able to let your eastsound sound different from your soundcard, and the bigger the contrast between the 2 sources, most likely the more accurate the cable is being upstream. Read some of Tuberoller's old reviews, he utilized this method, this comparison by contrast, and i still believe that his reviews are right on the money. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but its just for you to help focus some of your review.

Again, reviews take mucho time, with 4 cables i wouldnt take less than a month, if you want to do it hardcore. General impressions you could do 2 weeks. Just remember its okay if you dont hear a difference, if there isnt thats fine, thats helpful too. Listen to each cable for an extended period of time, at least 45 minutes, and listen for how well it contrasts and articulates those differences between music and equipment, comparison by contrast, the only way to fly IMHO.

 

[headchange4u]

I may also suggest listening to music that you are very familar with and have heard a million times already. That way you are familar with the way a song sounds so it may make it easier to pick up on subtle differences in the music caused by the cables.

I would also try to listen to different genres of music, for example throw some Techno in there so you can hear the differences in the thumping bass and then maybe some more acoustic based music where you can focus in stringed instruments.

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by recstar24 You need to listen to each cable for at least 45 minutes worth, practically a whole CD, while taking notes.

This has always been my preference as well... quick swaps tell you next to nothing.

Thanks for all the info, that will certainly help me out once they all arrive. It is a slightly daunting task, but I'm looking forward to it.

headchange - I will be sure to use a variety of music and I am familiar with most of what I own, so that shouldnt be a problem.

---

I own a multimeter, are there any measurements that I should take to go along with the listening impressions?

 

[aerius]

Relax, take your time, and don't force things. And have fun.

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerius Relax, take your time, and don't force things. And have fun.

Heh, thanks man.

Maybe I'll have you over to take some quick impressions as well once I have my new listening room set up.

[We get possesion of the new condo on Friday!]

 

[recstar24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerius Relax, take your time, and don't force things. And have fun.

oh yeah, you've got some new toys, enjoy it! just let the force flow through you, you'll figure it out!

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerius Relax, take your time, and don't force things. And have fun.

Ya, I think that's the key. Sometimes you can get too caught up in doing the "job" at hand that you forget to enjoy the musical journey. At least that has been my experience. I've more or less given up on trying to "evaluate" a new cable or even a new component, except when I'm really in the mood to "listen to the cable" (or source, or amp, etc).

As a rule of thumb, if after a day or two of listening, I still can't explain in simple terms the differences that interconnects or power cords are making in terms of the overall muscial enjoyment from my system, then I figure they're not worth it (especially if they cost more than the ones they are replacing, as they invariably do). I agree with the previous posters that it does take a lot of time and effort to really be able to pinpoint the differences between two cables that are "close" in performance (a month is not an exaggeration) and this effort may be worth it to you. It isn't to me anymore unless I'm having a lot more fun doing other interesating things with my listening time during that same month, and this would include listening to a LOT of NEW music whether it helped me to evaluate the cables or not.

But I guess you can take this with a grain of salt from someone who has done the cable thing one too many times. Thankfully, it has paid off in the sense that I'm quite happy with where it has led me (Virtual Dynamics Master series). Unless and until I stumble across something that seems to be a dramatic improvement at a much lower cost, then I'll stick with what is working!

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

I put the new cable in, run it for 50 hours straight to calm down any harshness it may exhibit, then listen to it exclusively for a solid week. The I switch back to the other and make notes. Some final last minute switching may take place as I cement my findings.

Biggie.

 

[adhoc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by philodox I own a multimeter, are there any measurements that I should take to go along with the listening impressions?

there certainly is!

you may want to measure impedance (resistance) across both cables - they should match as closely as possible.

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotoriousBIG_PJ I put the new cable in, run it for 50 hours straight to calm down any harshness it may exhibit, then listen to it exclusively for a solid week. The I switch back to the other and make notes. Some final last minute switching may take place as I cement my findings.

Thanks Jamie,

I figured you would chime in.

I think your method will work great, but it makes it difficult to compare many cables... I guess the best thing would be to take the time to familiarize myself with the DiMarzio's and when the Grover's arrive compare the two as you have suggested. If there is a clear winner I can then use that as the base to compare the chinese cables and the Headphile XRS. So the whole review will take quite a long time to write, but I could release each stage as I finish I suppose.

What have I gotten myself into here?

 

[recstar24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by philodox What have I gotten myself into here?

A lot of painful and agonizing work...i mean, fun, yeah, thats what cable shootouts are, fun fun fun

 

[Glod]

I agree with the approach to let the cables get time to present them selves.

I would also like to stress the important factor of synergy with the rest of the equipment. Even though the default method of testing, IMHO, should be ceteris paribus, that can lead you to believe a cable to have a particular sonic signature on its own, but if you then change one part in the chain, you might get surprised: Don’t disregard a cable right away. Try it in another setup. The likelihood of a more satisfying outcome is real.

And for the record: Burn-in is oh so important and don’t touch it during those hours.