Arctic Cables Discussion Thread
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buzzlulu
Headphoneus Supremus
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New Silver/Palladium Opera cable in house
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Reading glowing reviews makes me feel good about recommending Arctic Cables as one of my preferred vendors.New Silver/Palladium Opera cable in house!
This is my first time dealing with Arctic Cables and my entire experience was absolutely stellar! Val was the consummate professional and all of my emails were promptly and expertly answered. It was a pleasure doing business with them.
The Opera is being used with my Focal Utopia headphones, HeadAmp GSX MK2, with source duties provided by one of my 2 channel systems streamers - the uber Linn Klimax DS (google if you are unfamiliar).
I have been a member of HeadFi since 2003 and spent 2006-2017 out of headphones and strictly with my 2 channel system. When I returned I wanted to go straight to the totl and during the 2017/18 time frame it was all Utopia…Utopia…Utopia. Together with my Focal acquisition Sony had just released the Signature Series Z1R and WM1Z which I also purchased for mobile/closed back use. Kimber Kable had recently introduced their Axios line of headphone cables and a set was purchased for both the Utopia and Z1R. Both cables have remained my primary drivers up until now.
The difference in performance between the Kimber Axios and Opera cable is quite dramatic with the Utopias. The bass heavy sound of the Axios has been removed and replaced with a tighter and more tuneful bass - the bloated sound is now gone. This has allowed more details to come through with increased air and separation - all resulting in a more tuneful and engaging presentation. I definitely think silver cables will be a fixture in my systems going forward. Together with the Opera cable my Utopias have started to venture into Stax 009S performance and are giving those cans a serious run for the money.
My next step is to decide whether or not I want Arctic to fabricate a set of adapters to enable me to use the Opera with my Z1R - or purchase a second Arctic cable for the Sony. Tough decisions to make!
PS - build quality? Impeccable!
PSS - I went with the upgrade to the Furutech XLR connector over the standard Neutrik. So much nicer.
buzzlulu
Headphoneus Supremus
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They are definitely a PLEASURE to deal with!
Just got my Pallas X8 for my Empyreans - plugged up for a 24 hour run before some listening. Service and packing was great - looking forward to a good Sunday listening session 
I have the same cable that I use with my Focal Utopias. I have not used the stock Focal cables since...Just got my Pallas X8 for my Empyreans - plugged up for a 24 hour run before some listening. Service and packing was great - looking forward to a good Sunday listening session
It is a 4.4 balanced cable with an additional 4-pin XLR adapter.
Val was fantastic throughout!
jonathan c
Headphoneus Supremus
I have always thought Arctic Cables was top notch. Roy & Val have always been responsive to ideas and suggestions. I have a multitude of AC, mostly Palladium Series, for a variety of headphones. R&V have now made some palladium/silver interconnects (RCA + XLR) for me.
andyfrut
New Head-Fier
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Hi, do you think that there's a sound difference between the CUPRUM series and ION series? I'm searching the best copper cable (neutral tunning) and I love the color options of the ION, but the CUPRUM have better specifications.
Thank you
Thank you
noplsestar
Headphoneus Supremus
Regardless of anyone can help you here, you should also ask the guys from AC directly!
noplsestar
Headphoneus Supremus
Today I got my 2 short interconnect cables, one is the Pallas, the other does not have a name, it’s a combination of copper and palladium!! I asked Roy if he could make one of this special combination because I wanted to check out how the synergy is between my DAP and portable amp.
To all of you who look into buying the new hyped Cayin C9 amp, these AC interconnects might come in handy, too!
As always it was a pleasure to talk with Roy (especially about the new copper/palladium combination I wanted from them). That being said, I have the feeling AC is very open to new or special suggestions, so please don’t hesitate to talk to them and ask about anything.
And now some eyecandy
To all of you who look into buying the new hyped Cayin C9 amp, these AC interconnects might come in handy, too!
As always it was a pleasure to talk with Roy (especially about the new copper/palladium combination I wanted from them). That being said, I have the feeling AC is very open to new or special suggestions, so please don’t hesitate to talk to them and ask about anything.
And now some eyecandy
OM hawk
100+ Head-Fier
Ok maybe I'm a total madman, but I decided to order an Opera cable for my Aeon 2 Closed rather than upgrade to a Verite Closed or an Mdr Z1r (which I know would be the conventional wisdom if I want a well isolating closed back). I guess the main reason is that maxing out the potential of the flavor of sound I'm currently enjoying is so risk free, albeit expensive. I like how my Signum Plus sounds with my A2C and Hugo 2, and from what I understand, the Opera is a super duper version of the same general type of sound. I was tempted by the Verite Closed, but there's a clear consensus among reviewers that they don't sound their best unless you sacrifice on isolation with non stock pads, which is a big no no for an isolation fiend like me. I did recently order a Niagara 1200 power conditioner, so hopefully the subtle nuances of the Opera cable will be evident despite the limitations of a 900 buck headphone. I expect I'll be swimming in mysterious spooky nuances, but that is the sort of thing I enjoy, so it's all good.
noplsestar
Headphoneus Supremus
In „real life“ we are freaks anyways, owning headphones that cost more than 100 dollars
That being said, I think you are on the right way when ordering an endgame cable for a headphone you love!
The only other possible (small) upgrade (you know, diminishing returns) IMO would be the Stellia, though I think it is probably not as isolating as the A2C. The good thing about the Opera is (and every Arctic Cable) that you can always reterminate it without loosing lifetime warranty!
Using my modded TH900 with the Fusion cable...
jonathan c
Headphoneus Supremus
If you are a madman, you have company. I have the predecessor Palladium Series from Arctic Cables for Custom Cans UK modified Sennheiser HD-600 (!). Not only is sonic flavour maximised, it is regret-free ($2200+ cable for $420+ headphone)!
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