Effect Audio cables thread

[OmOmNya]

Hi,

I'm wondering, if i order the cadmus 8w with term x upgrade, did i get all the plug variations (3.5, 4.4, 2.5) ?

Or i must order it separately ?

 

[Kerouac]

So, yesterday I received the prototype (CODE 23) in the afternoon.

And as it turned out it blended quite nicely (colourwise) into the Christmas tree...

Now, like mentioned before in this thread by others, the cable is thick and not so pliable. But luckily Jordon already shared some extra information in a pm about that:

The sleeve will be thinner in the final version and thus will be less stiff. However, we are aware of this and this stiffness is an inherent characteristic of the YY design. In order to maintain this thick powerful sound, we decided to continue with the structure.

Before I had any information on the CODE 23, I gave it a first listen last night. The IEM that I chose was the Axiom, simply because that's the one that I've listened to mainly over the past half year, and as a bonus it is very cable sensitive.

The cables that I used and liked the most on the Axiom so far were the Cadmus and the EVO 10. Now here's another pic that I just took with the three of them...

With the Axiom I regularly swapped the Cadmus & EVO 10, because they had both different characteristics that I liked.

Cadmus sounds more holographic (3D soundstage), a bit warmer/fuller and with great (sub)lows on top of that.
EVO 10 sounds more clear and delivers a more detailed sound with better imaging and instrument separation.

When I put the CODE 23 on the Axiom and started to listen I was highly impressed from the start as it appeared to combine the best of above worlds in this one cable. Or like @holsen wrote before:

instant thought was holy cow its like a wall of sound. Its thick yet clear, deep and wide defined and detailed all simultaneously.

Well, I couldn't have described it better myself.

At first I thought this was probably an improved SPC cable. As for a silver one I would have expected a somewhat brighter signature overall I guess.

This morning I got this extra information from Jordon though:

The cable you received is in its prototype form where the final set will come with new customised y-splitter, terminator design and a thinner sleeve. CODE 23 will be for both IEMs and Headphones.

Here are some details for this cable:
The Cyber Beast
Discover a new beast from a dystopian future, wreaking havoc with its sheer power and ultramodern technical fluency.

CODE 23 is a representation of our persistence with pushing a single material to its fullest potential. Befitting of our flagship copper cable label, CODE 23 features and combines multiple technologies into a coherent piece of tech - pure copper YY, a host of XX different multi-size core bundles, a proprietary blend of multi-size strands, a whopping ZZ AWG and more. The result is a transformational experience with picturesque vocals that are true-to-life and a sub bass that reaches the deepest of levels.

Hear what our flagship level copper sounds like and be ready to get transported into an other-worldly cyber realm.

Technical Specifications
- Selected Premium UP-OCC Copper Litz
- XX Multi-sized Core Bundle w YY Design
- Proprietary Multi-size Stands Blend
- ZZ AWG 2 Wires
- EA UltraFlexi™ Insulation
- ConX® & TermX™ Basic Sets Interchangeable Connector/Plug System

CODE 23 is meant to be a "love letter' to hardcore audiophiles that put priority on sound over all other factors.

So, this turned out to be a Premium UP-OCC Copper Litz cable. Although it's probably not that obvious in my HF signature below, I have had / heard quite some (multiple 8-wires as well) copper cables in the past. But I don't think I have heard anything like this before yet. So powerful, holographic and clear sounding with great instrument separation at the same time. Once again: I'm highly impressed by this ''love letter'' and it has already found a way to my old audiophile heart. Totally loving it so far!!!

Cheers and happy listening to all of you out there

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering: of course I have checked with Jordon beforehand if I could share the above information in this thread. What XX, YY and ZZ stands for, remains a mystery to me too...

 

[Deferenz]

New stuff coming from EA thick and fast!

Meanwhile, Cadmus 8 Wire + Chamber Carrying Case complete with Santa!

 

[Deferenz]

Tiny initial impressions on the Code 23. I’ve just hooked it up to my iPhone & Billie Jean to do some burn time, and even with that set up the sound is Huge. It full and thick and bass is very apparent. So very early at the moment, but this sound immediately demands my attention in a good way.

 

[corgifall]

I got a thiccc cable in yesterday that I wasn’t quite expecting. Others have already revealed what this is but I’ll be interested to see what the final cable looks like. Only one night in but I find the bass to be very noticeably strong with wider stage(no noticeable depth increase so far) and a better controlled mids on the THIEAUDIO V16 I’m using it with.

 

[Deferenz]

I’ve been doing some listening with the Cadmus 8 Wire and 64 Audio Trio. When I originally had the 4 wire version back in May, I said that 4w plus the Trio was the best pairing that I had heard out of all the IEMs that I own and tested.

I thought that it gave a crisp detailed sound. I also felt that it allowed a bit more of the Trio’s technicalities to shine through. Bass hit hard, sub-bass could be felt in the chest, mids were clear & detailed, and the treble was free to soar. Albeit I felt that the treble was not as controlled as I would have liked (for my personal preference). Overall though it was an engaging sound that demanded more of my attention when listening.

So what did I think of the 8 wire? Well to my ears it feels like the big brother of the 4 wire. It’s more mature, more refined, and less open to whims of fancy. Whereas 4w demands attention, the 8w lets you settle back and take it a bit more easy. You still get the clarity & detail of the mids, the punch of the bass, and the feel of the sub-bass. You still also get the high reaching treble that Trio is known for, but the combined package has a more full and rich feel to it. Just like I found with the LX, there is a smoothness to the overall sound. It can also be pleasantly deceptive as this smoother richer sound doesn’t stop that Trio treble from reaching for the sky, or for those DD’s hitting hard. So I’d say that the 8w keeps a lot of what made the 4w fun but just adds that bit of finesse.

When I originally paired the 4w with Trio I made a note to the fact that I didn’t think I could listen to that pair while I working due to its demanding nature. Not so though with the 8w. I found it easy to enjoy the music while I was working, but at the same time I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any of the sound and detail that the 4w gave me as I was still getting it from the 8w. Overall I did like pairing Cadmus 8w with the Trio.

My listening was done via: Trio > Cadmus 8w > SP3000, playing a mix of Tidal HD and MQA songs.

 

[Dsnuts]

Well I thought the Cadmus 8w was a chonky boy. This new Code23 prototype cable is chonkier. Didnt know if that was possible. So the Code23 cable seems to be a mish mash of design ideas using higher end copper cores. The cable does something I have never heard done quite like this Code23 cable does.

I am currently testing out a planar IEM called the LetShouer S12pro. A bit of a rant here cus I can complain about how manufacturers of IEMs spend a lot of time and effort creating a nice sounding IEM and then they drop the ball by including a cable that actually accentuates its flaws. They included a decent cable with these but considering the tuning on this IEM is a brighter analytical type. Then they added a brighter enhancing Silver plated monocrystalline copper modular cable to go with it.

So basically. Bright+ Highly resolving cable = Analytical brighter. You see what I am getting at. It is like throwing water on a sheet of ice.

What they should have included on these are.

Bright+ Musical, warmer, note weight enhancing copper cable= Synergy. Believe me I have seen a lot of IEM manufacturers do the exact opposite. They all think it is best to throw in their most resolving cable for the price and that will make their particular IEM sounds the best.

So it was the first IEM I tested the Code23 cable on. And lo n behold not just a tiny bit of an upgrade. The stock sound of the S12 pro I can't say is a dimensional sounding IEM. It is now like I never heard it. Greater note weight was just the beginning of what the cable was doing to the sound. It made them sound not only proper but stupid high end. OK now we are getting a type of synergy the stock cable is not doing.

I paired them with a new hybrid IEM. On the front page of Headfi I did a recent review for called the MEAOES Eagles. This hybrid IEM is highly sensitive at 10 Ohms these expand to better cable pairings much better than the prior S12 pro. What I am hearing from the Code23 pairing to the Eagles is something I was not expecting.

The Eagles is a U-shaped sound tuned IEM. It uses a Titanium dynamic that is a bit laid-back in its presentation for its mids. Code 23 brings the entire presentation with a layering I have never heard from the IEM. Sound separation, and note distinction and its texture is on a different level. The code 23 ability to show layering for IEMs is new one on me for a copper based IEM cable. Never heard this aspect done quite like what these cables are doing. The space around notes is much more noticeable. It makes your IEMs sound way more refined. I will continue to test the Code23 but for now. These things are crazy for what they are doing to my IEMs. By far the most unique copper properties I have heard using a copper-based cable. Its dynamics enhancing ability is a given and so is its ability to add note weight but even greater sound separation. layering and dimensional aspect? WUT?????

 

[visi77]

Are these cables going back to them or do you guys get to keep them and maybe sell them? I would be interested in getting one after you are done, it that is an option

 

[corgifall]

Are these cables going back to them or do you guys get to keep them and maybe sell them? I would be interested in getting one after you are done, it that is an option

All the prototypes I’ve received eventually make their way home to EA. Not sure about others though

 

[JordonEA]

Hi,

I'm wondering, if i order the cadmus 8w with term x upgrade, did i get all the plug variations (3.5, 4.4, 2.5) ?

Or i must order it separately ?

Hi there Yes, you will receive all 3 Term X options when you choose the Versatility Upgrade (Term X).

Are these cables going back to them or do you guys get to keep them and maybe sell them? I would be interested in getting one after you are done, it that is an option

Yes, we will be collecting back the prototypes! Too unsightly without the final hardware on!

- Jordon

 

[visi77]

Hi there Yes, you will receive all 3 Term X options when you choose the Versatility Upgrade (Term X).


Yes, we will be collecting back the prototypes! Too unsightly without the final hardware on!

- Jordon

that's too bad, I love the colour and the "unfinished" look

 

[Shawnb]

So Code23 is a copper cable? No silver or anything else?

 

[DaveStarWalker]

Very interesting. Those look very simiar to a cable I reviewed a while back.

Same remarks

This is my GOAT cable with my Aure Audio Elixir's.

GOAT time...

 

[DaveStarWalker]

Well I thought the Cadmus 8w was a chonky boy. This new Code23 prototype cable is chonkier. Didnt know if that was possible. So the Code23 cable seems to be a mish mash of design ideas using higher end copper cores. The cable does something I have never heard done quite like this Code23 cable does.

I am currently testing out a planar IEM called the LetShouer S12pro. A bit of a rant here cus I can complain about how manufacturers of IEMs spend a lot of time and effort creating a nice sounding IEM and then they drop the ball by including a cable that actually accentuates its flaws. They included a decent cable with these but considering the tuning on this IEM is a brighter analytical type. Then they added a brighter enhancing Silver plated monocrystalline copper modular cable to go with it.

So basically. Bright+ Highly resolving cable = Analytical brighter. You see what I am getting at. It is like throwing water on a sheet of ice.

What they should have included on these are.

Bright+ Musical, warmer, note weight enhancing copper cable= Synergy. Believe me I have seen a lot of IEM manufacturers do the exact opposite. They all think it is best to throw in their most resolving cable for the price and that will make their particular IEM sounds the best.

So it was the first IEM I tested the Code23 cable on. And lo n behold not just a tiny bit of an upgrade. The stock sound of the S12 pro I can't say is a dimensional sounding IEM. It is now like I never heard it. Greater note weight was just the beginning of what the cable was doing to the sound. It made them sound not only proper but stupid high end. OK now we are getting a type of synergy the stock cable is not doing.

I paired them with a new hybrid IEM. On the front page of Headfi I did a recent review for called the MEAOES Eagles. This hybrid IEM is highly sensitive at 10 Ohms these expand to better cable pairings much better than the prior S12 pro. What I am hearing from the Code23 pairing to the Eagles is something I was not expecting.

The Eagles is a U-shaped sound tuned IEM. It uses a Titanium dynamic that is a bit laid-back in its presentation for its mids. Code 23 brings the entire presentation with a layering I have never heard from the IEM. Sound separation, and note distinction and its texture is on a different level. The code 23 ability to show layering for IEMs is new one on me for a copper based IEM cable. Never heard this aspect done quite like what these cables are doing. The space around notes is much more noticeable. It makes your IEMs sound way more refined. I will continue to test the Code23 but for now. These things are crazy for what they are doing to my IEMs. By far the most unique copper properties I have heard using a copper-based cable. Its dynamics enhancing ability is a given and so is its ability to add note weight but even greater sound separation. layering and dimensional aspect? WUT?????

So, It is a Penon Totem like ?

 

[Dsnuts]

So, It is a Penon Totem like ?

Well yes and no. Totem like in the both are thicker 2 cored cables, new version of Totem is got a black nylon sleeving so no longer the first version of that green hose like contruction. Code23 is even thicker. Code23 is a proprietary design from EA so no exotic materials like what is on the Totem.

What astounds me is that EA here is showing me there is more to just copper. There is something to what they are doing with the design on the Code23 that makes them different than most copper based cables. There is a reason why the cores are constructed the way they are, now it is a matter of getting the wires to conform better and be less thick. I believe that is whats next with this prototype. I have never heard sound separtion element from a copper cable the way Code 23 does it. It is pretty crazy.