Effect Audio cables thread

[Noobzilla]

Well you’re talking to a guy who scrapped conx on his own centurion for a 2pin so I’m telling you

What change did you notice?

on an SP2K if you have a 4.4 use an adapter but keep your cables Pentaconn / 2pin / mmcx

Wouldnt changing my cable to 2.5mm / 2 pin better than using adapter and ConX? Though this morning I did some chores and it feels like a small accident would break the 2.5mm. The PW Audio adapter adds a lot of stability though it changes the sound. P. S. Just noticed you have the same adapter

 

[theveterans]

Wouldnt changing my cable to 2.5mm / 2 pin better than using adapter and ConX? Though this morning I did some chores and it feels like a small accident would break the 2.5mm. The PW Audio adapter adds a lot of stability though it changes the sound. P. S. Just noticed you have the same adapter

Adapters is just unacceptable when you're dealing with revealing IEMs. I don't mind using the ConX since I'm not using the most technical sounding IEM out there in the market but an adapter on the DAP side is a definitely no-no to me for serious listening (Just sounds veiled and weaker dynamics). Definitely opt for permanent termination on both IEM/DAP side if SQ is your utmost priority. I'm using the Oyaide PSquared 2.5mm for my EA Chiron + Cleopatra OG cable and SP2000 Cu (stock firmware).

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Contacted EA. May need my Cleo II Octa reterminated to 2.5mm. Curious how much it will cost plus shipping round trip.

I'm planning to change because I may trade to an SP2000 which I'm demoing now but it doesn't have a 4.4mm output and based on my test using an adapter degraded the quality very slightly. Pentaconn OFC > TermX , SP2000 2.5mm>PW Audio 1960's 2.5+3.5 to 4.4 adapter.

EA replied
$100 +$20 return shipping for 4.4mm to 2.5mm. At
$50 to reterminate ConX. Has anyone changed their ConX to nom ConX or vice versa? Any difference in sound quality?

Yes; I've done it. I believe that is the reason why they published your findings on Facebook; I've talked to them about it. Of course regular 2pin sounds better. I completely disagree with people who say conx doesn't degrade quality. It degrades it; duh. Avoid all adapters except if you need to use em; obviously on an SP2K if you have a 4.4 use an adapter but keep your cables Pentaconn / 2pin / mmcx

I wouldn't think Suyang would default the Centurion cable with ConX if it degrades it. I don't have much data with Centurion owners, but I haven't seen one that's not ConX terminated on the IEM side.

Well you’re talking to a guy who scrapped conx on his own centurion for a 2pin so I’m telling you

To each their own, but my personal experience has said that there is no noticeable change.

We wouldn't have chosen it if it degrades sound quality.

 

[Noobzilla]

To each their own, but my personal experience has said that there is no noticeable change.

We wouldn't have chosen it if it degrades sound quality.

Are you referring to just the ConX or also TermX?

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Are you referring to just the ConX or also TermX?

I'm referring to both.

 

[shznn]

What change did you notice?


Wouldnt changing my cable to 2.5mm / 2 pin better than using adapter and ConX? Though this morning I did some chores and it feels like a small accident would break the 2.5mm. The PW Audio adapter adds a lot of stability though it changes the sound. P. S. Just noticed you have the same adapter

It does change it; however it's something you could always swap etc and in the end when you burn-in the adapter it ain't that bad + you get to keep your cable in 4.4 which is, voila, much more reliable. Although for absolute-best results you likely should do 2.5mm on the SP2K but I don't mind the PW adapter personally; it's an interesting signature

To each their own, but my personal experience has said that there is no noticeable change.

We wouldn't have chosen it if it degrades sound quality.

And I wouldn't have swapped the conx terminator on my Horus8, horus/cleo2 and Cent if it didn't. I literally went into the office and listened to my cables with conx first and then reterminated to 2pin several minutes later.

 

[Noobzilla]

I'm referring to both.

"Performance Version - Cleopatra II will come with a Performance Version as an alternative option to the Versatility Version. The performance version comes fitted with an OFC Pentaconn 4.4mm Termination that produces a more polished mid range response"

If there's no noticeable change between TermX and pentaconn OFC then why would EA even bother offering, let alone advertise pentaconn OFC as "Performance Version... more polished mid range response".

Either there really is a noticeable change between the two or it's a marketing scam.

 

[Noobzilla]

It does change it; however it's something you could always swap etc and in the end when you burn-in the adapter it ain't that bad + you get to keep your cable in 4.4 which is, voila, much more reliable. Although for absolute-best results you likely should do 2.5mm on the SP2K but I don't mind the PW adapter personally; it's an interesting signature

Yes it is an interesting signature. Makes the SP2000 warmer and imo more forgiving with poorly recorded tracks, but I lose a tiny bit of clarity and microdetails. It's tough choice.

Adapters is just unacceptable when you're dealing with revealing IEMs. I don't mind using the ConX since I'm not using the most technical sounding IEM out there in the market but an adapter on the DAP side is a definitely no-no to me for serious listening (Just sounds veiled and weaker dynamics). Definitely opt for permanent termination on both IEM/DAP side if SQ is your utmost priority. I'm using the Oyaide PSquared 2.5mm for my EA Chiron + Cleopatra OG cable and SP2000 Cu (stock firmware).

Saw a 4.4mm mod for the SP2000. Very interesting but also pricey. My friend lent me two PW Audio adapter and the non 1960's version does sound veiled and weaker dynamics as you mentioned. The 1960's version is significantly better. Did you supply that Oyaide to EA or that was an option? I'll ask EA what brand their 2.5mm is

 

[theveterans]

Saw a 4.4mm mod for the SP2000. Very interesting but also pricey. My friend lent me two PW Audio adapter and the non 1960's version does sound veiled and weaker dynamics as you mentioned. The 1960's version is significantly better. Did you supply that Oyaide to EA or that was an option? I'll ask EA what brand their 2.5mm is

EA has the PSquared 2.5mm as an option for years (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/effect-audio-cables-thread.787717/post-14492035). Just ask EA that you want the PSquared version and not the standard Rhodium plated 2.5mm when you order to reterminate

 

[Noobzilla]

EA has the PSquared 2.5mm as an option for years (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/effect-audio-cables-thread.787717/post-14492035). Just ask EA that you want the PSquared version and not the standard Rhodium plated 2.5mm when you order to reterminate

Thanks for the info! I'll update here when they respond. I asked in general what options they have. Hopefully they don't charge significantly more for the psquared. Did you originally have them with something else then reterminated? Im generally reading that there's improvement over the rhodium version. I need to be careful that these upgrades wont make the highs any more piercing because with my current set up I'm already at the border of what I would tolerate.

 

[theveterans]

Thanks for the info! I'll update here when they respond. I asked in general what options they have. Hopefully they don't charge significantly more for the psquared. Did you originally have them with something else then reterminated? Im generally reading that there's improvement over the rhodium version. I need to be careful that these upgrades wont make the highs any more piercing because with my current set up I'm already at the border of what I would tolerate.

PSquare is probably extra 50 USD IIRC. I compared the PSquared to the TermX just last week at a meet. TermX dials down on soundstage and clarity, and less refinement in the note edges but not as much worse as using an adapter where it's like putting a blanket between your ears and the sound. I can't help you with the 4.4mm comparison, but the underlying principle to obtain the best sound is minimum contact path from the headphone jack to the cables

 

[Noobzilla]

PSquare is probably extra 50 USD IIRC. I compared the PSquared to the TermX just last week at a meet. TermX dials down on soundstage and clarity, and less refinement in the note edges but not as much worse as using an adapter where it's like putting a blanket between your ears and the sound. I can't help you with the 4.4mm comparison, but the underlying principle to obtain the best sound is minimum contact path from the headphone jack to the cables

Got a reply. The $100 fee is using Oyaide PSquared. Now I just need to decide if I'm going to get SP2000 or pursue SP3000. Leaning towards SP2000 because I cant imagine carrying anything bigger and heavier

 

[shznn]

Got a reply. The $100 fee is using Oyaide PSquared. Now I just need to decide if I'm going to get SP2000 or pursue SP3000. Leaning towards SP2000 because I cant imagine carrying anything bigger and heavier

I got just the dap for you ^^

 

[Noobzilla]

I got just the dap for you ^^

I saw! Good price! I'm being offered a trade for my Sony Wm1am2 but his sp2000 has screen crack just on the outer glass though still fully functional so he is discounting. Otherwise, would get yours

 

[holsen]

It's no secret I love the Ares S 8W - It's a marvel of a Copper Cable adding note weight to the lower end, bringing vocal clarity and enhancing resolution across the board. I hadn't yet tried it with my EDP which I've had paired up with the Code 24C and loving it. Anyway, I had a couple of hours of playtime afforded me this morning and I started playing with cables and landed on the Ares S with the EDP and I can definitely hear quite a few differences between the two cables on this set of IEMs.

As much as I love the EDP with the C24C - the Ares S 8W gave me the same meaty, reolving sound but made the whole presentation more intimate. I'm not saying that's better or worse, I'm saying it's a different presentation. I've been listening to Patricia Barber's Modern Cool album back and forth with these two cables and they are both exquiste. With the AS8W Patricia's voice, the trumpet and drums are just sublime. If I look at the stage as left to right, rear centre and front, shes sitting centre stage just forward of mid point with her lips pressed up against the grill of the mic with the depth of bass and drum enveloping her, cymbals dancing from the side around her. It's an intimate stage full of feeling.

Going over to the C24C on the same IEM, the stage widens out taking on a holographic effect, keeping all the depths and visceral feel of the bass and drums - but moves Patricia further up towards the front of the stage and adds quite a bit of energy almost like the volume increases with more resolution. It's an incredible cable. I can't say that one is better than the other - in fact I'd say that every single EA cable I have is outstanding and pairs well with every IEM I have or had - they are all vast improvement over stock - they just just present differently enhancing different qualities. As for the Ares S 8W vs Code 24C I'm glad I have both and would be perfectly happy with either had I never heard the other. I'll likely stick with 24C on the EDP unless I take them on the road inwhich case I'll swap out to the AS8W for ergonomincs. When I want a non fatiguing emotional listen Ares S 8W and when I want to inject a little more energy C24C . I hope this helps someone tossing around between the two. If you've got an IEM where you want some more resolution and a bit more clairity in the treble with out sacrificing the warmth and depth of copper - both these cables with do it. 24C with bring a bit more energy. If you have an IEM where you want to tame the upper end a bit - AS8W - that how I hear it with I'm listening to right now.