Hey!
I'm looking for a neutral reference cable to pair with:
- 64 audio u18t
- Lotoo Paw 6000
I'm set on the Plato 8wire cable, but would love to educate myself more.
I'm coming from Effect Audio Lionheart 4wire, which is discontinued and would love to support Eletech as my new cable provider!
Perhaps I should consider Project 8 Plato X Socrates or 8wire Prudence?
This is a description of the Lionheart 4wire compared to Leonidas:
"Like a mature older brother Lionheart is less eager to show off. It takes on a more organic, intimate tone with less flourish. Notes are weightier and rounder, with a slower attack and decay, in contrast to the airy and well-textured Leonidas II. The staging is more compact and imaging is well, fuzzier too.
What it lacks in technicalities and soundstage properties, is made up for with a smooth, Nutella-addictive musicality.
Zooming in, the bass is looser and less disciplined than Leonidas II, and the treble sounds blunted in comparison. However, Lionheart hits where it hurts most. Instrument timbre is impeccably accurate and true to life, a thing Leonidas II struggles to replicate. Vocals are more forward and emotional too, perhaps making Lionheart more of a crowd-pleaser than the technical-minded Leonidas II."
https://www.headphonesty.com/2019/03/review-effect-audio-leonidas-ii/
I'm looking to upgrade for something comparable to the Lionheart 8wire.
"Despite the 8-wire’s conservative lower midrange, the Lionheart still maintains its body; constructing notes with generous thickness even up top. Although it is a cleaner profile overall, the cable shies away from crisp and analytical. It toys with the idea of approaching neutral, but it never shakes off the delicacy, softness or organicity inherently imbued into its tone.
The Lionheart thrives because of its spectacular midrange. Vocals and instruments alike convey a natural tone, achieving a level of life-liked-ness that can only be attributed to its balance of richness and energy. Vocalists can go from a gentle whisper to an explosive belt, and the Lionheart portrays that dynamic range excellently; maintaining its gorgeous timbre throughout. Instruments also benefit from excellent depth and decent transparency.
But, even with the 8-wire variant’s cleaner character, it retains some of the 4-wire’s warmth, because of its harmonic presentation. Notes strike big-and-bold with gentle decay, filling the 8-wire’s expansive stage with rich overtones. The 4-wire Lionheart exaggerates this effect, imbuing its sonic palate with a cohesive liquidity; a reverb-like effect that smears together elements of the stage. It creates a less transparent overall image, but this addictive musicality is – to me – what makes the Lionheart so special."
https://theheadphonelist.com/effect-audio-8-wire-lionheart-the-golden-fleece/
The u18t is considered a mid-centric bright monitor. I enjoyed the subtle warmth but detailed mid range that the Lionheart gave. However, much of newer line of cables from said company priorities slower decay to reach musicality.
I'm looking for something fast and smooth, hence Plato.
I considered Iliad, but heard it was a textured cable, which the 64 audio Monitors already have plenty of. Also, the bass, though clean, was lifted above neutral.
I'm looking for the subtle warmness in the midbass to balance the u18t. But with a transparent and detailed (not bright) cable.
I have no curiosity to consider the Leonidas, when Eletech exists!
PS I love the seasonal 8 wire variants and everything about their handcrafted bespoke process.
