[Kukua]

Kimber Axios - $930 for 2m, 4-pin XLR (Looks like a custom Switchcraft with ebony wood strain relief, gold-plated copper pins)
Lavricables Grand - $490 for 2m, 4-pin XLR (Neutrik NC4MXXB)
Danacable Lazuli Reference FC - $1199 for 2m, 4-pin XLR (Furutech)

thanks!

 

[Whitigir]

I'm hoping Lavricables win this comparison.

Hardly Kimber Axios is at least 21 AWG. The larger the size, the better the conductivity, the more expensive the materials, and the better performances. Speaking out of my own experiences

 

[fiascogarcia]

Hardly

Kimber Axios is at least 21 AWG. The larger the size, the better the conductivity, the more expensive the materials, and the better performances. Speaking out of my own experiences

I would think the shielding characteristics of the construction would be more important, but my knowledge of this could be fit in a thimble.

 

[Whitigir]

I would think the shielding characteristics of the construction would be more important, but my knowledge of this could be fit in a thimble.

That as well , shielding can be substituted by braiding, and different geometry will affect the sound performances differently . The reason why many aftermarket cable is braided style. However, stock cables has a throughout body shield

Again, everything affect sound performances.

 

[TSAVJason]

That as well , shielding can be substituted by braiding, and different geometry will affect the sound performances differently . The reason why many aftermarket cable is braided style. However, stock cables has a throughout body shield

Again, everything affect sound performances.

Shielding is cheaper but ads resistance

 

[Khragon]

Hardly Kimber Axios is at least 21 AWG. The larger the size, the better the conductivity, the more expensive the materials, and the better performances. Speaking out of my own experiences

Grand Lavricables is a 20x awg28 cable, so 5x awg28 per connection, that worked out to be effectively awg21, so same league as the Kimber Axios. Kimber cable is also just copper, Lavricables are silver.

 

[pervysage]

The Danacable will be interesting to me...keep us posted when you have a chance

 
x2
 

  Received the Axios today from Kimber (that was fast!). Pretty impressed so far... seems to bring everything into focus in a way that makes the stock cable sound slightly "blurry" in comparison. I feel like I can hear all the space around instruments, even in busy sections. The most noticeable thing is that I can hear all the nuances and the quietest echoes from reverb, even when a lot of other stuff is going on. Harmonic tones from electric guitars and female vocals seem much more clear and present. The overall sound is a little bit forward, but it doesn't feel like there's less bass when switching between cables. I think there's just so much more to hear now in the midrange and upper registers that I can't help but pay attention to it. This is the first cable I've tried that seems like it improves on the stock cable without trade offs. I'm still waiting to receive the Lavricable Grand and Danacable though.

 
Look forward to hearing your impressions

 

[hapnermw]

I just recently purchased a Utopia and thought I’d provide a few brief thoughts on its sound.

To give it the best source material, I chose two CDs I’ve gotten recently. Both have exceptionally involving music and are examples of the current state-of-the-art in CD engineering, Mariza - Fado Em Mim and Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississippi. 

I a/b’ed these with the Utopia and HD800 w/french  mod (which I felt was an upgrade from the LCD-3 I previously owned). My equipment is a Yggy+Rag sourced from iTunes+BitPerfect over USB. The HD800 has a Q Cables balanced cable and the Utopia has the stock cable (soon to be switched to the Q when the Utopia adapters arrive).

There isn’t much to say other than the Utopia has a level of punch, realism and musicality that I’ve never heard before from a recording. This is clear evidence that there is nothing ‘missing’ on well recorded redbook CDs when played on the right equipment. This music on the Utopia comes out of a layered blackness with all the energy and detail I’ve only ever heard before sitting in my local jazz club - Yoshi’s.

In comparison, the music produced by the HD800 was distanced, veiled and far less involving. Someone on this thread compared the difference to HDR - they were spot on.

My wallet definitely is in the dumps but my musical soul is riding high …

 

[eantala]

  I just recently purchased a Utopia and thought I’d provide a few brief thoughts on its sound.

To give it the best source material, I chose two CDs I’ve gotten recently. Both have exceptionally involving music and are examples of the current state-of-the-art in CD engineering, Mariza - Fado Em Mim and Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississippi. 

I a/b’ed these with the Utopia and HD800 w/french  mod (which I felt was an upgrade from the LCD-3 I previously owned). My equipment is a Yggy+Rag sourced from iTunes+BitPerfect over USB. The HD800 has a Q Cables balanced cable and the Utopia has the stock cable (soon to be switched to the Q when the Utopia adapters arrive).

There isn’t much to say other than the Utopia has a level of punch, realism and musicality that I’ve never heard before from a recording. This is clear evidence that there is nothing ‘missing’ on well recorded redbook CDs when played on the right equipment. This music on the Utopia comes out of a layered blackness with all the energy and detail I’ve only ever heard before sitting in my local jazz club - Yoshi’s.

In comparison, the music produced by the HD800 was distanced, veiled and far less involving. Someone on this thread compared the difference to HDR - they were spot on.

My wallet definitely is in the dumps but my musical soul is riding high …

great write up and I concurr.
going on nothing but the Utopia for the last month, I need to whip out my hd800 and lcdX to compare myself. 

 

[phaeton70]

  I just recently purchased a Utopia and thought I’d provide a few brief thoughts on its sound.

 

..........

 

My wallet definitely is in the dumps but my musical soul is riding high …

 
same feelings here, and same place for my wallet 

 

[meomap]

same feelings here, and same place for my wallet 

Not just Utopia. Amp, dac, cd player, turntable, phono pa, and needle.
Mighty expensive hobby.

 

[strangecargo]

Cable odyssey update: Just got the Danacable Reference FC. Like the Axios, it's obvious out of the box that it's a clear upgrade over the stock cable, but it's completely different in nature to the Axios. Going to spend a few hours A/Bing and letting them "cook" a little before I get into the details.

 

[bronzboy]

Not just Utopia. Amp, dac, cd player, turntable, phono pa, and needle.
Mighty expensive hobby.

I'm cheap so I only picked up the Elear.  In regard to all the equipment, I just have to put on the HD file of Gaucho and all is forgiven.

 

[Whitigir]

Grand Lavricables is a 20x awg28 cable, so 5x awg28 per connection, that worked out to be effectively awg21, so same league as the Kimber Axios. Kimber cable is also just copper, Lavricables are silver.

That sounds correct . Must be very stiff eh . But more impressions - more choices for people

 

[boomtube]

Curious if anyone is using Violectric V281 or 280 with their Utopia's...if so, your impressions?