Just got the Han Sound Redcore. Oh doesn't it look pretty!
Brief first impression
Despite the introduction on the Music Sanctuary's website describing the colour of cable as scarlet, it is actually beetroot coloured to be precise.
Terminated with either Furutech FT-735R or FT-7254 plugs, the Redcore shares a similar look to the sensational 1960 4 wire cable from PW audio. In fact, just as each wire in the 1960s contains 2 conductors, there is a silver and a copper wire in each nylon sleeve of the Redcore.
Ergonomics:
The Redcore is slightly stiffer than the 1960s, and the nylon sleeving feels slightly rough. However, the Redcore is still very comfortable to wear. Microphonics is present, but very occasional. (BTW the least microphonic upgrade cable I've tried recently is the PW No.5 and the Effect Audio line-up.) Also, the cable feels quite light, and doesn't put a load on my ears.
Sound:
Right off the bat, the Redcore sounds "just right". I often use Daft Punk's Instant Crush as my test track for cables, as it is interestingly mastered, and any sonic signature brought about by the cable is very obvious. On Redcore with Zeus R, the treble is airy - not energetic kind of sparkly + forwardly-placed, but instead, it is fast, bright and articulate. Somehow, the treble sounds like that of Whiplash TWag V3.
The bass is energetic and tight, with a slight hint of warmth, similar to the 4-wired 1960s. Mids are detailed and slightly forward. The vocals in Instant Crush sounds neither too laidback, nor too forward or too full - just as how it is mastered.
The Redcore is a transparent cable. The reverb in Daft Punk's Within sounds steady and extended. It is definitely not as transparent as PWaudio's 1960, however. On the bright side, it tames the aggressive highs in some tracks. An example is Ed Sheeran's Eraser. On the 1960s, the transparent nature of the cable makes Ed Sheeran's vocal and guitar sound sharp and almost harsh. On the other hand, with Redcore, the same track still sounds upbeat and energetic, but not aggressive at all. So in some sense, the Redcore is a more "forgiving" and less transparent 1960s.
Redcore's soundstage is excellent too. It has a wide 3D like soundstage, albeit not as deep as it is wide. I can't find a apt way to describe it, but in short, I can pin-point where each instrument is placed. (Such as in Muse's MK Ultra.)
I'm gonna burn in the cable now. Can't wait to see what it turns out to be after the burn-in.