Well, I just received this morning (in France) my VENUS upgrade balanced cable (UP series) with its XLR--> 6..35 mm Jack adapter, for my 2A3 tube amp.
The packaging of these cables is worthy of luxury Japanese production: impeccable: bravo to the little, very attentive Chinese hands.
The UP cable (and adapter) are superb; impeccable finish.
All that remains is to listen to the VENUS with it's upgrade cable (this afternoon) .
(Note: My son's PARA inherits the silver V-LINE cable from the VENUS, for even more transparency for this headphone revealing a very beautiful, precise and clear midrange).
This afternoon I was able to listen to my VENUS headphones with their UP series pure copper Litz wire symmetrical upgrade cable versus the V-Line series silver-plated copper symmetrical stock cable supplied with the VENUS.
I must admit I was a little disappointed by this new UP cable; indeed, this UP series cable brings more warmth to the sound of the VENUS, but also a greater mattness; but for my ear, the VENUS didn't need it; compared with the silver-plated V-Line cable, we lose a little in sonic relief, sonic detail and "breathing"; the sound is more uniform and that's a bit of a shame. What's more, this UP cable is heavier and thicker than the VENUS V-Line silver-plated stock cable, which adds slightly to the weight of the headphone.
I then listened to my son's PARA headphones with this same new UP-series pure copper balanced cable, compared to the other balanced, silver (V-Line series) cable of the VENUS.
Both cables are interesting for the PARA, compared with the black stock cable (3.5 mm unbalanced jack) supplied with the PARA.
First of all (but this is not my case), these two balanced cables will bring more power (and gain) to the PARA if you have a headphone amp with true balanced outputs (XLR 4-pin or 4.4 mm balanced jack).
In terms of sound, as already mentioned, the VENUS' silver-plated cable gives the PARA a more transparent and slightly more defined sound, further enhancing the PARA's sensation of great clarity in the midrange and upper midrange (highlighted), but with a sound that's a little light, lacking a little thickness and warmth.
This is where the UP series pure copper symmetrical cable comes in, which is interesting with the PARA, bringing a certain warmth and fullness (thickness) to the midrange (which was a little lacking); the upper midrange is less emphasized; the highs are slightly recessed, smoother, which by contrast, when listening a little louder, gives a better perception and fullness of the bass.
Overall, listening is more pleasant, more euphonious and smoother, with this UP cable as a possible upgrade to the PARA (compared with its stock cable).
In short, these two upgrade cables for the PARA : UP series (pure copper) and V-Line (silver-plated copper) each bring something more (but different) to the PARA; I like them both and prefer them both to the PARA's stock (black) cable.
After all, as always, the choice of cables (and headphones) is above all a matter of taste and ear sensitivity; nothing will replace your own listening to these headphones and upgrade cables. You've been warned.
Last edited: