added effect audio vogue series cables to the database. impressed with these ultra light cables.
230,
232,
234. effect audio vogue series.
these are the budget line from a very reputed brand from Singapore.
links:
https://www.effectaudio.com/vogue-series.html
in these models, they also use up-occ litz wires, my fav, but with a more refined geometry and other innovations: triple size of strands into each core, like famous cardas clear light but adding kevlar fibers in the center to improve durability; golden ratio dispersion, which should help to avoid some undesired harmonics; ultraflexi sleeve; very light and ergonomic (flatten surfaces) plugs (jack, termination plugs, and splitter).
i'm going to compare these cables with the equivalent cema electro acousti cables, to check if these innovations make a noticeable improvement.
it is difficult to notice the subtle sound differences between such high quality cables, so it could be bias, but i think there are higher dynamics and very slightly deeper soundstage, blacker background, which helps with imaging, separation, and microdetails. tried with hifiman ananda and moondrop blessing. the new geometry is a success in my opinion.
about resistance and capacitance, these cables (4 cores) are true 26awg per signal, so their conductivity are closer to 8 cores versions of cema cables than to 4 cores versions (28awg), while their parallel capacitance is closer to 4 cores versions, which is great.
i think that cema eagle plugs are higher quality than the minimal versions sported in this vogue series, but the counterpart is that vogue cables result extremely light (check the weight) and comfortable (thanks to the flat surfaces, frequent un/plugging is easier for me; the plastic chin slider does its job).
the cables are very flexible, and didn't notice microphonics.
considering all this, and comparing the prices (remember effect audio makes discounts from time to time), these cables are now my favorites, in par, if not better, than my favorite cema cables.
234. ea vogue grandioso upocc cu+ag lz 4c (silv+cop,ea,M)
2 cores of up-occ copper litz + 2 cores of up-occ silver litz, triple-size and golden ratio dispersion, 26AWG per core/signal, woven kevlan fibers inside, ultraflexi (kind of PE?) sheath available colors: transparent sleeve (copper and silver colors), black sleeve for copper cores (black and silver colors).
2.5mm jack, 2pins:.179..202..203..169 mΩ..[15.4g]..81..80 pF..[119cm]
outer diameter: 4.2mm. length from splitter: 39cm.
resistance measurements suggest silver cores are used in left- and right+. not an issue in balanced cables.
perception of tonality is extended, balanced and natural, like with 175. copper helps with bass (impactful, good extension and bass rumble while very well textured), and silver helps with treble (good extension and body, airy and sparkling but keeping naturalness). they are the most neutral and balanced cables i've tried (they don't alter the tonal signature), without loosing detail (all the frequencies along the instruments ringing are perceived even, smooth, no holes nor peaks), thanks to the exceptional soundstage and black background.
i think the way both cables achieve highs preservation is different. guess than AuAg (silver) strands in 175 results brighter than silver strands of 234 if same thickness, while 234 gets same brightness due to the thinner inner strands while controlling undesired harmonics between strands thanks to golden ratio dispersion. but these are pure guessings...
voices, both male (low mids) and female (upper mids), keep a good body; they are not located in front, there is some distance thanks to the deep soundstage, but all the details are preserved and noticed.
very difficult to find differences with 175, but maybe 234 has got a bit higher dynamics, blacker background.
this is my actual
favorite hybrid cable and favorite absolute cable from all i've tried, together with 175 (cema electro acousti).
wire comparison with 175 (right). 234 has got thinner sleeve, and thicker wire (due to center kevlar fibers, plus overall thicker wire).
about copper wire, outer strands look similar diameter than strands of 175, inner strands will be thinner. silver strands of 175 are thicker than outer strands of 234, and much thicker than inner strands.
230. ea vogue maestro upocc cu lz 4c (copper,ea,M)
4 cores of up-occ copper litz, triple-size and golden ratio dispersion, 26AWG per core/signal, woven kevlan fibers inside, ultraflexi (kind of PE?) sheath available colors: transparent and black.
2.5mm jack, 2pins:.170..182..178..172 mΩ..[14.9g]..80..79 pF..[118cm]
outer diameter: 4.2mm. length from splitter: 38cm.
perception of tonality is balanced and natural, like 171. up-occ wires are more balanced than many other copper cables, because they don't eat the highs. impactful bass, well extended, bass rumble, while well textured and controlled (but not as much as 234). maybe a bit darker, but not much, than 234.
very difficult to find differences with 171. maybe slightly deeper stage and blacker background, but it could be bias..
this is my actual
favorite copper cable together with 171 (cema electro acousti).
wire comparison with 171 (right in first pic, left in second pic). 230 has got thinner sleeve, and thicker wire (due to center kevlar fibers, plus overall thicker wire). you can notice some of the thinner inner strands in the second pic.
232. ea vogue virtuoso upocc spz lz 4c (silver,ea,M)
4 cores of up-occ silver plated copper litz, triple-size and golden ratio dispersion, 26AWG per core/signal, woven kevlan fibers inside, ultraflexi (kind of PE?) sheath available colors: transparent and black.
2.5mm jack, 2pins:.190..169..169..178 mΩ..[15.1g]..82..81 pF..[118cm]
outer diameter: 4.2mm. length from splitter: 38cm.
perception of tonality is clearly brighter than 230 and 234, due to tighter bass (less bass rumble and extension, but very well textured) and to airier and sparkler upper mids and treble. it's curious that silver plated up-occ copper is way brighter than up-occ pure silver. the result is not as natural as 234 nor 230. maybe because i tested it using an slightly bright DAC+amplifier (xduoo x20) and slightly bright headphones (hifiman ananda), i much prefer 234 and even 230. but this cable can be used with dark combos which like some more treble energy.
soundstage and background noise are in par with other quality up-occ litz wires. upper mids, female voices, look forwarder than in 234 & 230.
i don't own many silver plated cables (not my cup of tea), and didn't compare this cable with 128 (one of the best spc cables i've tested); will do it when i get some more time, but due to quality up-occ wire (stage and background) and lightness, this is my
favorite silver plated copper cable at this moment. very good for dark combos.
