Any tests on FiiO LC-RE Pro, LC-RD Pro, and/or PWA M2?
I can't believe I actually bought backwards adapters... Or why they are even made/sold? Can SE to bal adapters even be used for anything?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2251832690675017.html
No tests of these cables by me.
Using SE adapter in a balanced output is a risk. If L- and R- channels are shorted into the adapter, it can damage the amplification stage of your source (depending of its protections). And you never get balanced benefits (power, minimum crosstalk = wider soundstage). So this kind of adapters are useless for me as well; the only possible use is having only balanced outputs and SE cable, which is very rare (most balanced sources usually have additional SE output).
That's why I suggest choosing balanced version of cables if you ever plan to get balanced outputs. You can use SE to balanced adapters to use a balanced cable on a SE output, safely.
Can you also add the KZ 784 Silver/blue resistance measurement? I bought one and measured it but it shows 0.0 miliohms compare to my other cable that shows 0.2.
I can only add measurements of cables I own, or cables sent to me by manufacturers, distributors, or particulars. I can't spend in new cables anymore.
Update on my list:
| Resistance in milliohm | Length in meter | Link | Price (I bought for) |
| Traillii Cable [PW Audio 1960s 4-Wire] (2,5) | 90 | 1,2 | | |
| PW Audio Moloch (4,4mm) | 59 | 1,2 | https://www.mtmtaudio.com/en-de/products/pw-audio-titan-series-moloch-iem-earphone-upgrade-cable | 399,00 € |
| Odin Cable [Stormbreaker] (4,4) | 167 | 1,2 | | |
| Vision Ears Phönix Cable (2,5mm) | 125 | | | |
| CEMA Crystal / Red Cable (2,5mm) | 68 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005001469501133.html | 83,00 € |
| Hakugei Little Harmony Cable (3,5) | 250 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002362429239.html | 56,00 € |
| Hakugei Ancient Great Forest Cable (2,5) | 115 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005001940676478.html | 115,00 € |
| Hakugei Great Harmony Cable [8 share] (2,5mm) | 130 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/4001040630053.html | 150,00 € |
| Hakugei Great Harmony Cable [8 share] (3,5mm) | 110 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/4001040630053.html | 150,00 € |
| Purple Cable (3,5) | 130 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002213299475.html | 30,00 € |
| Purple Cable (2,5) | 105 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002213299475.html | 30,00 € |
| OpenHeart 8 core silver plated (2,5) | 85 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002627350236.html | 16,00 € |
| OpenHeart 8 core silver plated (4,4) | 85 | 1,2 | https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002627350236.html | 16,00 € |
Added: PW Audio Moloch + Vision Ears Phönix.
PW Audio Moloch so far the best cable I have measured.
Fantastic additions! They are very interesting cables. Thanks!
So lower resistance in ohms means better sound quality?
Does cable material (e.g., single crystal copper vs OCC copper vs silver plated copper) actually not affect sound quality and the resistance measurement is all that matters?
I listened via (1) Rose Maria II single crystal copper cable VS (2) Mest Indigo PWA Upgraded UM Copper M3 Cable (OCC copper) VS (3) ThieAudio EST Litz 5N OCC Silver Plated cable, and in terms of resolution, (1) and (2) were clearly above (3). However, (2) and (3) shared the same low end emphasis and boosted bass frequencies significantly, even though (1) provided greater detail and soundstage height than (3). Both (1) and (2) had more detail and resolution than (3), but (1)'s bass and sub-bass notes sounded lifted and much brighter in all frequencies.
So I would've assumed (1) and (2) both have lower resistance in ohms, but since their sound signatures are so different, does it mean that single crystal copper has a much brighter sound signature? Why did the OCC copper cable and silver plated copper cable share the same sound warmer sound signature? I would've though silver plated was supposed to be brighter.
Btw, perceived differences were not slight, but huge, especially between cable (1) vs cables (2) and (3). Definitely could not hear the details in cable (3)'s low end and bass notes were much more rounded compared to cables (1) and (2). Cable (1) was super bright like walking from a dark room into a bright room.
My opinion is shown in the first post of the thread. The lower resistance, the better. But once you are below required resistance regards of your gear, materials (conductor, sheaths, plugs) and geometry, mark the difference absolutely.
What a thread! Can you ID the wires used in these cables?
Effect Audio Ares S
Liquid Links Conti
FiftyStrings MQ3 Pro
CEMA RX
In general, how are you able to ID the wires?
Thanks.
I usually rely on manufacturer/vendor provided information; measurements can confirm part of that info.
All of the cables linked claim to be 4 * 24AWG. So 24AWG per channel, resistance should be 110-120 miliOhms per channel.
Diameter and amount of threads, and details about geometry, are missing info, but visually you can see the threads are twisted in various packs, which are also twisted (Litz geometry) in all them. Only MQ3 says something about 50 threads.
Ares S and MQ3 Pro specify they use UP-OCC copper. I can vouch for Ares, because Effect Audio is trustable in this matter. About MQ3, I can't guess.
Effect Audio Ares S provides this info:
- Selected Premium UP-OCC Copper Litz
- Proprietary Dual Geometric Design
- EPO* 24 AWG 4 Wires
- EA Ultra Flexi™ Insulation
- ConX ™ Interchangeable Connector
- Rhodium Plated Brass Straight Type Plug
Based on my experience about anterior entry line from Effect Audio, Vogue series, I'd go for this Ares S from new entry line, Signature series. Price is similar to MQ3 Pro.
It does use true UP-OCC copper Litz (enameled), new version is thicker (24AWG compared with 26AWG of Maestro in Vogue series), and it sports ConX interchangeable connector, which is a big advantage, compared to using adapters.
