[arrowmark]

Anyone try the Z- Sleeve from www.zcable.com? I am auditioning one now on Homegrown Audio's Silver Lace's interconnect thats hooked up to my Wheatfield HA-1. Arrowmark

 

[Audio Addict]

I have 4 of them in my system. I can't pinpoint the changes but everything just seems to have stepped up a notch. Both female and male vocals are very smooth and the overall extension of piano, saxes and all instruments is just outstanding. I have a Z-SLEEVE on the Digital Duet digital cable as well as on each Black Magic speaker cable in my main system. I also put the other Z-SLEEVE over a pair of ZCable LIVE v3 in my secondary system and it has provided a similar effect on that system.

 

[arrowmark]

How many hours break-in time elapsed before noticable improvement? Also, I noticed from your profile you have the TDS passive Audiophile. Is that in your system also? Arrowmark

 

[Audio Addict]

As to break in, I would say a good week. However, right away I noticed an increase in the volume level. It was almost like the first time I put a pair of LIVE interconnects into my system.

As to the TDS, I strictly use that with the headphone systems. I have it just before the HeadRoom Home to increase the resolution of the input there. I also have a second TDS that I use for my computer HeadRoom Little setup to again increase the resolution here as well.

I had the TDS in my main listening system but the slightest hum was amplified 6db so ultimately I had to take them out. Without the TDS, the hum is not noticeable unless you press your ear against the speaker. I worked with the TDS staff and even tried balance units but in the end I could not get rid of the hum so I converted them to headphone duty which has worked out well.

 

[arrowmark]

Thanks for the info, I might try another Z-sleeve on my Duet also. Arrowmark

 

[Squalish]

Ferrite beads(what these seem to be) should slightly decrease, not increase, the signal strength(increases impedence in the cable). I'm not sure what kind of attenuation is at audio frequencies, the idea is that is is much lower than at radio frequencies, but there shouldn't be a gain in signal strength.

Here's a $10 alternative, if anyone wants to try it:

Quote:

originally posted on PercyAudio's catalog AQ RF Stoppers: RF suppressing ferrite clamps to fit around power and signal cables; they add 240§Ù of impedance at 100MHz which AQ claims is 40% more attenuation than the TDK and similar products¡¦ Jr.'s fit cables to 9mm $31.50/set 8 Sr.'s fit cables to 10mm $45.95/set of 4 12.5mm ID one piece EMI suppressor core with heat shrink @$4.95 each This is the RF Stopper Audioquest used on their AC-12 power cord.

Likewise, Surplus of Nebraska has an extensive selection, several pages of both split and unsplit ferrite beads.

 

[Vertigo-1]

I got to try these in my system for a month...they didn't show any particularly outstanding differences in anything. If I did hear anything, which was a slight smoothening to the mids when used on ICs, and a slightly blacker background for PCs, it could've just as easily been placebo effects.

The Live interconnects on the other hand are very awesome. No ifs, buts, or elses about what those did for my system.

 

[RickG]

Quote:

Originally posted by Vertigo-1 The Live interconnects on the other hand are very awesome. No ifs, buts, or elses about what those did for my system.

I couldn't agree more. Amazing IC's...

 

[DarkAngel]

Is anyone using these on full size stereo..........I suspect you will hear more difference (if there is any to hear) in this application.

I got to say the claims by Z cable sound a bit too much like hype,
20-200% improvement in sound

Also would be much easier to use if Z Sleeve was slit down the side, could fit over cables without disconnecting and be easier to determine if any sound improvement is occuring.

Quote:

Ferrite beads(what these seem to be) should slightly decrease, not increase, the signal strength(increases impedence in the cable). I'm not sure what kind of attenuation is at audio frequencies, the idea is that is is much lower than at radio frequencies, but there shouldn't be a gain in signal strength.

These use layers of ERS material which is high tech stuff, not sure if it contains any ferrous material.

 

[DarkAngel]

I have seen this other product that "wraps" around AC cords and covers larger area.........but does not use the ERS cloth:

Powerwrap

 

[arrowmark]

The Z-Sleeve is reviewed at www.stereotimes.com