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Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Acoustic Zen MC2=Zen (Digital) Cable by chris.redmond2@bushinternet.com

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REVIEW: Acoustic Zen MC2=Zen (Digital) Cable

212.159.148.56


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Model: MC2=Zen (Digital)
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $298.00/ $328.00
Description: Zero Crystal Silver 110 Ohm Digital, 1.0 meter w/RCA / XLRplug
Manufacturer URL: Acoustic Zen
Model Picture: View

Review by chris.redmond2@bushinternet.com ( A ) on March 24, 2002 at 07:18:18
IP Address: 212.159.148.56
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for the MC2=Zen (Digital)


First of all this review is not of the 110 Ohm cable in the heading, but is of a true 75 Ohm MC2 available as a special order and not advertised on the Zen website.

Because of the 110 Ohm impedence for RCA application there were a couple of theoretical mismatches which although they may have been totally innaudible in practice, did have me apprehensive about purchasing this highly praised cable blind so to speak.
As it turned out, although the only 75 Ohm designs advertised were silver/copper hybrids, the MC2 `zero crystal` digital IC was indeed available at the correct 75 Ohm impedence with the added bonus of BNC termination (if wanted) for even greater impedence matching for non-balanced equipment.

Talking of bonuses though, the price was now just $198 presumedly because only two silver conductors were used rather than the three of the adapted balanced?
I managed to get an even better price so if anyone`s interested I`ll direct you to the relevent party.

Physically the cable is a very substantial but quite flexible - the BNC`s I stipulated appear to be of excellent quality but then after 30 years in the trade I`d imagine Robert Lee (formerly Harmonic Technology) knows where to source his terminations to maximise price/performance.
My sample was burned in on one of the commercially available `cookers` before shipping to me but I gather these only perform 90% or so of burn-in and in system use is prefered for completion of the process - hopefully this has now been done but I`ve not noticed any change to be honest.

For comparison I had my Stealth Fineline Mk2 pure silver with RCA/Phono termination - itself an excellent cable which came heavily recomended, as did the more expensive Stealth Varidig which was out of my price range at the time.

On initially fitting the MC2 in situ the Stealth seemed slightly murky/dull by comparison, but more prolonged listening suggests the Stealth is simply smoother in it`s presentation whilst the MC2 is more revealing of the recording - slightly more vibrant; certainly the differences aren`t as night and day as I`d first thought, but my preference is for the Zen as I feel it`s the most neutral of the two and will reward future upgrades to a greater degree.
As it stands I won`t be looking at more expensive digital cables - ever - because others who have more experience with direct comparisons of digital IC`s are bowled over by the 110 Ohm MC2`s performance; the enjoythemusic.com review being particularly positive in this respect.

Because of the `special order` status of the 75 Ohm MC2 expect to wait longer than you would for off the shelf options, but also expect to be extremely happy with your purchase.


Product Weakness: Ziltch.
Product Strengths: Correct impedence, terminations, lively/transparent presentation but also smooth with suitable recordings.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: EAR 509 valve monoblocs
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audio Note M2
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Audio Note DAC4.1x with Wadia WT3200 Transport.
Speakers: Tannoy Monitor Gold 15" drivers in new cabinets, with new crossovers.
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber Select 1020.
Music Used (Genre/Selections): You name it, I done it.
Room Size (LxWxH): 15` x 15` x 9`
Room Comments/Treatments: none.
Time Period/Length of Audition: Month or so.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio P600 power regenerator, separate spur with Kimber mains cable.
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): as above.




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Topic - REVIEW: Acoustic Zen MC2=Zen (Digital) Cable - chris.redmond2@bushinternet.com 07:18:18 03/24/02 ( 18)