Home
AudioAsylum Trader
Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Basis Audio Basis Audio Hy-Per Shield Power Cable Cable by JazzDude

Interconnects, speaker wire, power cords. Ask the Cable Guys.

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

REVIEW: Basis Audio Basis Audio Hy-Per Shield Power Cable Cable

24.5.101.87


[ Follow Ups ] Thread:  [ Display   All   Email ] [ Cable Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

Model: Basis Audio Hy-Per Shield Power Cable
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $1,200 per 6 foot run
Description: Power Cord
Manufacturer URL: Basis Audio
Manufacturer URL: Basis Audio

Review by JazzDude ( A ) on December 08, 2005 at 18:46:17
IP Address: 24.5.101.87
Add Your Review
for the Basis Audio Hy-Per Shield Power Cable


This is a review of 3 new cable products from Basis Audio. These are the PSTT Interconnect Cable, the PSTT Speaker Cable, and the Hy-Per Shield Power Cord. First some background. I am not a cable guy. I do not get hot and bothered about cables whether they are the ones that just received a rave review or are the “fabulous” cable that one of my friends acquired. I recognize that cables can impact a system’s sound. But once one gets to a certain level, cables seem to affect a system by varying one or two parameters and are but used to fine-tune or correct a system deficiency. Neither of which I am looking to fiddle with. Then there is this hype thing that is part and parcel to audio cables, where some odd characteristic is pushed as the reason a cable is the ultimate over all others at providing sonic nirvana. It does not take much contemplation to grasp that many of these characteristics are but marketing ploys designed to reel in the naïve.

I am quite pleased with the cables currently in my system. About a month ago, two audiophiles and their wives visited and frequently broke out in applause while listening. What better compliment could one receive? Thus if I am going to spend any bucks, it will be to upgrade a system component and gain significant sonic improvements.

Over the years, I have owned several Basis turntables and their fine tonearm. I’ve been ecstatic at the level of performance achieved which has always exceeded the understated expectations as set after talking to Basis. The glowing reports from people who’ve used these new cables caught my attention. After some time, I decided to evaluate them. OK, I admit that my previous experiences with Basis helped to pique my interest. Nevertheless, my intrigue did not supersede my feelings that my system was not in need of the type of fine-tuning that cables provide.

In this review, I’ll describe the affects of adding the new cable products at a somewhat high level. Then, I’ll describe in-depth differences between the stock Avantgarde power cord from Cardas and the Basis power cord, specifically as they affect performance on Avantgarde Duo speakers. I installed the cables in stages, first the interconnects, then power cords, and then the speaker cables. For more in-depth information about these cables, please peruse the Basis website (www.basisaudio.com).

Step One : Installed Basis Audio PSTT Interconnect cable from my step-up transformer to preamp and from my preamp to amp. If an interconnect improves the sound of a system, typically the improvement pertains to one or possibly two of the following characteristics: timbre, frequency response extension, imaging, focus, system transparency, noise floor, or warmth. But this was not what occurred with the PSTT cables. Simply using any of the previously mentioned terms would not do justice to the sonic benefits obtained as each and every sonic parameter improved. It was as though my other interconnects were clogged and had severely impeded the flow of music, and that the PSTT cables eliminated this restriction allowing music to flow unimpeded.

Step Two : Installed Basis Audio Hy-Per Shield Power Cords to my turntable, preamp, amplifier, and Avantgarde Duo speakers. Again, the improvement was not subtle. As with the Basis interconnect cables, about every sonic parameter improved and again it was as though a severe impedance in the flow of the music was eliminated. In the past, I noticed that some power cords reduced the noise floor, increased bass, or provided a slight improvement in transparency. No power cord that I’ve ever heard about provides the number of sonic improvements as the Basis cord. I remain stunned that a power cord upgrade made this much impact.

Step Three : Installed the Basis Audio PSTT speaker cables. Again the improvement was not subtle. Although many things improved, the principle impact was more of a correction to how music sounds. Each instrument including voices gained a significantly more realistic character. This was as though prior to the PSTT I mostly heard an instrument’s fundamental frequency but not the harmonics. Now with the PSTT, I head the entire character of each instrument. Instrumental colors were strikingly similar to how they sound in the concert hall; music had significantly more texture & nuance. What it all got down to was that my LPs were more convincing, sounding significantly closer to a live performance and much less like an electrical reproduction.

Examples : I’d like to amplify on two of the improvements gained from the Basis Audio cables. The acoustics in my listening room are reasonably good, though I’ve always had one odd sonic characteristic. That is that many soloists, either vocalists or instrumentalists, are placed in an upstage center position of the soundstage instead of at the expected downstage center position (centered in-between the front plane of the speakers). With the Basis products inserted, the soloist’s positioning moved to the correct downstage center position.

Later on in my cable evaluation I used Viva’s very fine Verona monoblocks with one amp using a power cord from Basis and the other using one of my existing power cords. The result was that soloists once again were located incorrectly in the upstage center position. Upon receiving another power cord enabling both amps use of Basis cords, soloists moved back to the expected downstage center position. This not only proved that room acoustics did not cause the upstage positioning of soloists, but that several design goals stated on the Basis website of perfect stability of impedance and phase correct signal transfer were met.

Another improvement was that my Avantgarde speakers using but the “little” 6 watt Art Audio PX-25 stereo amp reproduced large scale classical music with effortless fortissimos akin to the concert hall. I tell you, things got quite exciting. Even large scale bass dynamics such as from an organ or from the lowest bass notes in Mickey Hart’s Dafos were reproduced seamlessly with both ground and room shaking effect.

A random but endearing listening example is War’s The World is a Ghetto album, United Artists UAS 5652, which was the initial LP played after all of the Basis cables were installed. I’ve always liked the music, but now this not very special United Artists release is a blockbuster. Listen to side 2’s “Four Cornered Room”. Check out that deep rectangular soundstage and the tight tuneful bass. Then check the drums out. No longer are flurries of drum notes but a blurred group of sound that helps keep the beat. Instead, each note builds upon the past note with a slight increase in volume or other nuance that both propels the song and keeps the beat. Now close your eyes and listen to the overall presence as you loose yourself into the illusion that you are 8th row center at a live gig. There are many more things going on that one hears only at concerts that maybe, just maybe, this is no illusion.

Interconnect Cable, Speaker Cable, & Power Cord Summary : These cables did not change one or two or even three sonic attributes that’s typical of other cables. Instead, the affects of adding the Basis Audio interconnects, power cords, and speaker cable were enormous, taking my system to places (concert halls) I couldn’t have imagined previously. The overall impact was equivalent to making several significant component upgrades. To say that I am impressed is being subtle. The Basis cables add up to a huge WOW. Yes, this stuff is freakin’ expensive. But the manner that these cables improved my system was freakin’ impressive. I’ve heard some costly components that are not able to provide as much sonic impact.

POWER CORD COMPARISON ON THE AVANTGARDE DUOs
This section compares the Basis power cord to the Cardas cord that comes with the USA version of the Avantgarde Duo 3.2 speakers, specifically as they affect performance on these speakers. For those unfamiliar with Duos, this power cord delivers the juice to the built-in amplifier that power the Duo’s woofer. During this evaluation, I used the Basis or Cardas power cords to drive the Duos while leaving the Basis interconnects, speaker cables, and the other Basis power cords in the system. I used 3 LPs: Bartok Sonata for 2 Pianos & Percussion , Cambridge Records CRS-1803; Dick Schory Carnegie Hall with Gary Burton, Steve Swallow, Paul Horn, & Joe Morello, Ovation Records OV/14-10-2; and Joni Mitchell’s Clouds , Reprise 6341. Yup, that is Dick Schory of the Bang, Barroom, & Harp fame. After listening to portions of these albums with the Cardas power cords in place, I replaced these with the Basis cords and listened to the same music. I hoped to hear differences while listening to the first two LPs, but did not expect much of a difference from the bass-shy Joni Mitchell LP.

- Bartok Sonata for 2 Pianos & Percussion
Cardas power cord: The initial entry of the percussion creates a large dynamic contrast that impresses in an audiophile way. Subsequent action from the percussion, although this always had an audiophile-like impact, is not as impressive. The drums although not going down super deep are impressive and have very good transient response. Multiple flurries of notes from the drums sound very good. One drum had a somewhat fuzzy nature relative to it’s location on the soundstage. Transients relative to “tic-toc” percussion are fast but not shockingly so.

Basis power cord: The sound from the pianos at the start of this piece herald that the Cardas cords are clearly outclassed. The pianos sound fuller, deeper, more complex and realistic with evidence of harmonics that only now are noticed as missing in action with the Cardas. The initial entry of the percussion no longer impressed in an audiophile way. Instead, it was as though I heard the piece for the first time and was caught unaware of when the percussion would enter. This was so sudden, forceful, and scary that I nearly jumped out of my seat. Subsequent action from the percussion enters with lightening fast & realistic transients. The drum goes down much deeper with a richer more nuanced and realistic drum sound. Instead of good to very good transient response and dynamics from the drums and tic-toc percussion, my notes indicate “scary real”. The location of that one drum is no longer fuzzy. Dynamic contrasts, both micro and macro are much more in evidence with the Basis cords. The music is significantly more natural, more like the real thing heard in the concert hall.

- Dick Schory LP listening to the Futura
Cardas power cord: The flute lacked the expected transient speed evident in the concert hall. The tuba did not go down as low as expected and lacked the complex bulbous-like characteristic that is the foundation for the magical nature of this instrument. The bass sounded OK. Bursts of notes from the drums were somewhat flabby.

Basis power cord: The flute has realistic transient speed. The tuba sound was correct as was the bass. Drums had great texture & dynamic shading along with the propulsive nature and thrust that drums have when heard live. Many more details were evident due to the lower noise floor. There was significantly more ebb & flow in the music due no doubt to better dynamic shading and the lower noise floor. The musical performance was significantly more natural, more believable.

- Dick Schory LP listening to the Concerto for Jazz Orchestra & Drums
Cardas power cord: There was a shrill-ish character such as at the start of the piece and during some horn passages. Cymbals had a tinny characteristic. There was excellent transient response during some of the more dynamic drum passages.

Basis power cord: There was no shrill-ish or tinny sound. Cymbals had a beautiful & realistic shimmer even during quiet passages. There was significantly more subtle dynamic shading during the quieter portions of the drum solo. Drums had a lot more texture & complexity. In listening, one had more awareness that wooden sticks and skins contribute to the unique sound of a drum kit. Transients and macro dynamics were more realistic.

- Dick Schory LP listening to the Sunset Bell
With the Cardas power cord bass was almost imperceptible. With the Basis power cord, bass was clearly evident & not muddled and blurred into the sound of the guitar as heard with the Cardas cord. The sound with the Basis was very natural, excellent micro dynamics especially in the sound of the drums.

- Dick Schory LP listening to the Theme from Midnight Cowboy
With the Cardas cord, the music starts and grows louder. With the Basis cord, the increase in volume happens in a much more effortless, natural manner.

- Joni Mitchell LP listening to The Gallery
Cardas power cord: This cut starts with a guitar section prior to Joni’s singing. Excellent sound lacking a little in presence with a slight impression that one is listening to reproduced music and not at a live concert. The voices in the multi-tracked duet merge and are not as distinct as expected. Joni is not located center stage and the guitar seems to be located behind her.

Basis power cord: Damn! Within seconds, the sonic differences were so vast relative to room acoustics and the sound of the guitar that I assumed I played the wrong side. There was an immediate sense of the acoustic missing with the Cardas. Possibly due to the presence of low frequency details that one senses and might not hear. The guitar now was more focused, positioned at or close to center stage sounding more natural with significantly greater dynamics, body, and details with a complexity & nature akin to the real thing. The voices in Joni’s duet were much more distinct. It became apparent that the Cardas caught the sweetness in Joni’s voice but little else. With the Basis, her voice had significant depth, texture, and complexity. As in real life, certain notes were held longer and her performance breathed with nuance. Musical reproduction has limitations, and thus it is a simple matter to pass an open window and know if the music inside is real or reproduced. With the Basis power cords, Joni’s voice had attributes that one only hears live. A most convincing and desirable experience! And one which astounds me as Joni’s album has little in the low end which would be the area most affected by the Duo’s amplifier/woofer.

Power Cord Summary : With the Cardas cords, listeners are more analytical; they are observers of the music being played. When using the Basis power cords, listeners are participants at a concert. And that is a drastic and pleasing difference. Throughout the notes taken while listening to these albums are comments that I circled several times and which mention many of the benefits gained from the Basis power cords. The music starts & stops in a more natural manner and breaths with more ebb & flow, there’s more life, lower noise floor, real bass, more details in a musical way that made listening seem more like the real thing, more subtleties, effortless dynamic contrasts, drums had more thrust & propulsive nature, dynamics exploded. Essentially, the Duos now did more of those things that people purchase Duos for. For me & my Duos, these power cords are must-have items. If you own Avantgardes, it will be an interesting experience to evaluate these power cables. I hope and expect that their performance will shock you as much as I was shocked.


Product Weakness: Expensive
Product Strengths: Many, with the overall impact of using the Basis Audio interconnect, speaker cable, and power cords equivalent to making several significant component upgrades


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Art Audio PX 25, Viva Verona
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): CAT Ultimate II, Audio Note step-up transformers
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Basis Debut Vacuum & Vector tonearm, Transfiguration Temper V & Audioquest 7000 cartridges
Speakers: Avantgarde Duo 3.2
Cables/Interconnects: Alpha Core Goertz AG-2 speaker cables, Alpha Core Goertz Sapphire interconnects, Essential Sound Products Essence power cords and Power Distributor, Cardas power cords
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Rock, Jazz, Folk, Brazilian, Indian Classical, Broadway
Room Size (LxWxH): 25 x 16 x
Time Period/Length of Audition: Fair number of hours over 3 weeks
Type of Audition/Review: Home Audition




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  McShane Design  



Topic - REVIEW: Basis Audio Basis Audio Hy-Per Shield Power Cable Cable - JazzDude 18:46:17 12/8/05 ( 4)