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REVIEW: DIY by Chris VenHaus Cat5 Speaker Cable Cable

24.69.255.202


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Model: Cat5 Speaker Cable
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: materials cost about $45
Description: Braided Cat5 Network Cable
Manufacturer URL: DIY by Chris VenHaus
Manufacturer URL: DIY by Chris VenHaus

Review by unplugged ( A ) on December 28, 2002 at 14:35:48
IP Address: 24.69.255.202
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for the Cat5 Speaker Cable


After reading, like so many others, all the glowing reports on this particular version of the good old Cat 5 cable, I decided to face the challenge and see ( or shall I say hear? ) what all the commotion was about. Previous to Chris' version I had the three twisted lengths I found on the TNT site ( the FFRC ) in my system for almost a year now. I found them to be much better at detail throughout the audible frequency range than a pair of Straightwire Quartet biwire speaker cables I had been using before that. And if we go back a bit earlier all I knew was a variation on the old multistrand "bigger is better" syndrom. Ignorance is bliss, isn't it??? Needless to say I had my work cut out for me just like every one of you that just had to try them. Those of us that opted for the bi wire 27 and 9 pairs were to be pitted the most I suppose. In my case I ended up with a total length of approx. 12 ft. ( ouch! )I say approx. because I havn't measured them exactly but I'm in the neighbourhood, give or take a few inches. At this stage they have not broken in yet of course, and intially the set up was with the 27 pair only with the speaker binding posts bridged as I had not completed the 9 pairs for the high freqency. I listened to that configuration for 3 hours and the cables had maybe 8 hours on them. Needless to say everyone that I was quite impressed at that point, the low end was more accurate- shall we say controlled - with more definition, easier to follow individual notes, in fact I could follow instruments within a recording with much more ease. If I had to put my finger on it I would say that they are just that much more revealing, and the soundstage has increased noticeably. As they break in there is no doubt in my mind that they will continue to improve with age. I stayed up until 12:30 last night just so I could finish the 9 pairs set and hook them up, I left the system on to give them some burn in time. This mourning I spent 3 hours doing another listening test, some KD Lang ( Inguene ),Cyndi Lauper ( 12 Deadly Cyns - she has a very good voice ), Bruce Cockburn ( Nothing But a Burning Light ), & Freidmann ( Indian Summer - new age instrumental cd ). There is much more to follow as I can't get enough listening time in! It's a good thing I have a few days off as this bi wired setup is just what I needed, I honestly can't see myself changing them. I substituted a pair of the TNT cat5 cables ( only a pair of the complete cables twisted together ) for my Straightwire Quartet on my brothers' modest system - AR receiver & CD player w/ Jamo Siloette speakers - and he didn't like them one bit. I mention this because he now has the proper TNT 3 cable FFRC. I think we may end up making a set of the single run 27 pairs for him, sore fingers anyone?


Product Weakness: Time consuming is an under statement, but I can't think of a better reward for sore fingers and back. Pass the Absorbing Junior please.
Product Strengths: A great speaker cable design that has wonderful detail, resolution, and control. I wish I had made them sooner.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Carver TFM 55X
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audiolab 8000C
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Monarchy Audio DT40A, DPA PDM2, Sonic Frontiers Ulta Jitterbug
Speakers: Soundwave Soliloquys
Cables/Interconnects: Straightwire Encore II, MIT Digital Ref.,Belden/Canare home made
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Smooth jazz, instumental
Room Size (LxWxH): 22 x 11.5 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: Nothing really, positioning speakers and balancing the placement of furnishings etc.
Time Period/Length of Audition: Approx. 15 hrs.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster power conditioner
Type of Audition/Review: Home Audition




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Topic - REVIEW: DIY by Chris VenHaus Cat5 Speaker Cable Cable - unplugged 14:35:48 12/28/02 ( 4)