Cable Asylum: REVIEW: DIY by Chris VenHaus DIY Silver Interconnects Cable by Arnie217

Model:	DIY Silver Interconnects
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	materials cost about $80
Description:	32 ga. .9999 Silver Teflon insulated wire spiraled around Teflon core
Manufacturer URL:	DIY by Chris VenHaus
Manufacturer URL:	DIY by Chris VenHaus

Review by Arnie217 ( A ) on November 16, 2002 at 09:20:34
IP Address: 63.185.9.199

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I have recently, within the last two weeks, begun to build Chris VenHaus recipe fine silver wire interconnects. The reasoning was simple: I was putting a lot (for my budget) of money into interconnects, and still needed two more pairs. After reading many articles on fine wire interconnects I was convinced that they were probably worth a listen. The problem was that they arenâ€™t, to my knowledge, commercially available, and I didn't know which end of a soldering iron to hold. I decided to try Chris' recipe anyway. My goal was simple: If the sonics from the DIY cables were close to my current cables, i.e. acceptable, then I would keep them and sell my current cables at half retail and still come out way ahead.
His instructions were clear and concise, and the materials were inexpensive enough that even if it was a total bustâ€¦ so what. I read a couple articles on basic soldering techniques and I made a jig to work on, which was indispensable (email me for info and pics). The first one was tough, the second much easier, and after that it actually became fun. :-)
I had two pairs complete. First I replaced the Homegrown Audio Silver Lace between my CD player and Audible Illusions Modulus 3A tube preamp. I couldnâ€™t believe my ears. Even without the required burn-in, these BLEW AWAY the silver lace! Everything was better, especially the center focus of the soundstage and the bass. Next, I used the second pair to replace the Alpha-Core Goertz Micro Purl Silvers between my pre-preamp for my moving coil cartridge on my turntable and the preamp. No comparison! I would have thought I had upgraded to a two thousand dollar cartridge.
Okay, now Iâ€™m really in shockâ€¦ so I decided to try the ultimate test within my system: replace the Analysis Plus Silver Oval In between the preamp and my BAT amp (I had the AP custom made to go from my single ended preamp to my balanced amp). I used a pair of cheap RCA/XLR adapters I had bought at a local music store, so I wasnâ€™t really expecting much. I then had the DIYâ€™s between the CD and preamp as well as preamp to amp. INCREDIBLE! For the first time, I felt like my Magneplaner 3.5Râ€™s were sounding like they were capable of: Huge, focused soundstage with amazing depthâ€¦ a sense of space between the instrumentsâ€¦ pinpoint placement of every drum and cymbalâ€¦ clear sweet highsâ€¦ realistic vocalsâ€¦and GREAT bassâ€¦ And neither pair of cables was burned in yet.
So, Iâ€™ve ordered more silver wire to complete the replacement of all my interconnects with Chrisâ€™ DIYâ€™s. I tried making a pair with RCAâ€™s and XLRâ€™s, but I couldnâ€™t make it work (hum) even with direct input from Chris (BAT equipment is tricky, I guess). Iâ€™ve ordered a pair of high quality RCA/XLR adaptersâ€¦ canâ€™t wait to hear how they sound!
I guess I never really understood why anyone would pay $$$$ for interconnects, but now I do. Iâ€™ve read other reviews of these cables that were tepid at best. Perhaps they didnâ€™t have as much potential left in their systems to unlock with great sounding interconnects as I had. These ICâ€™s have simply taken my system to a new level, leaving some pretty good commercial silver interconnects in the dust. Thanks, Chris, for allowing me to enjoy the mega-buck sound without spending the mega-bucks!

Product Weakness: Construction is challenging (at least it was for me).
Product Strengths: Incredible sound.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	BAT VK500 with Bat Pack
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audible Illusions Modulus 3A
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	AMC CD8b / Music Hall MMF 5
Speakers:	Magneplaner 3.5R
Cables/Interconnects:	Chris VH Fine Silver
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Progressive Rock, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 15 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	Asymmetrical and challenging
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio Ultimate Outlet
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Construction is challenging (at least it was for me).
Product Strengths:	Incredible sound.