Home
AudioAsylum Trader
Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Marigo Audio Labs V37.0 Signature Cable by jb0194

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

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

REVIEW: Marigo Audio Labs V37.0 Signature Cable

67.161.208.200


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

Model: V37.0 Signature
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $1830/6 feet ; $80/add'l foot
Description: Speaker cables with 8mm OFHC copper spade termination
Manufacturer URL: Marigo Audio Labs
Manufacturer URL: Marigo Audio Labs

Review by jb0194 ( A ) on November 02, 2003 at 22:03:43
IP Address: 67.161.208.200
Add Your Review
for the V37.0 Signature


I've been in the process of building/refining my first-ever hi end 2 channel audio system for three years now. I knew very little at the start and paid the expected price in frustration, dollars and wifely criticism through the steep portion of my learning curve. Early on, my dabbling in cables led me to conclude that wire had little effect on system sound and hence, should be my lowest priority "component". As other components in my system improved and as I continued to read testimonies on the benefits of this or that cable on websites like this one, I continued to skeptically experiment with cables. My first revelation was with Cardas' Golden Reference ICs about a year ago. In MY system they clearly added intangible musicality, forcing me to concede that wire is as important a component as all others. About six months ago I added an Audio Note DAC 4.1x Signature to my system and had my CDT modded by Empirical Audio, having become convinced that the front end is indispensible to a really musical system. The results more than justified the cost. At that point I chose to "complete" my front end by upgrading my digital cable (then an Acoustic Zen "MC2=Zen"). Several posts to this site and others gave great praise to Ron Hedrich's Marigo Audio Lab "Apparition 5.6 Signature" cable, so I decided to give him a call. It was one on the best decisions I've made in my search for musical nirvana. Ron was gracious, informative and utterly patient in answering my questions about his cable. He clearly met my ideal criteria for an audio product maker: both a scientist (including work in laser/optics) and audiophile, whose love is live music and who runs his own shop. The Apparition cable was no revelation in my system - it was a true epiphany. And I do not use that word lightly. When Ron told me that his V37.0 Signature speaker cables were on a par with his digital cable, he got my attention. One thing I've learned in my system building journey is to trust people (Ron, John Hillig, Ty Lashbrook, Steve Nugent) whose products have previously PROVEN themselves in MY system.

So, what are the merits of the Marigo Audio Lab V37.0 Signature speaker cables?

Coherence - Instruments and performers have a palpable 3 dimensionality I'd never before heard. Yet the images are not sharply etched, they have a naturalness to them. I favor live recordings and my system now portrays concerts with uncanny realism. As my system has evolved to better and better components I've had moments of bliss, but an equal number of listenings that left me wondering if the experience was worth the cost. I know I'm not the only one who has gone through this frustration. What has brought my system to a CONSISTENTLY satisfying level has been the achievement of COHERENCE. The V37.0 speaker cables have been a big contributor to this.

Articulate, Authoritative Bass - It is so satisfying to hear the musician's plucks and bows of the upright bass as much as the notes themselves, on cds like Richard Thompson's "Live at the Crawley 1993". Subtle changes like this are actually powerful contributors to the illusion of a live performence happening in my listening room.

Resolution - I can much more clearly hear instruments and voices that have been mixed down in the recording and follow them through a song. Part of my continual enjoyment of music I've listened to hundreds of times is to pick an instrument and concentrate on it above the others. It helps to keep my favorites fresh. The V37.0 Signature cables make this possible to a greater extent than ever before.

Faithful transmission of the full musical spectrum - Admittedly subjective, I can detect no emphasis of bass, mid or treble.

All in all these cables have refined the sound of my system in a way that breathes life into the music I listen to. Yes, the V37.0 Signatures are not inexpensive. But, if you are like me in what you want from your audio system, they are most worthy of your consideration should your budget allow.


Product Weakness: affordability
Product Strengths: coherence, resolution, articulation, lack of coloration


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Blue Circle BC-28
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Musical Design SP-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Musical Design T1 CDT> Audio Note DAC 4.1x Signature
Speakers: Meadowlark Blue Herons
Cables/Interconnects: Marigo Audio Lab Apparition 5.6 Signature digital, Cardas Golden Reference analog ICs
Music Used (Genre/Selections): acoustic/electric jazz; rock
Room Size (LxWxH): 31 ft x 23 ft x 8 ft
Room Comments/Treatments: RPG B.A.D. diffusors; 6in thick foam absorber panels
Time Period/Length of Audition: 250 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): BPT 2.5 balanced power conditioner
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Signature Sound   [ Signature Sound Lounge ]



Topic - REVIEW: Marigo Audio Labs V37.0 Signature Cable - jb0194 22:03:43 11/2/03 ( 0)