Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Pure Note Paragon Cable by oldzmann

Model:	Paragon
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$375+
Description:	Interconnects and Speaker Cables
Manufacturer URL:	Pure Note
Model Picture:	View

Review by oldzmann ( A ) on March 27, 2005 at 17:20:05
IP Address: 67.168.246.82

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for the Paragon

I have to thank Trufi for his review of this cable as that was what prompted me to pick up a pair. At the time there was a special 50% off intro price, I believe that is gone now. Too bad because I should get another pair or two.
I did not do my usual detailed lengthy review here, I simply compared the Paragon to my current best cable, the Siltech G5 SQ28, with some select recordings. Note that both cables are single ended and this is my first experience with Pure Note cables. I was tempted to get a pair of the Ridge Street Poiema interconnects but at 375 @ pair, it was too hard to pass up the Paragon cable deal.

Pure Note warns you that the cable needs at least 200 hours to break in and I believe them. When I initially got the cables I put them on my CD party changer (Denon DCM-370) and ran it in repeat mode for 4+ days. I changed the CD's every morning and used a variety from my musical interests, which are Jazz, classic rock, classical, blues and world music.
I threw in a little elctronica, heavy metal and folk music too just to make sure I stretched the output signal a bit. After 100 hours I gave the cables a turn on my Exemplar D2900 CD player. While the cables had improved notably from the first day they were still missing bass and high frequency definition. They still sounded a bit compressed and harsh on the high end too.

Back on the changer they went for another 2 days. Another quick test at that point showed that the high end was coming together nicely and that it seemed to have a quieter background then the Siltech. Still it was light in the Bass end of the spectrum and I started to question my decision. Another 2 days on the changer and finally the bass performance arrived convincingly.
Moving into the head to head with the Siltech on the Exemplar, showed the Paragon cable to be the quieter of the two, drawing out more of the performance. My experience backed up what Trufi had reported in his better product review. I also noted how the Paragon was tighter and better defined in the Bass area (better late than never) and that the high frequencies were less edgy on the musical passages where the artist pegged the meters (and maybe the microphone). The Paragon really is a superior cable and I am at just under 200 hours on them. I don't doubt that there is more to come.
Perhaps at full price the better cable match might be the Siltech G5 SQ88 with it's larger conductor. Although looking at the test comparing the SIltech signature cable, I don't know that it would matter that much. In any case the Pure Note is staying put and if I could get another pair at the sale price I would do it!

On a side note I finally got a chance to play the Siltech against the RS Audio Duet. While the Siltech had a little quieter back ground these cables were very close in every other performance aspect. I guess I am just spoiled by too many nice cables .

Product Weakness: Very long break-in time.
Product Strengths: Fabulously quiet background, excellent definition and soundstage.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rowland Concentra 2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Integrated
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Exemplar D2900, etc.
Speakers:	Avalon Acoustics - Arcus
Cables/Interconnects:	Pure Note, Siltech, RS Audio, etc
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Blues, World Beat, Rock
Room Comments/Treatments:	DaaDs, Echo Busters
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1+ weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Equi=tech
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	See my system in the inmate system section

Product Weakness:	Very long break-in time.
Product Strengths:	Fabulously quiet background, excellent definition and soundstage.