Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Silversmith Audio Speaker Cable by the analog kid

Model:	Speaker
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$2050./4' pr., $450./ per 2' additional
Description:	Silver flat conductor, air dielectric.
Manufacturer URL:	Silversmith Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Silversmith Audio

Review by the analog kid ( A ) on April 02, 2002 at 19:09:53
IP Address: 35.9.14.32

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After surfing the cable asylum for several months, the name that kept coming up again and again as (perhaps) the finest cable currently out there was "Silversmith." Hooked, I decided to try and score a pair of speaker cables. Daunted by the list price ($2400 for a six foot pair), I watched Audiogon regularly, and was eventually able to score a pair for $1K. Still, for someone on my budget, this was quite an investment. Prior to commenting on my (amazing) experience with these beauties, I should provide some information regarding points (cables) of comparison. In the last few years, I've had numerous different cables in my system, including the following: Audioquest Indigo, Forest, Clear, and Argent; Nirvana SL (Shotgun bi-wire); Nordost Blue Heaven; Cardas Golden Cross and Golden Hexlink 5C; and Kimber BiFocal XL. As is evident from this list, I've sampled a fairly broad range of lower to mid-priced cables; ranging from $50/meter to $500/meter. So, needless to say, the Silversmiths are the priciest I've had in my system.
Physically, they are different than any other cables you'll run across. You can read about the technical side on their website, but they don't have traditional connectors. Instead, the pure silver "foil" (and it's very much like foil in terms of appearance and texture) that comprises the inner cable is crafted at the ends into spade-like connectors (basically, a little notch at the end). The notch was too small for my Snell connectors, so I VERY carefully (I mean, we're talking about a cable that is worth more than my current car) cut a little additional sliver out of the notch, and it hooked up just fine. They are EXTREMELY lightweight, and very flexible.
Now to the SOUND. As my wife will attest to, it is indeed a rare experience for me to be rendered speechless. In this case, however, I was absolutely stunned, and ill-prepared for what I was about to hear. The sound literally took my breath away (or, more precisely, I found that I was holding my breath without realizing it). The old cliche is "veils have been lifted," but in this case, it is like an entire new sonic experience. Music just SOUNDS different with these cables. As I write this now, I feel somewhat robbed of the time (years) that I've spent listening WITHOUT these cables, because they fully illuminate what is there, but what you didn't KNOW was there, in your recordings. There is so much more than I ever suspected, and so much that I've been missing with virtually every other cable I've used! The most prominent, and noteworthy sonic characteristics are these. First, from top to bottom, there is simply an amazing amount of additional information. Second, there is an incredible SWEETNESS to the sound. Mind you, this is NOT any type of coloration - rather, it is the intrinsic sweetness of natural music, that reproduction always seems to lack (to some degree). Third, the highs are breathtaking (or holding, as in my case). As a percussionist, I am particularly sensitive to the attack/decay patterns of cymbals, and these cables provide the most realistic timbre and shimmer related to crashes and ride patterns of anything I've heard. For example, on the second track of Classic Records AMAZING 180gm release of Sarah McLachlan's "Fumbling Toward Ecstacy," it opens with light piano and ride cymbal. Ahhh...The sound!! Fourth, the bass is subterranean. Finally, there is an overall coherence and musicality to them - everything holds together.
All in all, I hate to say "these cables are worth every penny of their asking price," because after all, price is relative, and much of value can be bought with two thousand dollars. But in this case, I believe they represent a unique, distinct feat of artistry and craftsmanship. They truly are worth saving your pennies for. And I've found that in my case I had NO idea the quality of the sound of which my system was capable until these cables were added.
As a final note, it's worth noting that Jeff Smith, the designer for Silversmith is an EXTREMELY helpful, nice, and knowledgeable guy. I wrote him a casual question via email prior to purchasing these cables, and he immediately wrote me back a VERY helpful and extensive message. I have since contracted him to design a phono cable for my Basis table, which he currently is doing. I will post a review of that upon receipt. Any of you who have specific questions about my review and/or experiences, feel free to email me at any time.

Product Weakness: None. The finest cables I have ever heard, plain and simple.
Product Strengths: Amazing musicality and transparency; unparalleled clarity, naturalness of sound, and protrayal of inner detail.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Pass Aleph 60 Monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audible Illusions L1/ARC PH3SE
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Basis 2001 w/OL Silver 250 Arm
Speakers:	Snell XA 60s
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Golden Cross
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 11 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	RPG Classic Diffusors
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 Week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster 5000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None. The finest cables I have ever heard, plain and simple.
Product Strengths:	Amazing musicality and transparency; unparalleled clarity, naturalness of sound, and protrayal of inner detail.