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REVIEW: VH Audio Pulsar Interconnect Cable

4.61.185.224


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Model: Pulsar Interconnect
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $134.99
Description: Fine wire shielded interconnect for digital, analog and video
Manufacturer URL: VH Audio
Manufacturer URL: VH Audio

Review by Boybees ( A ) on November 14, 2004 at 02:18:44
IP Address: 4.61.185.224
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for the Pulsar Interconnect


I am reviewing the cryo, RCA, 0.5 meter version of the Pulsars.

My motivation to upgrade interconnects was primarily to move back to a shielded cable, because I live in a high EMI neighborhood. I enjoyed the sound of my Homegrown Audio Silver Lace, but I noticed slight variations in the tonal presentation at different times of the day, to me a sign of RFI leaking into the signal chain.

In terms of customer service and communication, Chris VH lives up to all the accolades he receives on AA and Agon. I’ll make the usual disclaimer that I have no affiliation with VH Audio other than as a satisfied customer. In the past I’ve purchased materials from him to assemble several power cords, but this is the first pre-assembled wire I’ve bought.

The Pulsars shipped promptly via UPS ground, and the packing was impeccable. The fit and finish of these cables is very good. The bullet plugs are striking in appearance, and the cables are covered in handsome Techflex. The Pulsars are quite flexible, especially for a shielded cable. The bullet plugs coupled smoothly at both source and amp. I followed Chris’ recommendation and waited until the cables had 200 hours on them before attempting a serious evaluation of their performance.

The Pulsars offer a wide and deep soundstage, with effortless localization of individual instruments and voices in space. Instruments are well articulated and stand out from each other. Bass is fast and powerful, without a hint of artificial boom. On Erakah Badyu’s “Certainly (Flipped It version)”, the electric bass is a throbbing, dominating presence, and the snare smacks are taught, sharp and resonant. Midrange is quite realistic and musical, especially female vocals. Norah Jones’ vocals on “In the Morning” assume a buttery, velvety dimension that pleases the ears.

On the high frequencies, the Pulsars strike a remarkable balance between revelation of detail and rejection of sibilant artifacts. For me, a real test of a component’s ability to portray treble is the brushed snare. A well-recorded brushed snare should sound “feathery,” because the individual wires that make up the brush are like the individual filaments that make up a feather. If your system is getting it right, as mine is with the Pulsars in place, you can almost hear those individual wires tracing circles on the taut skin of the snare, as in Brad Meldhau’s “You’re Vibing Me.”

The Pulsars do very well conveying a variety of cymbal sounds, another benchmark for me. A strike on the bell of the cymbal should resonate with the rich musical overtones and harmonics of a bell. It should not sound like a dull metallic clang. The Pulsars get the ride cymbals right on Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” (SACD version), revealing the delicate ring of the bell strikes. On Sam Phillips’ “Love Changes Everything,” the cymbal strikes offer a rounded, musical splash, their apparent size in proper proportion within the stereo image. No 15-foot wide percussion instruments here!

Bottom Line: couldn’t be happier with these wires. In my system, the Pulsars bettered HGA Silver Lace, themselves no slouch as a cable. The Pulsars have delivered the experience that defines a satisfying upgrade: I’m tappin’ my feet, groovin’ to the rhythm, and rediscovering my music collection again.


Product Weakness: none
Product Strengths: imaging, high-frequency detail


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Plinius 8100 integrated (100 wpc)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony C222ES SACD changer with Matt Anker mods (LC Audio clock, Black Gates, HEXFREDS, etc.)
Speakers: Von Schweikert VR-2s
Cables/Interconnects: Chris VH Flavor 1 and 2 power cords, VH Audio Pulsar ICs (cryo version), Cardas Quadlink 5C internal biwire speaker cable
Music Used (Genre/Selections): see review
Room Size (LxWxH): 25' x 13' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments: Wall-to-wall carpet, left wall is sliding glass that I cover with shades during critical listening
Time Period/Length of Audition: about 1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Pass & Seymour 5262A AC receptacle, Monster HTS 1000 power bar, Taddeo Digital Antidote II, Herbie's Gabon ebony ball & cup combo under CDP
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: VH Audio Pulsar Interconnect Cable - Boybees 02:18:44 11/14/04 ( 6)