Home
AudioAsylum Trader
Cable Asylum: REVIEW: XLO Ultra 1 Cable by Luminator

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

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

REVIEW: XLO Ultra 1 Cable

38.122.6.26


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

Model: Ultra 1
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $100/m + $69 termination
Description: single-ended interconnect
Manufacturer URL: XLO

Review by Luminator on July 06, 2011 at 10:53:07
IP Address: 38.122.6.26
Add Your Review
for the Ultra 1


It's not everyday we get to do a follow-up, a whole decade after the original review. But in the case of XLO's Ultra 1 single-ended interconnect, that is exactly what's happening.

But first, not all of you are familiar with my reviews. You need to click on the links below. Don't just look at the pictures. Please read the words. After you have stocked up on that information, you may resume reading the rest of this review, below the links.

Moving Pictures
Pretty In Pink
Into The Light
Paradise Theater

When the Ultra 1 was launched in the mid-90s, it cost $100/meter, plus $69 for termination. It is now 2011, and the Ultra 1 is still $100/meter. However, termination has gone up $16, to $85. XLO deserve praise for (a) keeping this product in production for so long, and (b) bucking inflation. Contrast that with the Kimber KCAG I was also using in the mid-90s. The KCAG now costs double what it did in the 90s.

Since I did the original review in 2000, what has changed?

We audiophiles now know about, possess, and utilize cable burn-in devices, such as the Audio Dharma Cable Cooker and Nordost VIDAR. The Ultra 1 really only needs 2-3 days of Cook time. Compare Cooked samples to un-treated samples. The un-treated samples produce a smaller soundstage. Some grain intrudes upon the music. The top end is closed-in, not as open and extended. The music loses grip, power, and punch. The bass isn't as firm and even. It's like having phlegm in your throat and sinuses.

Incidentally, the Ultra 1 has sufficient resolution, that it can differentiate between the Cable Cooker and VIDAR. My audio buddies and I did an experiment. We placed two pairs on the Cable Cooker. We then placed two other pairs on the VIDAR. We first used the Cooked pairs in the reference system (Simaudio Andromeda, P-8, W-7). We then used the VIDARed pairs in that same system. We went back to the Cooked pairs. We ended with the VIDARed pairs.

Conclusion? The Ultra 1 proved that the Cable Cooker went one step further than the VIDAR. With the VIDARed pairs, the image boundaries were less well-defined. The musical threads seemed to blend into each other. I have long known that the Cable Cooker outperforms the VIDAR. But this usually only gets revealed when we use more expensive cables. I did not know that the Ultra 1 could differentiate the effects of the Cooker and VIDAR.

How do old samples compare to current-production units?

I still have my old Ultra 1 from the late 90s. I received batches of newly-made Ultra 1 interconnects. Cooked or not, the Ultra 1 interconnects, of either vintage, sound identical. It is reassuring to know that XLO have been consistent in their materials sourcing, manufacturing, and quality control.

How does the Ultra 1 compare to other XLO interconnects?

Compared to a Cooked original Reference Type 1 interconnect, the Ultra 1 does not reproduce as much soundstage depth. The Ultra 1 is less resolving of treble timbre and texture. It does not capture cymbals' soft sheen, for example. Furthermore, the Ultra 1 seems to impart a hardness not found in the Reference Type 1.

Compared to a Cooked Ref2-1A, the Ultra 1 will not have that excess warmth. The Ultra 1 will have a welcome sharpness, and freedom from bloat.

Compared to a Cooked original Signature 1.1, the Ultra 1 is not as fast, open, detailed, quiet, and transparent. However, if you cannot find or afford the Signature 1.1, think of the Ultra 1 as the poor man's Signature 1.1.

Any long-term issues?

Because XLO apply just a thin layer of gold plating, do be aware that the RCAs' tip and collar, over time, can lose their shine. My old samples from the 90s aren't tarnished or oxidized, mind you, but they do look more copper than gold.

I can't say enough of the ergonomic benefits of the Ultra 1's skinny, friction-fit RCAs. These RCAs will fit anywhere, including tightly-spaced jacks, and those countersunk female RCAs found on the back of televisions.

Because the cable jacket is Teflon, it is easy to clean. Simply wipe it periodically.

The Ultra 1 consists of black and magenta conductors over a clear Teflon tube. When you place a bunch of Ultra 1 behind your rack, the cable's color scheme blends or fades to a dark gray. Visually, the Ultra 1 has tendency to blend in with the shadows.

What else is different, from ten years ago?

Originally, XLO marketed the Ultra 1 to be used as (a) a newbie's first "audiophile" interconnect, or (b) a veteran audiophile's secondary interconnect. Such secondary sources included VCRs, tuners, tape decks, and TV. As my guests know full well, the Ultra 1 is the perfect choice for video game systems. With its fast, focused, punchy, quiet sound, the Ultra 1 makes video gaming exhilarating. Some video games are supposed to have BAM BOOM POW sound effects, and the Ultra 1 happily obliges. But the Ultra 1's clean sound also works well on those orchestral soundtracks from Role-Playing Games.

In our world of audio, 15 years is a long time. And the XLO Ultra 1 has stood the test of time. It remains as an affordable interconnect of choice. As one of my audio buddies remarked, the Ultra 1 is a "living fossil," and gets an award for longevity.

-Lummy The Loch Monster


Product Weakness: not as pretty as the purple-&-green Reference series; requires a cable burn-in device to unlock potential
Product Strengths: RCAs fit anywhere; flexible; skinny; long-lasting


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: numerous
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): numerous
Sources (CDP/Turntable): numerous
Speakers: numerous
Cables/Interconnects: numerous
Music Used (Genre/Selections): rock, pop, R&B, dance, Hawaiian, show tunes, TV
Time Period/Length of Audition: 15 years
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: XLO Ultra 1 Cable - Luminator 10:53:07 07/6/11 ( 2)