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Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Xhadow Xhadow Precision RCA Connectors Cable by Duster

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REVIEW: Xhadow Xhadow Precision RCA Connectors Cable

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Model: Xhadow Precision RCA Connectors
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $50/pr
Description: Silver plated OFC copper rca plug.
Manufacturer URL: Xhadow
Model Picture: View

Review by Duster ( A ) on July 08, 2005 at 11:40:28
IP Address: 24.17.158.236
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for the Xhadow Precision RCA Connectors


The ability to terminate one’s favorite interconnect cable with different make and model rca connectors is perhaps the single most interesting aspect of DIY cable building. I’ve mentioned a camera/lens analogy before, and I say it again; using a less than stellar rca connector is like putting a cheap lens on a Leica camera. Some folks might not like to believe it to be true but, the choice of connector is just as important as the choice of cable is, if one is looking to build a true high-performance cable assembly. But, it’s not just a matter of high-performance, it’s also a matter of finding a presentation that fits a listener’s taste. I have found it hard to believe how picky I’ve become concerning connectors. There are a number of fine quality rca’s that excel in their own right, but the choices tend to impart a sonic signature that may or may not be to one’s liking.

The Xhadow Precision RCA connector features a precision milled OFC copper body and center pin design with a direct silver plating with a Teflon dielectric. It’s ground contact's internal pressure contact fingers are reminesant of Canare's 75 ohm type rca plug’s design and offers a smooth yet firm fit. It’s barrel is very robust and rather industrial looking and included is several color coded metal bands to choose from. Strain relief screws are not implemented in the design (which is a minus).

The Xhadow rca’s design and sturdy build quality is very impressive. It’s presentation is very musical without any loss of neutrality in my opinion. From top to bottom, it's tonal balance is unified, and the overall impression of it is that of being quick, open, and airy. There's a fine balance between it being articulate, graceful, and relaxed vs. it being assertive. The bass is very tuneful yet full. Resolution of detail, soundstaging, imaging, ambiance retrieval, and dynamics are without fault to my ear's taste. It’s sonic signature is more transparent and elegant sounding than any other rca I’ve tried. It offers a "big" presentation without any distracting bloom or featurement.

I also use a Xhadow female XLR connector. It's a beauty. Nice chunk of Teflon containing the contacts. Since it is used to terminate a DC power umbilical, I can’t comment on how it performs with IC’s.

The Xhadow connectors are expensive but offer value in terms of the price-to-performance ratio.


Product Weakness: Lack of strain relief.
Product Strengths: Design and build quality, articulate, elegant, high resolution.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Lexicon NT 212 (Bryston 3B-ST)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Aragon 18k MkII
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Marantz/Museatex digital front end.
Speakers: B&W Matrix 805
Cables/Interconnects: DIY VH Audio cryo'd Pulsar IC's
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Rock, HT
Time Period/Length of Audition: Several weeks.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Vans Evers, MIT, Powervar
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Xhadow Xhadow Precision RCA Connectors Cable - Duster 11:40:28 07/8/05 ( 5)