Cable Asylum: REVIEW: JPS Labs Aluminata Cable by sheffb

Model:	Aluminata
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$3500
Description:	power cord
Manufacturer URL:	JPS Labs
Manufacturer URL:	JPS Labs

Review by sheffb ( A ) on September 20, 2004 at 09:21:58
IP Address: 209.7.239.5

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for the Aluminata

It is my pleasure to contribute this brief review on the Aluminata power cord by JPS Labs. Please see my review on the Kaptovator also a power cord by JPS Labs which I reviewed 6 months ago. The Aluminata is essentially the Kaptovator evolved. It uses the same 8 gauge aluminum alloy wire, configuration, and Kapton insulation which is expensive and essentially inert. The Aluminata goes further with a very thick but flexible highly polished aluminum particle shield and very effective RF shielding. Also a feature which prevents standing electrical waves. Please go to the JPS web site for much more complete and accurate details. The result is a substantial sonic improvement over the Kaptovator into my GamuT D-100 Mk.3 amp. The Kaptovator is a superb PC, so this really says something.
What is improved. The Aluminata has even more transparency, more body to insruments, more texture to instruments,even more realism to vocals, more resolution, more dynamic, and improved clarity across the entire audio spectrum. Complex music is heard even more clearly with more ease. If the Kaptovator is rated A-, the Aluminata is rated A+.
My ratings are for amplifier imput. I use the Audio Magic Stealth which in my system adds tremendously to improved sonics by purifying the ac. There is no current limiting. Without the Stealth plugging the Kaptovator or Aluminata direcly into the ac wall outlet by comparison the Kaptovator is more affected and rating changed to B for the Kaptovator (by comparison only) and A for the Aluminata. I personally cannot be without the Stealth in my system for any power cords to any components except possibly the Aluminata into the amp because it is so outstanding on it's own.
The Aluminata is flexible, but weighs about 10 pounds, so I suggest supporting it at the amplifier connection site if it is hanging down. I use a simple cardboard box.

Product Weakness: none
Product Strengths: music perfection

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Gamut D-100 Mk. 3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Pass X2.5
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	GamuT CDR 1
Speakers:	Chapman Q6 (3 way tower, 88 DB sensitivity)
Cables/Interconnects:	all JPS Labs, balanced
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical, opera, jazz, pops, show music
Room Size (LxWxH):	25' x 15' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	carpet, stuffed furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition:	a couple weeks after burn-in
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Stealth
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	none
Product Strengths:	music perfection