Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Nordost Super Flatline MKII Cable by shufumei

Model:	Super Flatline MKII
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$200
Description:	Flat Speaker Cable
Manufacturer URL:	Nordost
Manufacturer URL:	Nordost

Review by shufumei on August 01, 2002 at 13:28:22
IP Address: 66.8.154.112

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for the Super Flatline MKII

I am more a head guy, almost every hifi gear I brought, I have to kind of understand how it works and it has to make sense to me. So my head might influence my ear.
I didn't pay much attention to cables, because cable is a paaasive product and some of the price are even higher than some highly repected CD player, amps speakers. I use better than average cables but not overly expensive cables on my system. I also believe less is more, less is better, no preamp is the beast preamp, no cable is the best cable.
I use Transparent Plus speaker cable and one day I start to pay attention to the big black box on the cable. I know it is some kind of network in there, the more component the signal go through, the worst it is, and it doesn't fit the simple is better rules. So I start to do my homework on cables. A cable has three element affect the performance. Resistance, Capacitance, and Inductance. After some research, I found that Nordost Super Flatline MKII is the best, most simple and effective design.
First, I think the Flatline is for under carpet installation, but after I read some more info, I start to understand the flat design is the best of all design. It has flat conductors line up side by side, so the edge side which also is the slimest side of the conductors facing each other, it cut down the overlaps, so the capacitance is the lowest you can design. Then there is no twist and coil, so the inductance is also the lowest you can design. Since Nordost use the best copper and it has 16 conductors, so the resistance is not a problem, plus due to it is a straight and no twist design so the signal travel shorter distance in Nordost than other same length twisted design cable, so the resistance should be lower too. There is less skin effect as the twisted fine multi conductors in other cable design, also they use Teflon to insulate each conductor, it cut down skin effect even more also take care the oxidation problem of copper. Nordost pass my head, and it is not snake oil or voodoo.
Okay, I finaly bought one pair Super Flatline cable, after over 200+ hours break-in, I start to compare with the Transparent Plus Cable. First thing I notice is the lighting fast speed, it is a much faster cable, the attack edge is sharper and with great force and weight, it is much clearer, cleaner, and much better resolution. The high are extended and see through clear, the mid are true, real, the bass? I heard a lot people claim that the bass on Nordost is thin, I believe they are infulence by the shape of the cable or they were talking about the smaller 8 condutor version cable. This cable has very good contral Bass with great defination. The stage and depth are wide and deep, you can pin point each musician location. Overall, it performed almost as no cable at all. It is a much better cable than Transparent Plus speaker cable, and the price is much lower too.
I didn't try their higher line cable, I believe they should have the similar sonic as the Super Flatline. The difference is the higher line cable use silver plate conductors, and I don't believe silver plate are necessary better. I believe the design is much more important than silver plate the conductors or not.
I might try their interconnect soon.

Product Weakness: Since it is very thing and flat, it need to handle with care!
Product Strengths: Speed, resolution, almost as good as no cabling at all

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Classe CA400
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Wadia 16i
Speakers:	Eggleston Soundwork Andra
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber KCAG & Nordost Super Flatline
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Vocal,
Room Size (LxWxH):	18' x 15' x 8.5' slope to 7.5'
Room Comments/Treatments:	round cornor
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Richard Gray Powerplant, Bluecircle BC22,
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Since it is very thing and flat, it need to handle with care!
Product Strengths:	Speed, resolution, almost as good as no cabling at all