聖HIJIRI Users thread
Based on a discussion with another forum member, I've been reading up on this Comback Corporation brand. The reviews I've found have been pretty positive, but I've also learned over the years to take all reviews with a grain of salt. So the purpose of this thread is for users to share their input on 聖HIJIRI cables. When you share, if you'd discuss what model of HIJIRI you demoed and what brands/models they were compared to, that'd be very helpful.
A little background: a few years ago I was reading the Audio Envy threads and decided to give them a try as the seemed to compete with much higher-priced cable. So I decided to give AE a try. I found both the $179 P2 and the $279 M3 to easily best an Isotek power cord at $1k. So that got me thinking even more about value products. I was about to give Zavfino a try and then was given another recommendation to give HIJIRI a try. So this is how I got here. I'll be very interested to hear all user comments on HIJIRI and this should be a good repository for the brand.
Here is their website: www.combak.net
The wait is over. 聖Hijiri SM2R-L PC is here and undergoing the ‘break-in’ process on my Marantz SA-11S2 SACD player. I end up dusting off my modest collection of SACD’s 😊 The power cord is pictured in image #43 https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9445#&gid=1&pid=43 |
To add after listening more The best way I can describe the Nagomi Powercord is that they sound like I added a SET Amp to my system, compared to the other cords I used in the past. Very bloomy, close to the stage midrange with just the right amount of detail on top and bottom..not Hifi sounding at all. Just musically muscular. |
@twoleftears Thanks for posting that site, it helped me visualize the newer pc line. |
@lalitk is correct. The SM2R-L is a modern take on a classic Harmonix cable that many loved in the past. We're still working on pricing, but both cost and performance will be a competitor for the Nagomi. It's (allegedly) a different type of sound for a different set of preferences. I'll have my demo stock soon and will report back more concrete thoughts. |
Perhaps @gestalt, Colin, the importer/dealer can help best with that question. Thanks for the update @waltersalas ! |
Yeah, the LTA Ultalinear+ I have is the integrated, and it's terrific, especially with the Baltic 3. I believe Linear Tube Audio uses this combination at some audio shows, and I can certainly see (and hear) why. It's a dynamite combo. As for the cables, my advice is do not listen to a Takumi unless you intend to buy it. Once you know, you know, if that makes sense. The Obsession has a very dynamic sound with excellent soundstaging and detail retrieval, without sounding the least bit "hard," strident or clinical. I would say the Nagomi is more nuanced and does take some getting used to, especially if you are accustomed to cords with a bolder, more forward sound. The sound stage of the Nagomi at first seems to emphasize the mids and back off a little on the extension of the higher frequencies, but that sensation may just be relative to what I have been used to. It is a very musical cable that draws you in more than it blows you back. But for me it represented a paradigm shift that took me a good while to get used to. Both are very fine cables and are still in service in my system. TWL has upgraded the Obsession to a new "Statement" series that I have not heard, but may try later in the year, along with the mid-tier Hijiri cable that falls between the Takumi and Nagomi. I'm in no hurry, though. My system has never sounded better!
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Wow, thanks for all the info.
I am glad you mentioned the Nagomi and TWL Obsession. I will definitely try the Nagomi this year. I had been thinking a few years back about giving the Obsession a try but moved on from that for whatever reason I can't remember.
Would you provide any comments comparing the Nagomi to the Takumi? Probably wouldn't go that way since the Takumi is $5k or so, but it would be nice to get your impressions on the two compared.
Congrats on the Linear Tube Audio Ultralinear+ and Lampizator Baltic 3. I'm assuming the LTA is the integrated?
Cheers |
Glad to see this thread carrying on with continued sharing of experiences with the excellent Hijiri cables. I have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride with the Takumi. As I reported earlier in this discussion, I was utterly transfixed by the difference it made on my Boulder 866, but then I auditioned a Linear Tube Audio Ultralinear+, which turns out to be a fanstastic match for my Fyne F704 speakers. At the same time, I bought a Lampizator Baltic 3 and found that I preferred the combination of the Baltic 3 and Ultralinear+ to the Boulder. Fine, but there was a catch. The LTA integrated does not really seem to care what kind of power cord is on it (a consequence of the David Berning design, I am told). While the Takumi elevated the Boulder to breathtaking levels, it made little to no difference on the LTA. So I relunctantly put it up for sale...which turned out to be premature, I think. For kicks, I tried it on the Baltic 3, and--boom--the magic was back in a big way. I already had tried excellent cables on the B3, including the Nagomi and a TWL Obsession, and both were terrific. But the Takumi on the DAC has taken my system to an unprecented level of musicality, leaving those two very strong other cables in the dust. Clarity, layering, tone, decay, and impact were all significantly improved with the Takumi on the DAC. I have had several offers on the Takumi, but I just do not think I am going to be able to sell it after all, barring some other unforeseen twist or turn. The "whoa" factor is back!
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Yes, it is an EVO3. It is probably two years old.
Hey Lalit, will be very interested to hear your impression of the new limited edition聖Hijiri SM2R-L. See my updates below.
I get it! You will have to wait longer for my impressions as I've still a few more weeks until all six outlets on the Sigmas are burned in. Then I'll decide if the amp stays plugged into the Sigmas or goes back in the wall. Totally loving the musicality of the Sigmas though; was not sure at first but after some time (4+ weeks) it really opened up with quite good realistic sound - snares sound like snares, cymbals, guitars, piano, etc. I wish I'd have used all six outlets from the start, but only used four so am waiting for the final two to finish breakin. After I've settled the amp into the Sigmas OR into the wall test, then I'm going to introduce my last Network cable from router to the A side of the ER and wait for it to burnin/settle. Then I can move on either to more Network tweaks or to Hijiri.
Hoping to hear from @waltersalas at some point as he experiments more with Hijiri. |
@pokey77 Forgot to ask which generation Optimum cable you are using? Is it the EVO3? -Alex |
I understand the rationale to use IsoTek Syncro PC on your conditioner. Sorry if i wasn’t clear before, the limited edition 聖Hijiri SM2R-L PC is not above Takumi 匠 Maestro which remains the flagship PC in Combak lineup. As per Colin, the SM2R-L is brought back for those who loved the X-DC PC sound back in the days. The 聖Hijiri SM2R-L is further improved on original X-DC350M2R design. So I decided to try this new cable to see if this cable bridges the gap between entry level Nagomi and flagship Takumi, can’t wait to find out 😊 |
@lalitk My conditioner uses a 20 amp IEC inlet and I have a Isotek Syncro that prevents DC from entering my components reducing buzzing from my transformers. I didn’t know they have a model above Takumi. What is the price if this limited edition cable? Looking forward to your impressions! -Alex |
My error @rareace! Looking forward to hearing your impressions. I heard the biggest impact on my conditioner followed by my Integrated amp, then dac and finally my server. |
@lalitk On my source Modwright Cambridge CXN V2 |
Look forward to hearing your impressions @pokey77 ! |
I am using IsoTek Optimum only on my Sigmas power conditioner. Using Audio Envy on my preamp (P2) and amp (M3) and Nordost Frey 2 on my source. Audio Envy, for me, is much much better than the Optimum, no contest. Planning to try Hijiri this year. Will be very interested to hear about your audition with Takumi. |
Just ordered the Takumi PC to try in my system. @pokey77 Which Isotek cable did you have? I'm running the Optimums in my system which I preferred over some upper tier AQ offerings. -Alex |
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@tyray you are correct. I work in architectural manufacturing and what I meant by the word fabricating was gathering the required source materials and then making the part or parts, or in this case, the cable. @grannyring , yes, it was not accurate for me to say that the Hijiri cables are vastly outperforming the competition. They appear to be handcrafted and are able to offer a unique presentation to music. |
Easy there big fella, I did not take @fai_v question as being negative at all. Fabricating/fabrication does not always mean an invention of a non truth. I work in construction as a draftsman and the words fabricating or fabrication are used all the time. They too mean to construct or manufacture something, especially an industrial product produced in a shop or the field from some sort of plan or detail. Almost everything built is from some sort of fabrication process, including our audio gear. And if you read what grannyring wrote, he actually took the time to explain to @fai_v the fabricating process of building cable from stock parts. One of the things I respect about Bill is not the fact that he has audio knowledge I admire, but how he treats people. He try’s very hard to be civil to everyone and take the time to teach. We would all do well to follow his example. Does this mean I’m some what of a pushover? No but the typed word can be taken wrong as opposed to talking to someone face to face. Or even on the phone. We are to old for this, and everyday someone who used to be here on agon has gone on...Let’s enjoy this hobby. Now, albeit I completely understand if one had a few glasses of wine or some shots of some fine Tennessee bourbon though!☺ |
Not sure it is accurate to say they “ are vastly outperforming the competition”. Competition is a great big universe of brands and none of us have heard them all. Also, Hijiri is marked by a certain beauty of flow, tone and purity that will appeal to many, but perhaps others will want more of this or that other sonic attribute. The whole subjective thing comes into play. I will say they must be heard to find out if they “do it” for you like others have experienced.
Cable making is every bit an art also. Two cooks may be given the very same ingredients and asked to prepare the same dish. Both can taste very different. Cable building with like materials is the same. The Hijiri designer is skilled with the ingredients he uses. This is also a piece of the Hijiri “magic” as it should be. Can’t read about this in specs etc…. My speaker cables appear to be high purity, solid core copper. The connectors are very high quality, but I don’t know if they are made internally. The Nagomi power cord is very flexible suggesting stranded conductors.
There are many online reviews to be found on his offerings. |
I'm trying to find some more info on the HIJIRI technology in the cables but can't find any. How are they fabricating these interconnects that they are so vastly outperforming the competition? I've heard of other brands making low capacitance connectors which can help. Also, Audio Envy interconnects claim a very low capacitance for the whole interconnect. But how is HIJIRI rising above these other brands? |
@grannyring , how would you compare a set of well-made DIY Helix Air RCA interconnects, to either the HIJIRI or Zavfino? |
Wow! And Puritan supplies it’s own quality power cord. Does anyone know if the 聖HIJIRI cables/power cords are burned in prior to shipping? If so, what duration? As this knowledge would help out a lot with the mentioned earlier 14 day trial period if one wanted to return power cords. |
@grannyring Perfect, I was looking for a good PC to power my power conditioner or an extension bar fed from my conditioner, just the job. Thank you. |
I have one on my conditioner, integrated amp, music server and dac. I find the Nagomi works well on all the above! I noticed nice sonic improvements in each position. I found the most improvement on my Puritan 156 conditioner. Next in terms of level of impact was my integrated amp. Then came the dac and finally my server. This was my experience with my particular gear and system. |
@grannyring Thanks buddy I agree $5k+ is not what I would want to spend either. I'll probably give the Nagomi's a try. Do you find they are better suited to power applications or pre-amps,servers and DACs? Appreciated. |
@lordmelton , my decision was purely financial. The Takumi is close to 4x the price and that is simply far above my budget. |
