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
Ozzy, I paid for them with a 14-day trial.I have already said that I auditioned speakers that I also paid for, but then returned for a full refund. I've enjoyed and appreciated your posts over the years, but your posts and behavior in this thread has been an embarrassment. Frankly, I don't give a rat's ass what you believe. But your questioning the integrity of longtime members is pathetic.
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@ozzy , I am very surprised at your posts here. No basis in truth and disappointing to me. We all paid Ozzy. I never met @lalitk, however I would love to. We never even emailed on Hijiri before I purchase mine. No, I am not going to defend with anymore words. I and we don’t need to. It seems I can’t help you Ozzy. I post like you on stuff I like and that I payed for on trial. Period. If you don’t believe me, then that is on you and keep it to yourself. I do not deserve and have not earned your disparaging comments on my character. |
grannyring, you and I have been around for a while and I do respect your opinion. But how is it that a few have been able to audition the cables and rave about it. While others (like myself) have to pay for them. And, I still have not been able to ascertain exactly why the power cables are over $5000! The web site says they are copper wire and the pictures shows Wattgate plugs. Are you guys telling me that you each invested $5000-$10,000 based on the Japanese crappy website and/or the nonexistent website of the local supplier? Sorry, I don’t believe it. ozzy |
Hey @ozzy : Resistance is futile. There is really one way to know if these cables work for you 😉 |
Based on the enthusiastic recommendations here of the Hijiri cables, I overcame a little bit of skepticism and quite a bit of sticker shock and decided to audition the Takumi power cord in my system. I'll hold off until I have had more time to fully process what I am hearing, but I will say this much: do NOT audition this cord unless you are seriously considering buying it. Once you hear it, you cannot "unhear" it. Frankly, I have tried a lot of cables over the years and consider a lot of the breathless praise one often reads to be hyperbole, especially when people say a cable change is as transformative as a component upgrade. Not anymore. The Takumi has forced me to reconsider all of my previous assumptions of just how big a difference a cable can make. In short, I am gobsmacked.
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@tomic601, Yes! That’s exactly what I meant. Thank you |
If anyone can give comparisons to equally priced Synergistic Research power cords/cable it would be much appreciated. And Colin of gestalt, I have problem with you chiming in here as I hold no prejudices against you. In fact, if grannyring says your cool, that's enough for me. I know I could have easily made a phone call but it seemed more interesting to me trying to get responses here, now on Audiogon. Thanks all. |
@grannyring Thanks for your comments about a couple of USB cables that are not made by Hijiri. I apologize if my question moved the discussion too far away from the main topic of this thread, but I do think that comparisons and comments about how different brands of cable can work well together is highly relevant to the topic at hand. I find it especially useful to hear that a particular USB cable integrates well with your loom of Hijiri cables because it improves body, fluidity, and smoothness. Those are characteristics attributed to Hijiri cables by users on this thread and in professional reviews. Those are also characteristics shared by my current preference in interconnects - namely, the Cardas Clear Reflection. There are certainly interconnects that emphasize detail more than the CR, but it is usually at the expense of smoothness, tonality, and naturalness. It sounds like the Hijiri cables share many of the strengths of the CR but may differ in subtle ways that affect the match to a system's sound or to a listener's preferences. The upper tier of the Hijiri cables are out of my price range, but the lower tier may be worth a listen at some point. |
@grannyring did you have these cables prior to the new speakers and amp changes? Just curious about the differences in cable transition if from old to new components. |
@grannyring How does the sound quality of the Tchernov Pro USB differ from the Network Acoustics USB III? |
@thyname I received the USB from @gestalt. Colin is the importer/dealer. Yes the USB is better than my very best build. It is simply fantastic. I have tried top tier USB cables from SABLON, Hapa Audio, Wywires, Network Acoustics and others. All of these, including mine, were very good indeed. I decided to try the Tchernov Pro USB and could not take it back out of my system. Now you must remember the Tchernov is some 4X the price. However, I have listened to other $850-$1200 USB cables in my system that did not sound quite as good as the Tchernov Pro. Again, my opinion based on listening in my system.
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@thyname hi!
I import Tchernov; feel free to DM/call if you're curious. |
Thanks @pumpweel I have the Pro USB and Ref 2 ICs. All else is Hijiri. |
He had these Tchernov Reference |
@grannyring : how does Tchernov Reference USB cable compare to your own USB cable? Where do you get these cables, direct from Russia? I do not see any US dealer. |
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I know these helix builds intimately as you know having built many, many iterations. I have always shared they are as good as many big dollar cables and a great value. I still believe that. Time goes on, and since I am intentionally curious, I have actually listened to many more brands and designs. After hearing both Hijiri and Tchernov cables in my system, and other systems, I can emphatically say these DIY builds simply don’t reach the same level of musical connection and nuance. Still great for the money and fun to build! Also remember that all high dollar cables don’t offer the level of performance found in Hijiri and Tchernov. These two brands also represent value, but at a much higher price point. |
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“All I am saying, for those kind of prices, they do need to get a better handle of how the value proposition is communicated.” I get what you’re saying, what more I can say that hasn’t been shared here. The head honcho of Combak Mr. Kazuo Kiuchi is a man of few words. He let his creations do the talking through end users…lol! May be someday you get to experience the absolute art and soul of sound, HIJIRI cables embodies. Whenever you’re ready, reach out to Colin for a risk free trial. |
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They should hire me! Ha! I spent 35 years in sales management, brand management, marketing management and new product innovation.
You can read up on the designer as he is an interesting man who also produces CD recordings. The JVC Recording Studio in Japan uses Hijiri cables and vibration control products. |
Now @grannyring .... if they put exactly what you wrote above on their website, and explain it that way, everything would read much better and make more sense! |
I have learned after making countless cables that the conductor material and type are but one part of the finished cable’s sound. The ear of the designer and their relentless curiosity of trying all manner of dielectric, geometry, shielding and vibration control are actually more important. I cannot overstate this. The designer of Hijiri cables says he tunes them and based on my listening he has nailed the natural flow and tone of music. He worked for five years tuning the sound of these cables. I realize I am paying for his talent, ears and artistry. Cable building at this level is every bit an art as it is anything else. No way to ever comprehend or assume how a cable like this will sound by a website, words or pictures. Must listen over time. Not a matter of quick A/B testing, but rather marinating in the sound over many days. Fun! Hijiri’s site, Japan location and language barriers may not appeal to some. We all have differing sensitivities and that’s cool. Hijiri is simply another option for we music lovers.
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If @lalitk @lak @grannyring @wig say these are wonderful sounding cables, I trust them in full to be. However, they do have to do a better job with the website. From an outsider point of view, there is not much on the website that you can discern, an observation (and a correct one) shared by @ozzy For example, looking at the Takumi maestro power cord, when trying to figure out the type of wire they use and the geometry / build, this is all you get: ------ Design principle: Crystal clear, wide and deep sound stage and musically reality Wire material: Custom-made copper, directional, Meet RoHS reument ------- Forget the grammatical errors, other than "special / custom made copper" there is not so much info in terms of what they are doing. And some of the language is extremely cheesy: like " produced with the care of Maestro can conduct AC current exceptionally smooth, and the electronics driven will deliver breathtakingly clear and natural to raise “The Art of Music” that one can most appreciate the unprecedented sound reproduction retrieval reminiscent of a live musical event.
All I am saying, for those kind of prices, they do need to get a better handle of how the value proposition is communicated. Word of mouth can only do so much. I for one, looked seriously into the line last year, because of the opinion of @lalitk who I highly respect, but could not get past the shortcomings of the info available on the website. I just could not take the next step and obviously price is a factor, especially when considering resale value (or lack thereof). During that time back in April, Colin was indeed a great guy to communicate with. Zero issues with that. Apologies if this comes out negatively here, but that’s not my intention. On the contrary... |
To clarify, for the last year I have been using the Audio Envy $179 P2 and the $279 M3 power cords. I like them and as I noted before, they easily bested the Isotek $1k power cord. As many, including yourself, say that Zavfino is better than AE, I thought I'd give Zavfino a try since they appear to be value oriented as well. Around the same time I was thinking of trying Zavfino, Hijiri was also mentioned and so that's how I got here. I appreciate your comments. |
My hesitancy to shell out money is based on the idea that the power cords are made using nothing that really jumps out at me, as "high tech". construction is with copper wire and Wattgate plugs. I really doubt whether either of the models would compare favorably to my current power cords. Collin may be the greatest guy in the world but that would not be my reason for trying the cables. BTW, I have seen on Audioshark many of these cables for sale throughout the world. ozzy |
I only compared the Nagomi and TAKUKI Maestro power cords. After hearing the differences between the two, I felt ‘upper’ level cables in HIJIRI line is the way to go. I wanted to be done with cable upgrades and focus on other areas of possible improvements. And that’s exactly what I did, HIJIRI’s cables have been instrumental in approaching and more importantly differentiating the next level of digital front end along with new appreciation for my existing components in the system. |
@pokey77 I think you mentioned that you hadn’t heard AE or Zavfino, but correct me if I’m wrong on that. Now I have not heard Cap’s NV11 ribbon SC or his Mega power cord, which I think used to be an off the menu type of thing. However, based on my time with the Prestige interconnects, the grounded and ungrounded power cords and the NV9 SC, I would say Zavfino interconnects are definitely better - and that’s both the Arcadia and Fusion, and the Power cable and speaker cables also perform at a higher level, but again, I haven’t heard the Mega or NV11 and I’m comparing those against the Prima mkII PC/SC. I would love to try Hijiri down the road. I get what lalitk is talking about with the constricted nature of the Zavfino cables- that may be related to the high temp PVC, as I’ve heard this gives more punch and detail although it doesn’t help as much with smoothness or ease. The Zavfino cables are definitely inserting their sonic signature on the music, but it’s very engaging to listen to. I am comparing Zavfino SC/PC against Silversmith and Puritan, as they don’t do looms. @lalitk you’ve heard both levels of the Hijiri cables? |
I was introduced to Gestalt Audio by Grannyring. To say Colin is an *Honest* stand-up gentleman, no-pressure dealer, would be an understatement. I ordered cables from him and he delivered on a dime, always answered or returned calls immediately. I'm thankful to know him and his very unique, extremely musical product line. |
Lots of great comments in here. Keep them coming. I believe that @kimurastanley also has some Hijiri. If you'd comment, that'd add value. Thank you. |
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I own the HIJIRI Nagomi power cords and HIJIRI HCS Speaker cables and love them. Best cables I have own to date. They have a very detailed and natural presentation in my system. Not subtle at all, these cables are tuned and you can tell. Colin was great to work with and I feel he is someone I can trust 100%. I know because I bought 3 pc’s, returned 1 and got my money back in a blink of an eye. Why did I return 1 of the cords? Because I felt I only needed 2 pc's in my system. I installed 1 on my Power Conditioner and 1 on my Tube Pre Amp. Oh and they were better than the $3000 Shunyata Sigma V1’s in my system :) |
