WBT Nextgen RCA connector evaluation & shoot-out

Introduction: Several weeks ago I changed my connectors on my two sets of unbalanced interconnect to the WBT nextgen (WBt--110Cu). I changed the two most critical male RCA's going from my preamp to my Convergent audio JL2 amp and another set of interconnect going from my Dynavector phono headamp to my modified MFA Lummesence preamp phono stage. The phono interconnect is Silver Audio Appassionata which is very similar both in design and construction to the Kimber Select 1030 and both use the WBT-0108 topline crimp connectors. Both the silver audio and KS-1030 are excellent cables as I have used both on my system but have a slight preference for the Appassionata over the KS-1030 due to it's smoother overall presentation. The other set of interconnects going from my preamp to my amp is a 2 meter pair of Discovery Essence and I removed the stock clearaudio male connectors which looked nice from the outside but after taking them apart was disappointed with the lower build quality inside of the male clearaudio RCA's. Also changed was one set of female RCA's in my CAT JL2 amp to the (WBT-0210Cu). My Convergent Audio JL2 amp had the stock Cardas female connectors and changing them to the WBT nextgen was fairly easy once I turned the 180 pound beast on its side and removed the base cover plate so I could solder the new connectors on inside the chasse. A total (10) WBT nextgen connectors were were installed at once with a total of (20) new solder joints. I used the WBT 4% silver solder and a 30 watt Weller soldering iron to make the new connections on the nextgen's and the whole operation took me about 2 1/2 hours to complete.

Listening impressions: After all of the expence and time to change the (10) RCA connectors I was very interested to listen and hear any changes in my audio system. My analog front end consists of a Basis 2500 Signature turntable, Basis Vector M-3 tonearm and Benz LP phono Cartridge. I kept my note pad and pen next to my chair and played some very familiar source material for evaluation and took some careful notes. My first reaction was very positive with no breakin for the nextgen connectors. The notes I first wrote down on my paper were "more spacious, open and detailed. More precise with great bass impact and definition". I also wrote "much more lively and engaging with a cleaner and purer sound". With 3-4 more hours of continuous play time giving the connectors time to break-in in the sound improved further and became more dynamic with greater detail. Since there are (20) new solder joints I knew it would take some time for the new connectors to settle down and break-in so over the last several weeks I played music and listened as the sound continued to improve. Based on my listening impressions it takes at least 100+ hours to fully break-in these new WBT nextgen connectors. After several weeks the sound became more relaxed, open and dynamic. In a nut shell the new WBT's have a purer sound with much cleaner note tones compared to my old connectors I was using before the upgrade. I also noticed much better bass extension on the lower frequencies and vocal material had a much more clear and detailed (in a natural way) sound that was very pleasing and musical. Was the upgrade worth it? In one word Yes, Yes, Yes. I always suspected I was loosing musical information using heavy alloy Brass connectors and my listening tests prove it. Using pure copper or silver instead of Brass like the WBT-0108 and other similar connectors on the market and shorting the signal path creates a purer, more detailed and natural sound. I believe these WBT nextgen connectors using purer metals and minimizing surface contact with the signal path is the way to go and provided a very nice upgrade to my whole system.

WBT-0108 vs. WBT-0110Cu shootout: Not leaving well enough alone I just had to know the difference between these connectors. Both are topline and both use completely different designs. The WBT-0108 uses a crimp connection and as previously mentioned used a brass alloy, 68% copper with Zinc and other metals to add hardness so the male connectors so they can be more easily machined by the manufacture. The nextgen (WBT-0110 Cu) connectors use much smaller 100% pure copper contact pins and are plated with 24 carat Gold and are soldered not crimped. I used one pair of Silver Audio Appassionata with the WBT-0108 and another identical pair with the WBT-0110 Cu for comparison. I switched the two pairs of interconnect several times during the shoot-out and the experience was quite interesting and educational as both connectors sounded quite different. All other components of my system remained unchanged with only the connectors changing. The interconnect was used in the very critical phono cable going into my MFA preamp from my Dyanvector phono headamp. Any slight change in the signal could be heard in this position and thus it was ideal for doing direct comparisons.

Listening impressions: Again I had my note pad and pen ready and my first impressions with the 0108 are as follows." Softer sound than nextgen with more fat but less defined. Bass a bit sloppy compared to WBT nextgen. Less precise and clear overall."
I then switched back to the Appassionata with the WBT-0110 Cu nextgen - " More impact and forceful with greater mid-bass clarity. More dynamic from left to right on the soundstage. A cleaner picture with more punch and impact. Vocals are more vivid and lively" I also noticed the older WBT-0108 RCA's had a certain bloat ness to the sound that was not present in the nextgen.

In conclusion the 0108 connectors had more fat and body than the nextgen connectors but the WBT-0110 Cu outperformed the 0108's in every other way. The greater clarity, detail, slam impact and overall purer sound from the WBT nextgen's made them the clear winner in my system.

Johnny