My first experience w/ CH Acoustic cables (September):
Sources:
EVS Modded Oppo 105
Rega RP8 w/ Dynavector Karat D3
Amp:
Decware SE34I.5 w/ UFO mods & 25th anniversary mods
Cables:
Marigo Audio Labs, Omega Mikro, & Analysis Plus Inc.
Immediate takeaways of X10 loom:
The already low noise floor dropped, creating an almost eerily quiet backdrop for the music. Subtle sounds and nuances became apparent against this backdrop. The music flowed and became smoother and more emotionally engaging. I didn't realize how much music was escaping through my prior cable loom. |
My second experience w/ CH Acoustic cables (October):
After exploring this hobby for well over two decades, I've become cautious about exciting new sounds and experiences. I try to calm/test my own responses to ensure they're meaningful and lasting. So...
I decided to keep the X10 Power Cables & X10 Interconnects, but let the speaker cables go back to CH Acoustic. Did the magic leave entirely? No.
Gradually...I had to acknowledge that music passages, where dynamics and complexity led to a immersive experience...were lost w/o the speaker cables. Indeed, at the very end of the system, the special magic (that led to greater emotional engagement) had escaped though my old speaker cables.
Solution, I contacted CH Acoustic & purchased the X10 speaker cables. Full loom equals full magic. I'm an audiophile. I have to have it. |
I never heard of CH Acoustic so googled it and read a Positive Feedback review about them.The review reminded me so much of auditioning an ic from Audio Sensibility(Statement se, OCC silver).Really beautiful,detailed,but too soft for my taste.My preference is a more 'live' sound.The review mirrored my thoughts anyway.Now I'm wondering if a whole loom is necessary to get an accurate impression of a cable manufacture's signature sound?I've tried that in the past a few times but it only worked well once.Sounds like you hit the jackpot with your CH loom,so congrats!Hopefully more owners will chime in:-)Enjoy!
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Thanks so much for your post. Yes, I am becoming convinced the full loom is the only way to obtain an accurate impression of a cable manufacturer's sound.
Just today, a friend and I were discussing why?...My current belief is the consistency of design. If the design has flaws, the flaws will be exposed and heard, establishing the loom's "sound" & "character". In this line of thinking, lesser flaws, lesser character, & more music! :)
In addition, I finally enjoyed a more demonstrably obvious A/B comparison with the full loom. In the past, I felt I was auditioning "tone controls" as I mixed & matched various manufacturers (and their various design flaws) for my system's cable loom. The result was frustration and boredom. It just wasn't compelling.
Anyway, thanks again for your post & hopefully we'll hear from others...
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My third experience w/ CH Acoustic cables (October):
Maybe you're not as decadent as I, but I've owned four different pairs of speakers for most of the 2019. I like all four pairs. However, in direct A/B or A/B/C/D comparisons, I kept coming away without a clear winner. My solution..wait.
Move forward...w/ the X10 loom...why not try again with A/B/C/D comparisons?
1. All speakers sounded better: Takeaway - the X10 loom removed a constraint from the system...letting all four speaker pairs shine.
2. All speakers had a more defined character: Takeaway - w/o some (???) former loom constraints, the design flaws of each speaker pair...were more greatly exposed and obvious, establishing the speakers' sound & character.
3. It was so EASY to discern the speaker pair that I believed provided greater performance. No need to do 39 consecutive A/B comparisons. No need to tabulate my thoughts. No headaches. No need to call in friends and family for evaluation opinions....By the way, I've warn out this option with my wife. :)
So...maybe you're not as decadent as I, but I enjoyed this section of audiophile roller coaster. As an audiophile...maybe that's okay. ;) |
My fourth experience w/ CH Acoustic cables (October):
Now that I was having fun making system comparisons and remember...I'm a decadent audiophile... :) ... I decided to test my trusted Decware amp vs. a Balanced Audio Technology VK6200.
Exactly as occurred w/ the speaker A/B/C/D comparison, both amps sounded wonderful. However, w/ the BAT, the sound-stage expanded and the impact expanded.
Did the Decware lose...No...just a different way to obtain beautiful sound. I kept them both! |
I agree that a really good pair of speaker cables will show exactly what an amp and speakers are capable of.Plus that will let you hear what is good and bad upstream so you can evaluate and address any issues.
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An additional thought I would offer beyond jtcf's post, the full loom of a cable manufacturer or model can provide a more consistent foundation to display the capability the system (i.e. amp, pre-amp, speakers, & source). I'm also assuming that the cable manufacturer truly develops synergistic cables that are more than the sum of the parts. |
My fifth experience w/ CH Acoustic cables (November):
As an audiophile, I let my ears be my guide. Admittedly, I made this choice out of necessity. I've found the science too difficult to decipher in this hobby. In addition, I've found it difficult to find a solid source for science. I want to be discerning, but there's so much MISINFORMATION and so many GLOWING reviews. It's just tough...
Anyway, a good friend has attempted to convince me that the science of balanced vs. single ended connections (balanced as superior) is sound and undeniable. In the past, I stuck with single ended because it worked, the stars didn't need to align, & it was one less variable in the pursuit of great sound.
Well, after my October experiments, I had access to a balanced source, a balanced amp, & a great cable loom. I decided now was the time to compare balanced vs. single ended connections.
So.......it was an easy win for balanced connections. The noise floor dropped, the outlines of sounds became easier to identify and locate, and more subtleties of music appeared. No negatives, only positives.
Some of you aren't surprised. I was. Believe it or not, I tried this experiment a few years ago with a different loom and heard no discernible improvement. On reflection, I don't believe my system was fully balanced at the time, so maybe the stars weren't properly aligned to take advantage of the science.??? |
I owned a CH Acoustics X-20 power cord some years ago, bought after demoing many other power cords. I chose it because it was very open sounding -- extremely clear and fast sounding, about as far removed from a tone control as one can get. I seem to recall it needs to be plugged directly into an outlet, not a power conditioner, to sound its best -- at least that is what Craig Hampel recommended. I ended up buying it to power my transport. Once I sold that and replaced it with a Mac mini, I also sold the CH Acoustics power cord.
If you are looking to add warmth or for enhanced bass, CH Acoustics isn't a great choice.
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Mcondon:
Thanks for sharing. Truly, I appreciate your description of what the CH Acoustic cables are... and are not. “Very open sounding— extremely clear and fast sounding, about as far removed from a tone control as one can get” are great descriptions.
After having contemplated your words and my experience a bit, I offer that the CH Acoustic cables let you HEAR YOUR SYSTEM...warts and all. Admittedly, I’ve not heard any component sound BAD with these cables. Simply, it’s EXTREMELY easy to hear the character of & differences between components.
Finally, I hope NEVER AGAIN to use my cable loom “to add warmth or for enhanced bass”. I appreciate having one less variable to consider for system enhancement. If I need more or different, I’ll get it from a new component....while enjoying the process. :) |
My sixth experience w/ CH Acoustic cables (December):
Subjectively, this experiment provided the most SIGNIFICANT improvement, supports Mcondon's recollection, and probably points out a poor component...which was previously unknown....
For years, I plugged in my source components to power conditioners...as suggested to me by a few friends and component manufacturers. Initially, I noticed an improvement and never did any serious A/B comparisons afterward.
Craig Hampel, of CH Acoustic, told me that his power cords performed better w/o power conditioners (or at least did not require them). Realizing that I had the source power cord plugged into a power conditioner, I decided to do an A/B comparison.
First, I made a few changes and plugged the cord into the wall. I needed to re-sort (tidy up) cord paths, etc. & let the music play while I worked. Suddenly, the music was WAY TOO LOUD. Though behind my speakers, I had to find my remote & turn down the volume. I don't mind loud, but I don't enjoy painful. (In addition, I love this hobby too much and want to mitigate hearing loss.) Confused... I didn't remember turning up the volume during this A/B?
Next, I sat down and listened for a bit. The transient impacts were ridiculous. Literally, I turned down the volume AGAIN to get a better grip on the what was happening...sharper differentiation among instruments, big space (dynamic contrast) between sounds, more focus on everything...just sound popping out from individual spaces...
So..I switched to a few songs I knew well. Generally, it appeared that I had upgraded my source. Obviously, the power conditioner had "choked off" the musical capability of my source. Maybe this potential was always there & I was negligent in doing an appropriate A/B comparison in the past. Regardless, I WOULD NOT dispute Craig's & Mcondon's claim that CH Acoustic power cords perform best plugged directly into the wall.
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Hello @moneyman,
I am needing a new connector for my CH Acoustics x20 power cord, but can't find the CH Acoustics web site. Do you have a way to communicate with them?
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Hello @acman3,
I'm the exclusive retailer for CH Acoustic new products and I also sell CH Acoustic legacy products (i.e. X10, X20, & X30).
Please forward a picture of the cable, along with a description of the issue. I'll work with you to determine an appropriate remedy ASAP.
Thank you for your support of CH Acoustic.
Amor Sound |
