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REVIEW: KLEI gZero20 Interconnect

I have just purchased these and can honestly say they leave me breathless.

How can a piece of wire be responsible for such remarkable improvements? Take a look at the review on the KLEI web site and there is a brief insight into the gZero Architecture.

Bottom line: the abilities of these interconnects are remarkable.

I've owned the gZero6's and tried the gZero10's, but the gZero20's are deservedly KLE Innovations pinnacle product.

Imaging, dynamics, clarity, hi-end and low end extension leave most other cables in their wake. You want PRAT, these IC's are about as good as you are going to experience.

Fist let me state that my system, albeit modestly priced, has some very high performance power cables that allow the components to excel in their performance. I also have the KLEI gZero6 speaker cables - which allows the amp to exert it's authority in controlling my very adept Gershman Acoustics Sonogram full range speakers.

So unless you have invested in the other cables in your system, you will not reap the full benefit these IC's have to offer

My casual listening is via streaming to my Schiit Bifrost DAC, which has it's own set of high performance power, USB and interconnects. With the gZero20's employed it was about as close to my analogue rig that I have ever come from a smoothness and warmth perspective, without compromising the crisp dynamic nature of this excellent little DAC.

Transferring these IC's to my analogue rig really demonstrated the extremely fine level of details these IC's are capable of conveying. But they also took the performance of the entire analogue side to a whole new level of - "belief".

The biggest improvements were in clarity, image and overall control. From and extremely well controlled and deeply extended bass performance, to the incredibly detailed, but smooth high-end vocal, strings and woodwind performances. But there was also a new warmth to the entire performance, that the gZero10 was a little short on.

What captured my attention from the get-go was the sense of "Space"...
- the extended space around performers
- the cavernous space of the venue and it's very detailed acoustics
- the placement of performers within the space

If you don't own any KLE Innovations IC's...
- the gZero3's are an excellent place to start
- the gZero6's are a considerable step up
- the gZero10's will have you going through your library
- but the gZero20's will make you forget all about time

It doesn't matter what level of resolution your components are capable of - these cables will have to thinking you've just completed a major component upgrade.

I do not hide the fact I am a huge fan of products from KLE Innovations - that is because...
- I've tried most of them
- not only do they ALL work extremely well
- they provide great value

They really are - that good!

Regards...
williewonka
williewonka OP
3,075 posts
 
Mordante - what components and cables do you have?

The 6 IC is very good indeed - probably the best "bang for the buck" and the gZero2 SC is a perfect match for it.

I think the 10 is probably an IC KLEI could drop, because I think the 20 is a much better value and a perfect match for the 6 SC.

One thing I have come to appreciate with these cables - they have brought out the very best performance even from my more modest components...

e.g. my Schiit Bifrost + Uber Upgrade at around $550 exceeded my expectation by a considerable margin...
- it was extremely good with the gZero3's
- elevated to fantastic with the gZero6's
- but really excelled with the gZero20 and even the gFLOW - in both cases simply superb imaging and reproduction of live venue acoustics.

Just yesterday I was listening to a system in the $30+k range
- the CD player ($12k) was better fidelity wise - but the image was very confused
- the amp $3500) had an onboard DAC, but the Bifrost was much better across the board - which surprised me.
- the speakers were around $9k

The system as a whole also exhibited a very muddled and boomy bass and a confusing image, which was not the fault of the speakers, since I know their capabilities very well.

- I can only assume the "issues" had something to do with the cables.
- which were also very expansive at around $9k (power + speaker + IC's)

So as you can see - modest components can excel - with the right cables :-)

Hope this helps
mordante
511 posts
 
My system is a mit of a mix and match system.

Speaker: Dynamic Solution Master One (Dutch speakers http://www.dynamic-solutions.nl/pdf/one.pdf)
Turntable: SAC Girati Grande
Tonearm: Dynavector 507mkII
Cartridge: Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua
Phone amp: RCM Sensor Prelude
CD Transpart: CEC TL51x
DAC: Wadia 12
Integrated amp: Symphonic Lina La Musica
ICs: Pink Faun 5th anniversary
Speaker cables: Audioquest Rocker 88 (2.7meters)
Power cables: Zu Rok, NBS Omgega 3, Shunyata Taipan Helix? Alpa, NBS dragon fly

Right now I am testing out an Ansuz power distributor and some Anzus power cables. Chances are I will buy the Mainz D8, and either and Ansuz Mainz P or Mainz A depending on what kind of deal I can make. Ansuz power cable wil be use from wall socket to distribution block.

I will be changing my digital source, right now I use a lap top to stream connected to the wadia DAC. When the Auralic Arie mini will be available I will chick it out. Replacing DAC, transport and laptop.
williewonka OP
3,075 posts
 
Mordante - I just spent some time looking up your components (very nice indeed) and I believe that they really warrant the zFLOW cables.

Now it's not that the gZero6's woudn't sound good on your system - it's just that the zFLOWs will provide a significantly better delivery of that reality captured in a live recording.

The venue acoustics on live performances and orchestral works are what the zFLOWs excel at reproducing - they simply melt the walls of the listening room away and present you with - the artists - in the venue - playing.

I have a few recordings where the venue is massive and give the illusion that it has enveloped the entire floor of my house - yes - they are that good :-)

Why did I stick with the gZero 6 SC's and gZero20 IC's?
- simply because the resolution of my current components do not really do justice to the zFLOW cables - but I believe your components will!

Anyhow - we all have to work within a budget - but keep me posted on your progress - I would appreciate knowing how the cables pan out - especially with those components.

Cheers
mordante
511 posts
 
Williewonka,

Thank you for your comprehensive reply. I'll keep you posted. (if I remember). Before I upgrade my interlinks that are some other steps which I have to take first.

The acoustical properties of my living listing room really need to be improved. So someone in the coming months I will see what is available (GIK, RivaSono, Real Traps etc) and what my girlfriend will accept. I want to get the early reflections and the reverberation (RT60), under control. As well as same bass management.

A few weeks ago I heard a rather high end set in a horrible room. That woke me up. No matter how much money you spend on equipment. If the room is bad the set will never sound great.
williewonka OP
3,075 posts
 
Mordante, I found that the correct speaker placement solved many of what I thought was poor room acoustics and made a significant improvement to system performance.

Having said that, I did have a nasty echo that ran across the wall behind the speaker which I fixed with two 7ft x 15 inch screens/baffles placed almost in each corner behind the speakers.

To increase WAF (GAF or PAF whichever is applicable) I made Them to look like panel lighting, nice ambiance :-)))

Revards
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