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Essence®gZero10 Interconnect cables single ended

I received these IC's about 12 days ago and since then they have been cycling through the burn-in process - i.e. 24 x 7 streaming internet radio.

They already sounded as good as the gZero6 right from the start, but the blurb on the KLE Innovations web site implyed a significant improvement.

It took over 200 hours for them to "break out", but when they did - let's just say it was well worth the wait.

I've been fortunate to have tried the gZero3 on my system and I currently own the gZero6 and having now heard the gZero10's the one thing that stands out about the entire range is their consistency of tone - it just does not change.

So what has improved with the gZero10 ?...
- the dynamics are faster
>>> the gZero6 was excellent, but the gZero10 is significantly faster

- the very fine details have improved- especially the those extremely fine whispery details that contributes to the emotion of a vocal performance and also the mechanical artifacts as the performer depress instrument keys or move up and down the fret/finger board adding to the realism.

- the image is more spacious and accurate - instruments and artists are placed with laser precision but the space around them not only contains artifacts from their instruments, but also those adjacent instruments. It's a much more natural blend.

- the bass is significantly deeper, but extremely well controlled to the point where textures, even in the lowest frequencies can be heard.

But for me, the most convincing improvement is the reproduction of the venue acoustics present in recording of live performances.

One album I have is Julian Bream and John Williams Together. The venue acoustics have always muddied their position on the stage, but the gZero10's have cured that issue and then some - this is perhaps one of the best live recordings I have - now :-)

I have had the opportunity to audition the gZero3 on a friends very nice system and we both agreed they outperformed his far more expensive silver XLR interconnects from a well known brand, so the gZero10's should provide an even better sonic performance on systems capable of extremely high resolution.

If I had to sum up the key qualities of the gZero10 I would have to say they are fast, articulate, spacious, smooth and are able to convey the emotion of the performer and the space of the venue

These IC's are extremely good on my analogue rig, but on my DAC they bring the performance as close to analogue as I will probably get.

Either way, these IC's are excellent performers and will give more expensive cables a run for their money.

Yes, they are a little pricey, but they will probably be the last cables you buy.

Visit the KLE Innovations web site for more details and reviews

And if you do happen to buy a pair - be sure to give them 300 hours burn-in

Regards
williewonka
williewonka OP
3,072 posts
 
UPDATE NOTICE...
Yping, just to confirm my thoughts from the last post - I tried a silver/
copper DIY hybrid IC that I have - which uses the Silver Harmony RCA's.

Once again I could not tell the difference between my cable, the gZero6 and
the gZero10 when used as a digital IC

However, there is a distinct difference between all three cables when used
as an analogue IC.

I also used a higher quality DVD player just to ensure there were fewer
resolution related issues.

There may be improvements to be had by using the Silver Harmony over
the Copper Harmony on DIY cables, as stated in the review you posted. But
I cannot say for sure if moving up to the Pure Harmony or Absolute
Harmony is warranted based on these observations

But as the reviewer stated, there is a certain level of comfort in using the
very best RCA available.

But when it comes to KLEI cables I think the gZero3 would be more than
sufficient for duty as an excellent digital link. But again, there's that
personal comfort level from using the very best cable available :-)

This certainly satisfies my curiosity :-)

Regards...
yping
351 posts
 
Which would you say sounds better... SPDIF or USB or I2S or HDMI or ???
yping
351 posts
 
Sounds like digital jitter is more easily overcome than analog noise, although analog noise is perhaps easier to listen to than jitter...
williewonka OP
3,072 posts
 
Yping, on my system the first DVD source I tried the S/PDIF performed to a lower level than my USB. However the second DVD source I tried I could tell no difference between USB or S/PDIF

Which is best? -I think it depends on each individual USB implmentation. The first USB interfaces in DACs where simply not good. This has improved tremendously and the latest from Schiit is extremely good.

Also, I have put effort into ensuring my USB interface performs to it's best ability by using a split USB data/power cable and seperate USB power supply, so it performs to the highest level possible - I think.

Without taking the approach above, a simpler USB implementation is more likely to suffer from issues pertaining to both the stability of the USB power supply and the noise pollution present in many conventional USB cable designs - whereas adopting a S/PDIF approach immediately eliminates the USB's power related issues.

Incorporating a USB-S/PDIF converter is one way to improve on the USB interface if you prefer - personally, I do not think introducing one into my particular implementation would be of any benefit, but I could be wrong.

Re: digital jitter and analogue noise - I wouldn't say either issue is "easier to overcome", since there are different issues with each digital interface and on the analogue side, other than noise, you always have that ethereal "component/cable synergy" to consider.

I think we are getting more knowledgeable in both realms and will one day nail the perfect solution - having said that - I'm still working on my turntable after 34 years :-)

Re: HDMI - I use it for my A/V system only, no experience with this on my audio system.

Re: 12s - no experience with this.

Regards
lateboomer
8 posts
 
I just bought gZero10 ic and gZero6 sc and listened to them extensively. Music listening is very very fulfilling and intoxicating.
I owned quite a lot of cables. I realized something that if you able to use very good high purity conductor most probably you will get very good sound in term of tone and clarity.

However, what is the most difficult part is to get the dynamic distribution top to bottom right with good ambient, good seperation and most importantly correct music speed/phase. It seems gZero cables finally fulfil what I am looking for after so many trials.

And also it is very neutral and less forward. So it the first I can better judge my system's sound and performance, and easier for me to change components to find better synergy.

Since Wiliwonka able to describe the KLE cables so clearly about dynamic distribution, tone, harshness, phase and separation, that is what drives me to buy KLE cables to try out.

So he was a big help for me to choose this cable.

I also tried the cable for spdif and indeed it worked very well, which I think as good as the ar-t spdif cable that I think highly of.

Again, Wili thank you and you the man.
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