Kimber Kable - Naked Cables

I had a chance to talk to a Kimber rep where these were being auditioned.  They explained to me that these were designed and built primarily for the Chinese market.  That market wants and will pay for product features that greatly elevate the price of the product without increasing its performance.  That lines' flashier looks with the actual crystal appeals to that market.

One gets the impression reading the marketing blurb, especially with finleyville's comments, that they are far more about being jewellery with all the right "boxes" checked, than anything else.  Naked?  - check, Cotton - check, Crystals - check, Gold-Plated - check.

Even their marketing is somewhat misleading like this statement. Cotton at 1.3-1.4 is the Google value, and is based on a particular density, and being absolutely dry. Foamed polyethylene is 1.6, foamed polypropylene can get to 1.25, and both are far more moisture immune.  Cotton's dielectric constant changes so much with moisture that this property is used in textile processing for quality control.

Why cotton?

Cotton possesses excellent dielectric properties in respect to signal fidelity. This parameter is commonly referred to as the dielectric constant. Cotton has a value of 1.3 (1 is the ideal) 2-5 are the common values for most insulating polymers. For example Fluorocarbon has a value of 2.1 and Polyethylene a value of 2.25.

First pro review is out!
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1220/Kimber_Kable_Naked_Interconnects_Review.ht...

“The Naked interconnects represent an impressive leap in cabling technology. This translates into an audio connection that is highly revealing and adds no coloration to the music. As a reviewer, I appreciate their complete neutrality. As a music lover, I enjoy how they get me closer to the music. Come on in everyone, the water is great. It's awesome to go Naked”.

Funny coincidence – I've just received my first stand-alone DAC, and am just beginning to wade into the digital cable water. A local dealer gave me a couple of cables to borrow, including a Kimber Select 2120, and it sounds superb. It also retails for ~$1800, and even with the discount it is far more than I was expecting to spend. So, while a drop in the bucket relative to the subject cable, I'm still torn!

Law of diminishing returns, I suppose, but I certainly can't see myself ever owning a five-figure interconnect.

@whipsaw,

Thank you for your post. I hear you on laws of diminishing returns. I think Kimber KS-1026 is their sweet spot, not inexpensive but still reasonable when compared with competition. When I held the Naked IC in my hands, I couldn’t help feeling this rush to take them home and try them in my system. They were simply gorgeous and if I may say, a work of art.

Let’s see what would be the next cable in Naked series. I am torn between Wenge or Purple Heart Balanced connectors :-)

https://www.kimber.com/customize/naked

What wood veneer is your Harbeth M30.1?