Ok folks, I'm home again. That means I get to play with my car. Over the last 6 weeks, I have brought up numurous tests that I'd be performing with my system. Testing different kinds of cable is the plan today.

NOTE: Not everyone has the ears, or a system capable of resolving the details to make cable comparison. Damaged hearing, and distortion are great masks of a cable's sonic signature. For those that can appreciate the difference that good cables make, read on. For those that think I'm nuts...read on and learn something.

Cable Test part 1

First I'm going to list the equipment used, and how I'm going to do the test.

Deck: Alpine DVA-7996
EQ: Audio Control DQX
Amp: Audison VRx2.400
Front Stage: Focal Utopia 165W3

Interconnect
1.) Monster Cable XLN-Pro
2.) Purist Audio Design Elementa
3.) Purist Audio Design Colosus (BIG $$$$$)
4.) Kimber Cable PURE SILVER KCAG(Really Big $$$$$)

Speaker Cable
1.) Monster Cable M10.2
2.) Purist Audio Design Colosus
3.) Kimber Cable PURE SILVER (8 conductor)

All of my tests will be with just the Focal Utopia 4" midrange driven off of the VRx.2400. A full range signal will be fed to the driver for simplicity. (there will be no passive X.O. for all the tests)

I will start with the Monster M10.2 speaker wire hooked up, and test all of the interconnects between the head unit and amp.
The second part of the test will be using XLN PRO interconnect, and testing all of the speaker cables between the amp and the 4" driver.

The 3rd part of the test will be a mix and match session trying different combinations of the above listed wire.

I will list my impressions of each wire after I've completed the tests. (Maybe tomorow)

People will notice that I've listed a DQX. I'm also going to try introducing this into the signal path (without any EQ adjustments) to judge it's sonic character. In other words, how much does it degrade the signal?

I've got lots more planned, so stay tuned.

RTA work will start in the spring. My Dad is in the Carolinas for the winter, and he's got the RTA gear with him.

RTA work will include driver responses to different mounting locations, (Ie: Kick mounted or A-pillar mounted tweeters) X.O. point comparisons for smooth response, subwoofer response using a Bag End ELF-1 processor, and general system EQ adustment results.

A big part of the RTA work will be used to show driver loading methods. For example, AP loading a midbass driver in a door, changing enclosure volume behind a midrange, or various accoustic dampening material applications. And that's just what is behind the driver....

Then of course there is dampening for near field reflections, and cabinet/panel resonances.

It's going to be a fun season.

Adam

Adam, it will be very interesting to see what differences you can hear between the various cables.

Prediction-Adam will like the monsters and the purists best and he will use the elementa ;)

I used 'The Cable Company' and it is amazing the similarity and differences between cables

Adam check out the big Tara labs stuff... very neutral, wonderful lack of sound!

ADAM get a hold of me and I can lend you my Wireworld Atlantis III+ (they are 4 Meters) nice neutral wire for not a lot of scratch.

Thanks for the offer JohnVroom, but I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible. The point of the test is to see where the wire that I'm actually using now stands versus really high end product. Besides, the PAD cables are HUGE, they wouldn't be able to fit beneath the carpet.

I knew you 2 would be interested! Shoot me an email and I can send you some pics.

Oh, and I just got an email from my Audison guy. There is a really special amp being released shortly. That's all I can say...

Adam

very interested in the results, should make for some great reading

As am I [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Interesting Reading or Amusement [img]smile.gif[/img]

I wanna see too [img]graemlins/wavey.gif[/img]

I would like pics as well...

I'm gonna call bull**** right now ..........that's the same lame excuse so called audiphiles always use when others can't hear what they do [img]smile.gif[/img]

Yes I have pics, it is possible that there will be NO difference, and I can't prove to anyone. It's all subjective folks...