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Review 3 of 4
Price Paid:
$125.00
from Crystal Clear Audio Summary: I've been in audio for 50 years, 10 of those as a high-end loudspeaker manufacturer. All I can say is, "I love these interconnects. Crystal clear is to cables what BMW is to cars--sound for sound, it is the best value, the most balanced performer, and all in all, the finest sounding interconnect I've ever heard. In direct A-B comparison(which Mel of Crystal Clear urges owners to make)between a $125 older version Crystal Standard and Synergistic Research's $1000 active shielding Resolution Research and $2000 active shielding Designer Reference (CDs and SACDs, jazz and classical, vocal and instrumental) played over a Sony SCD 777ES, vtl amp and preamp and PSB Silver i speakers, the cables were so close we got them confused and ended up generally preferring the Crystal Standard. That tells you that Mel's multi-stepped "tuning" of the solid silver wire does in fact lower capacitance and resistance and does act to add added noise suppression. Otherwise the active shielding Synergistic Research cables would have been discernibley quieter. They weren't or we wouldn't have gotten confused. Mel tells me his secret, time consuming tuning treatment also balances the signal. and it seems to. The Crystal Standard had better imaging, a wider soundstage, was clearer and more open, and was smoother, warmer and more musical. Finally this $125 (0.5 meter)interconnect was as quiet! Amazing!!! Strengths: Unbelievable, unbeatable value. Transparency. Wides soundstage. Excellent imaging. Wide soundstage. Balanced, linear sound. Warm, full-bodied and superbly musical. Weaknesses: None. Not a one. Similar Products Used: Kimber, MIT 330 Series II Terminator, Synergistic Research active shielding Resolution Research and active shielding Designer Reference
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