Price Paid:  $0.00 from Interlink House

Summary:
I would like to start by saying that a lot of things in the high end audio world is pretty subjective and will always depend on your personal wants, needs and tastes. That being said I want to give you some "objective background on my ears": I am an opera tenor... that is only to back up my main statement for this review, so I guess and certainly hope I know how the real thing works, sounds and feels. I think that gives to my ears some privileges amongst others'. "These ones really sound close to the real thing" Interlink house is not a marketing company, Serguei knows knows what he is doing. His customers don't have to pay advertising and promotion charges so they' are priced fair. Thx so much for your time.

Strengths:
Delicacy, Truth of timbre, Transperency, Detail, Truth on spatial information, GREAT!!!

Weaknesses:
none for my ears at this price range.

Similar Products Used:
Nordost, Kimber, Siltech.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from interlink house

Summary:
having spent close to two years comparing, buying, trading, selling and swapping numerous interconnects, the pgs-xl is singularly the best i have heard. besting my previous favorite, siltech sq88, in every way. a large and well defined soundstage with air to spare in both depth and width. incredible dyamics, detail and a deleriously perfect pace. no listener fatigue in these cables at all, just pure music. i've always been dubious about the word "neutral", but these cables bring my system to that point. sweet, extended highs and deep controlled bass with no rolloff or grittiness (i am particularly sensitive to bright hi ends). in the midrange these cables shine even more with micro and macro dynamics and detail that make the music come alive! (to quote my wife from the living room: "those guys sound like they're actually singing right in the next room! keep those cables!" so what if she's been trying to get me to stop my audio insanity...i think she was being honest.. don't you?.... i had been waiting for that "wow" experience. auditioning some cables i had loaned a friend at his house (az matrix ref), i had that experience with his system...it came alive! i was happy for him, but,...o.k. jealous. siltech had proven a good match for my plinius, but no hair standing on end rush. i got the pgs and it was intriguing in it's rhythm, pace and involving midrange. i took the chance on the upgrade (even though half price new) to the xl and, well ...."WOW!!". hairs on end. goofy smile. all of the above is true and more. i could continue to wax poetic, but suffice it to say: this is the best cable i have heard. period. by a long shot. my search is at an end and i don't miss it! i will be trying all steaalth products throughout my system (below, with present pc's in parentheses). thanks, serguei! my system: plinius 8200 (bmi whale/ empirical audio magnum2) -> stealth pgs-xl->cary 303/200->(cpcc top gun/esp essence)->ap oval nines->dynaudio contour 2.8's. also sota moonbeam with sumiko the pearl and audioprism powerfoundation II.

Strengths:
soundstage, dynamics, extension, detail, pace and a wonderous sense of musical involvement.

Weaknesses:
can't think of any. (love is blind). a little pricey, but a hell of a lot for your money so it's a 5 for value anyway.

Similar Products Used:
siltech sq56 and 88, luminous audio synchestra signature, tg audio hsr2, empirical audio holophonic pc, analysis plus solo crystal, harmonic tech prosilway II and truthinks, acoustic zen wow and matri

Price Paid:  $900.00 from Interlink House

Summary:
I have had the opportunity to own cables from a variety of manufacturers. Previous to my PGS XL purchase I had found that Cardas interconnect cables, particularly the Hexlink Golden 5C and the Golden Cross, were the interconnect cables that worked best in my system. I found the Golden Reference to be a little forward in comparison to the other Cardas cables that I seemed to prefer. Anyway, I had seen a number of positive remarks and reviews on the Internet audio sites about Stealth PGS cables and decided to give them a try. They were around the same price that the Golden Reference and the manufacturer offered a 30 day, no questions asked, return policy. Serguei, the Stealth cable manufacturer, told me that he had a new version of the original of the PGS, the PGS XL. He said a number of reasons why it was better than the original. I decided to give it a try. I needed to replace a balanced interconnect between CD Player and Preamp because the preamp was placed in a different spot in my audio rack and the half meter cable that I had was too short to reach the CD Player. WOW!!!!! This is not to take away from the Cardas Golden Cross at all. It is still my second favorite interconnect and, in my opinion, is much better than previously owned MIT, Harmonic Tech, and Straightwire cables. The Stealth PGS XL was clearly better in every way. Greater resolution, individual instruments were separated as they are in live musical performance, deep soundstage, strong tuneful bass response, great dynamics, and a very smooth top end performance. I liked the cable so much that I ordered another pair, this time single ended, for between my preamp and tuner. I suggest that if you are in the market for a high end interconnect that you would make a wise decision by trying the Stealth PGS XL in your system. It has become the interconnect of choice in mine. I hope that soon I will be able to replace all of my interconects with PGS XL. I guess that I will have to start saving now.

Strengths:
Great Dynamics. Strong Bass Response. Huge Soundstage. Sweet Midrange. A Great Interconnect.

Weaknesses:
None aside from cost.

Similar Products Used:
Cardas Golden Reference Cardas Golden Cross Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C

Price Paid:  $900.00 from Stealth Cable

Summary:
I have been an early user of the original PGS cable. I used the balanced XLR version. On a digital source, PGS was totally marvelous, musical, and had a very unique 'organic quality' (see my review posted in Stealth web site). But I prefer using the M21 silver with my phono stage. Nonetheless, I have an opportunity to try the latest PGS-XL from Stealth. Compare to the original PGS, the XL version has a lower retail tag due to improved manufacturing. I had an RCA to RAC cable terminated with Cardas RCA. I broke it in for 72 hours using PAD and running it off a CD player in repeat mode. My friend was over and he brought in his Helikon cartridge. We setup the Helikon and compared to my Koetsu. We both felt the Helikon sounded too plain. Very resolving, nice soundstage, but lacked the body blood and soul. In a colored system, the Helikon may be a fresh breeze, but in my (perfectly neutral), the Helikon just didn't compare well with Koetsu Urushi on the other table. Anyway, I said maybe the new PGS-XL (RCA) would be an interesting blend. Indeed, with PGS-XL (RCA) cable between Tom Evans Groove and the BAT Vk5SE preamp, the sound has dramatically improved. The Helikon now sounds towards the Koetsu, yet retaining the resolution. It is still cool and neutral, but now with more warmth and more body. The new PGS-XL also brings out a lot more subtle details, especially it allows hearing deep into soundstage to pick out the fine detail. Just for the sake, we switched back the turntable to the one with Koetsu Urushi, still keeping the Tom Evans Groove and the same new PGS-XL RCA. Well, with the Koetsu, the PGS-XL did not sound colored at all, but now the fine musical Koetsu sounds even better! I try to think this is the MSG effect, but it is not really. I do not hear any thickening, or coloration. It is very neutral, but the texture is just beautiful. The strings are full of emotion, yet the clarity and the bass and the extension clearly prove that the new PGS-XL design is in a class of its own.

Strengths:
Gives up little to the ultimate PGS-3D, at almost 40% less money.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Stealth PGS, PGS-3D, M21. I totally dump all other mega-brand name cable after I discovered Stealth, at every price point, I can find appropriate Stealth cable to suit my need.