Price Paid:  $116.00 from Duratone Hi-Fi

Summary:
The cable has a very flat response, very well defined bass, and a natural three dimensional sound stage. As the frequency increases however from mid range and up the sound becomes harsh and too vivid. There is a warmness to the mid range that is also missing.

All the problems can be fixed by altering the cable connections. The cable has a definite direction and should be connected with the writing "van den Hul D-102 III" going from the amplifier back to the music source (CD phono preamp etc). I connected the yellow wire to signal and the white wire to ground. The shield should also NOT be connected on either end if an RCA connector (none XLR) is to be used. The shield will float to a potential signal midway between the two inner conductors and you have a perfectly balance audio cable with no signal in the shield.

The shield can effect the the music signal if it is connected at one end (given you are using RCA unbalanced connectors). The reason why is the mid and high frequency music signals travel mostly in the cable insulation dielectric material between the conductors (transmission line). Since the ground is connected to two wires, shield and inner wire, the signal will travel through using both conductors.

The difference in the sound from the cable is amazing. The mid range is now very natural and warm. The highs have lost their edginess and harshness. The sound stage really opens up and the speakers disappear. The cable now shows its true colours.

Strengths:
All good, bass, mid, highs, sound stage etc if you refit the cable on the RCAs as described.

Weaknesses:
Mid range and up sounds harsh and too vivid however it can be fixed with a cable rewire.

Similar Products Used:
25 year old QED original black interconnect cable (much better than the new QED cables)

Price Paid:  $116.00 from Duratone Hi-Fi

Summary:
The cable has a very flat response, very well defined bass, and a natural three dimensional sound stage. As the frequency increases however from mid range and up the sound becomes harsh and too vivid. There is a warmness to the mid range that is also missing.

All the problems can be fixed by altering the cable connections. The cable has a definite direction and should be connected with the writing "van den Hul D-102 III" going from the amplifier back to the music source (CD phono preamp etc). I connected the yellow wire to signal and the white wire to ground. The shield should also NOT be connected on either end if an RCA connector (none XLR) is to be used. The shield will float to a potential signal midway between the two inner conductors and you have a perfectly balance audio cable with no signal in the shield.

The shield can effect the the music signal if it is connected at one end (given you are using RCA unbalanced connectors). The reason why is the mid and high frequency music signals travel mostly in the cable insulation dielectric material between the conductors (transmission line). Since the ground is connected to two wires, shield and inner wire, the signal will travel through using both conductors.

The difference in the sound from the cable is amazing. The mid range is now very natural and warm. The highs have lost their edginess and harshness. The sound stage really opens up and the speakers disappear. The cable now shows its true colours.

Strengths:
All good, bass, mid, highs, sound stage etc if you refit the cable on the RCAs as described.

Weaknesses:
Mid range and up the sound harsh and too vivid, fixed with a cable rewire.

Similar Products Used:
25 year old QED original black interconnect cable (much better than the new QED cables)

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Online

Summary:
Equipment used:

Myryad Z110 CD Player
Musical Fidelity A3.2 Integrated Amplifier
QED Silver Anniversary Biwire
Image 414 (NZ made cabs/Morel drivers)

I had been using Monster ICs until I purchased the VDHs.

After burn in I immediately noticed a sense of 'rightness' about the sound. Much like when I replaced my NAD C372 with the Musical Fidelity amp, it was hard to put a finger on exactly what was different.... it just seemed more 'real' and natrually musical.

I sugges that some of the people who say the ICs are too bright should have a good look at their other components as this cable is a perfect match for my system.

Strengths:
Musicality. **Realistic** bass and treble extension.

Weaknesses:
None at this price. But perhaps slightly warm in nature.

Similar Products Used:
Monster 550i & 850i, Slinkylinks.

Price Paid:  $100.00 from hi fi cables.co.uk

Summary:
Read the reviews and tried it. I had some reasonable cables (Ixos) before and broke one of the connectors so thought it was time. Really wasn't expecting to see much but wow. The cables give music a bit of a warm sound (use with a excitable Marantz CD player) but the sound can be 'in your face when required'. I have found that with the new cables I want to listen to my music all over again as you can hear subtle sounds that just were'nt there before.
There is no doubting the build quality and with bright yellow shrouding and gold connectors you can easily trace the cable. Some help would be appreciated with the labelling.
Buy with confidence to realise your music again

Strengths:
Price, sound, construction quality

Weaknesses:
Probably not best suited for agressive dance music, gives almost a valve amp sound to CD's

Price Paid:  $150.00

Summary:
This is a 3mx2 XLR cable that connects threshold FET-10e and meridian 557. I found D102mkIII is very clean sound and well balanced. It isn't a magic cable that would change your sound dramatically. Just simply everything is getting better. Detail, soundstage, smoothness, and bass control are top quality. My system sounds more real than before.

Strengths:
excellent sound, affordable price

Similar Products Used:
tara labs, siltech, qed, canare