Interconnect shootout - Kondo LPz & VD Revelation II & Neotech Amazon

大力佬

Being a die hard audiophile, satisfaction with the current setup at any point in time, is just temporary. Similar to most C-Hing, if not all, no matter how contended you are with the combinations of source, amplifier and speakers, one will be very unrest (or in a better way describing the feeling – itchy) in trying to exploit the full potential of the gears while pursuing the best sound for our ears.  What makes it more fun, is that, the best sound varies among different individuals.  As such, this is such a tiring exercise full of enjoyment and pain.

Changing any item in the hifi rack is not an easy task especially that we may not be able to get the approval from our Chief at Home.  Thus, following the footsteps of most of the C-Hing (except the lucky few who are not married or have a separate hifi playground), changing small items, such as tubes, cables and power distributor, which normally quite unnoticeable in the eyes of the Chief at home, is perfect.  Amongst all, swapping (or the better word “smuggling”) cables is certainly a good way to tune (or tweak) our gears, which drives the turnover witnessed in the second hand market.

大力佬

Like most starter, I question the effect of cables and certainly want to spent as little as possible.  Well, hearing is believing, it is not difficult to discover that cable is not just cable, they are as important as any part of our system and they are like veins/arteries and nerves in our body, bringing nutrition and information respectively, across all part of our gears.

After some tiring pursuit and settled down for a few years, I “thought” I have settled with an excellent match of copper & silver cables, and “believed” that I have exploited the full potential of my system. Though they are not the most expensive one, they are certainly not something that I can buy without a blink.  Undoubtedly, I have tried some very renowned cables with similar prices, I still revert back to my current setup – connecting my Esoteric D-03 to the Rogue Hera II pre-amp, is my reference copper cable Virtual Dynamics Revelation II while my favourite silver cable Kondo LPz is responsible for linking up with the YS-Audio Reference Power amp.  Balancing the copper and silver cable, the VD Revelation II gives me liquid and concrete sound, full with details, dense mids and well-controlled bass, while the Kondo Lpz gives me the music with addictive highs with superb micro-dynamics.  Yes, I am so satisfied with and really enjoying the familiar tone, sounds stage everytime I turn on the system.

大力佬

Indeed, participating and reading various commentaries and forum has proved to be an expensive (or deadly) exercise.  Well, isn't it sounds familiar?  When you are so familiar with the sound, you get itchy and wondering what will the system sound when I added another silver cable or copper cable to it.  I am sure most of us have the experience that some silver cable make the treble sounds too outstanding and bright while the bass becomes timid.  In the contrary, copper cable may sounds too thick and dense, emphasizing too much on the lower end of the sound spectrum, the highs become so lay back that the music becomes a bit dull.

Having exchanged opinion with various c-hings, I have decided to try the Neotech Amazon.  With the rising commodities prices, you won't be surprised if you can sell your cable at a little discount to your original purchase price after years of enjoyment, especially if they are good and popular.  If you follow the 2nd hand market close enough, you will find the Kondo LPz especially so, while the VD prices collapsed and it is a shame that the factory closed down.  After giving the Amazon around 200 hours of burning-in using my Audiodharma cable cooker, the first thing to do is to swap it with my Revelation II.  Swapping cable is a very tiring job, and it is 10 times more difficult with respect to VD cables – they are so heavy and extremely stiff, you probably need to do some weigh training.  On the other hand, relatively light and certainly much more flexible, administering the Neotech Amazon is just like snapping your fingers.

大力佬

Trying with my favourite CDs, ranging from vocals, jazz, drums, guitar, violins, pianos and orchestra, I am not surprise at all to hear the typical sound character of silver cable - a slight increase in speed, the harmonics of the highs lingering a bit longer with a tint more detail background music, resulting with more air to the music.  Sound stage expanded by pushing a bit to the side while vocals with a tint less forward, throat sound is more vivid, fluid and smooth.  While micro-dynamics has further improved, giving more texture to the highs, what surprise me is bass is not lean at all, in fact, it is more well controlled and instrument sounds a bit more focus with better clarity.  A very well balanced cable, didn't sound bright nor lean, I can't wait to hear the difference with my favourite Kondo.  The Kondo is probably the most flexible and soft cable, it can fit in any corner without any concern of accidentally twisting it which may affect the sound quality.  

大力佬

In order to compare the Kondo with the Amazon, I have to put my very stiff VD Revelation II back between the source and the Hera II.  Comparing the sound of the Kondo LPz and the Amazon, the Kondo sounds a bit more refine while the Amazon gives you all the details you want.  With the Amazon, there is a slight expansion of the sound stage, bass certainly sounds bit more solid but vocals are a bit less sweet.  The Amazon is very well balanced, with the ability to show you all the details and clarity in the recordings while the Kondo LPz gives you the fluidity in the mid, with better micro-dynamics, which is still unbeatable – I call it the MSG cable, when you are so used to having MSG in your dishes, it is difficult for me to go without it.

For now, I am contended and settled down with the couple - Neotech Amazon with Kondo LPz.  While trying to upload the photos, I failed in the first two attempts due to large file size.  Will try to share some photos later.

Lastly, please allow me to caveat that this is only my two cents and please don't shoot if you disagree with me and afterall, this is a subjective exercise!

Happy listening!

ultramanzero

Nice article!
Silver cable has it's own character which general copper cable is not easy to achieve.
Most people think Silver cable sounds bright and lack of bass, this is totally wrong.
Ocellia cable is a very good example.

supercow

Very good report. I am also looking for wire world, neotech, kondo or argento interconnect

CKKeung

Neotech Amazon & Sahara are underrated good stuff!

chowhwk

大力佬 發表於 2012-7-2 10:39
In order to compare the Kondo with the Amazon, I have to put my very stiff VD Revelation II back bet ...

謝謝你中肯的報告。

Neotech 聽許多朋友講都是有料到。

大力佬

c:\interconnect shootout\IMG_2768.jpg

大力佬

Thanks all for the comment.  

Reading loads of very good comment on both the wireworld cable and ocellia cables sometime later.  With respect to Argento, it is a fantastic cable with warm and thick sound, though it sounds a bit slow and too emphasis on the mid in my system.

I have to agree that the Amazon is of great value, a strong contesant against all well known brand, a well balanced cable, giving all you need for a silver cable on the airy highs, fast and detail sound with very good bass.

大力佬

Thanks all for the comment.  

Reading loads of very good comment on both the wireworld cable and ocellia cables sometime later.  With respect to Argento, it is a fantastic cable with warm and thick sound, though it sounds a bit slow and too emphasis on the mid in my system.

I have to agree that the Amazon is of great value, a strong contesant against all well known brand, a well balanced cable, giving all you need for a silver cable on the airy highs, fast and detail sound with very good bass.

大力佬

Thanks to Nelson of YS-Audio, here comes the photos.

raylau633

Heartful sharing!