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HiFi Audio Equipment Discussion / Re: Neutral Cable Reference I Road Tour
« on: June 30, 2017, 12:27:10 AM »
Thank you watchdog and Neutral Cable for making this review possible!
The setup:
Speakers: Goldenear Triton One; Power Amp: Cary Audio SA200.2; Preamp/DAC: Totaldac D1 Dual; Source: Melco N1A; Conditioner: Plixir Elite 3000; Power Cables: Synergistic Research Black (wall to conditioner), TWL Obsession (to source), Sablon Corona Reserva (to preamp/DAC), Zonotone Shupreme (to power amp), DH Labs Red Wave (wall to speakers); IC: Audience Au24-SX XLR, JCat Reference USB; Speakers Cable: Audience Au24-SX speakers cables
Impressions and Comparison:
Neutral Cable Reference I USB is well constructed and fairly flexible. I am comparing it to the JCat Reference USB Cable in my setup.
First impression was that the Neutral Cable sounded vivid, clear, detailed and had a quiet background. These qualities are to be expected from a TOTL USB cable. It was overall a bit louder than the JCat Ref. Therefore, to be fair, I used a sound meter to help adjust the volume to the same loudness for the comparison.
The Neutral Ref had good details. Upon hearing the first time, it was as if the background details were louder than those on the JCat Ref. Subsequent listening showed that the Neutral Ref presents details in the background of the music in a more forward manner. The Neutral Ref's presentation on the whole was slightly more forward than the JCat Ref.
The high frequencies of the Neutral Ref was smooth and extended, never harsh or overly bright. Music with trumpets, xylophones, violins etc was nice to listen to. However, it had less bite in the high frequency than the JCat Ref. The mid range and vocal range were smooth and the instruments and vocals were natural sounding to my ears. The separation of the instruments and vocals were good but I find the JCat to be slightly better. The Neutral Ref did have a deeper bass than the JCat Ref, but the bass was not as tight.
Very often, setup matching and personal music preference greatly influence the listener's perception of which equipment or cable helps to produce a more preferred music. Whenever possible do audition the equipment or cables in your own setup to really hear what it can do. Therefore, if you are looking for a TOTL USB cable, the Neutral Ref is definitely one to be be added into your "to audition" list.
The setup:
Speakers: Goldenear Triton One; Power Amp: Cary Audio SA200.2; Preamp/DAC: Totaldac D1 Dual; Source: Melco N1A; Conditioner: Plixir Elite 3000; Power Cables: Synergistic Research Black (wall to conditioner), TWL Obsession (to source), Sablon Corona Reserva (to preamp/DAC), Zonotone Shupreme (to power amp), DH Labs Red Wave (wall to speakers); IC: Audience Au24-SX XLR, JCat Reference USB; Speakers Cable: Audience Au24-SX speakers cables
Impressions and Comparison:
Neutral Cable Reference I USB is well constructed and fairly flexible. I am comparing it to the JCat Reference USB Cable in my setup.
First impression was that the Neutral Cable sounded vivid, clear, detailed and had a quiet background. These qualities are to be expected from a TOTL USB cable. It was overall a bit louder than the JCat Ref. Therefore, to be fair, I used a sound meter to help adjust the volume to the same loudness for the comparison.
The Neutral Ref had good details. Upon hearing the first time, it was as if the background details were louder than those on the JCat Ref. Subsequent listening showed that the Neutral Ref presents details in the background of the music in a more forward manner. The Neutral Ref's presentation on the whole was slightly more forward than the JCat Ref.
The high frequencies of the Neutral Ref was smooth and extended, never harsh or overly bright. Music with trumpets, xylophones, violins etc was nice to listen to. However, it had less bite in the high frequency than the JCat Ref. The mid range and vocal range were smooth and the instruments and vocals were natural sounding to my ears. The separation of the instruments and vocals were good but I find the JCat to be slightly better. The Neutral Ref did have a deeper bass than the JCat Ref, but the bass was not as tight.
Very often, setup matching and personal music preference greatly influence the listener's perception of which equipment or cable helps to produce a more preferred music. Whenever possible do audition the equipment or cables in your own setup to really hear what it can do. Therefore, if you are looking for a TOTL USB cable, the Neutral Ref is definitely one to be be added into your "to audition" list.