WINTER	2002

2002 ushers in a plethora of new and exciting gear to the world of audio/video. Just back from the Winter Consumer Electronics Show with the low-down on the latest and greatest goodies (sure to make any audiophiles’ heart race with glee!). Sit back, relax for a few minutes, and take a tour of the show with me.

NEW STUFF

JPS LABS: I just had to stop by the JPS Labs booth to tell Joe Skubinski about my trials and tribulations with his new interconnect, the FX.

Several months back, JPS replaced their wildly popular Superconductor+ interconnects with the new FX. My initial impressions of the FX suggested the cable met its initial design goal of increased flexibility (FX uses stranded, rather than the solid conductors found in the Super+), but was not much better sonically. I was wrong.

After only a brief audition, and with little break-in, I reached my conclusion and pressed the cable into use in our home theater setup. The cable performed admirably there, but frankly, the application is simply not as demanding as music reproduction. Since music is rarely played in that venue, I noticed little change from the Super+ we’d been using. Months passed before I was to re-encounter the FX.

Fortunately, I had occasion to borrow the FX from the theater for use in one of our music rooms. The second listen revealed very different and surprising results. On re-evaluation I discovered all the wonderful attributes I’d been missing. The FX is a truly superb cable, and indeed surpasses the performance of the Super+.

In the FX I heard the incredibly silent background that we’ve come to expect from JPS. I thought nothing could touch the Super+ in this department, but the FX succeeds mightily, actually besting the Super+. According to Joe, the unique fully shielded, twisted quad construction, results in a noise rejection rating in excess of –105dB, making it the quietest cable in the industry.

Yeah, the cable is, quiet, so what? In-and-of itself, that isn't reason enough to buy this (or any) cable. But wait, there is more. Much more. Here you’ll find a tonally neutral perspective, with excellent resolution and a wide dynamic envelope. Furthermore, the FX is a sound staging champ – terrific width and depth and superb focus and stability.

No question, the JPS FX is a really good cable at most any price. But at $299.00 (1M, RCA), I’d have to call it a raging, jump up and down, howl at the moon bargain!

Finally, someone has designed a wire to replace the crummy Romex that feeds electricity to the majority of our systems! The JPS Power AC In-wall, is a large 10 AWG, 3 conductor cable similar to the Company’s Power AC cord, but one size lower in gauge, and with a red exterior. This new cable is UL rated for in-wall use (the only audiophile AC cable I'm aware of with such ratings), and was designed to deliver power to a room or system while rejecting noise and allowing instantaneous current flow.

I’ve only sold a small amount of the Power AC In-Wall thus far, but the reports so far are very positive. A definite upgrade to any commercially available cable for 120/240 VAC wiring! Retail price is $18.00 per foot, or $59.00 per meter. (Read more about this product in the recent review in Stereophile magazine). http://www.jpslabs.com/

SHUNYATA: Whoa, the serpentines have been multiplying at Shunyata! Here is the rundown.

Taipan: A clear extruded jacketing gives the Taipan a unique and striking appearance while highlighting the massive 10 gauge, individually shielded, conductors within. Indeed, every part of the Taipan was fashioned to designer Caelin Gabriel’s exacting specifications. Even the connectors at both ends of the cable were custom made by Hubbell to Shunyata specifications using no carbon or ferrous material. Solid brass contacts are used on the wall plug, rhodium plated silver on the IEC. $649.00

Though I’ve not heard the Taipan in my system yet (cables should be here by the time you read this), the sweet sounds heard in systems employing the Taipan at CES suggest this is one to watch. Shunyata’s Grant Samuelson describes the Taipan as lightning fast with remarkable clarity and articulation.

Diamondback: For those who have lusted after Shunyata cables, but found the prices daunting, take heart, your ticket to sonic nirvana has arrived! At just $149.00 the new Diamondback promises performance previously found only in the high rent district.A Shunyata design from tip to tip, the Diamondback may be modestly priced, but is a totally custom made cable using quality materials. Cryogenically treated high purity copper is drawn and bundled in a proprietary geometry to form 12 gauge conductors, which are then fully shielded. Custom molded connectors use copper plated solid brass pins, which receive triple gold plating.  If the sound quality is only half as good as the list of materials suggest, the Diamondback should be a killer value!

Interconnects & Speaker Cables: The Gabriel’s have previously teased us with tales of Shunyata interconnects and speaker cables. Though we’ll have to wait a bit longer to sample their abilities in this arena, final pre-production samples were piping music to the demo system in their suite, which gives us hope the real thing will be appearing shortly. I understand final packaging issues are the only impediments to release, so (barring any unforeseen issues) we should expect to see the speaker cables in late February, with interconnects following about a month behind.

Here is what we know so far. The speaker cable employs a complex patented geometry designed to reduce the negative effects of ambient electrostatic fields (the details of this theory far exceed my rudimentary understanding of the principles, but a white paper is forthcoming that will explain the details to the more technically astute among you). Caelin describes the sound of the cable as exceptionally time coherent, very clean, open and airy. Price to be determined.

I could squeeze little information from “Mr. Shunyata” about the interconnects. I can tell you it uses un-insulated, fiber-wrapped litz conductors and that there will be an optional external module (which can be purchased with the cable or added later), which employs technology found in the Hydra. Price is expected to be under $500.00 for a 1M pair; the module should also cost less than $400.00.

Many suites at CES were using Shunyata power products. A partial listing of those who use Shunyata products in their own systems or at shows include: Audio Research, Altis Audio, Art Audio, Arcici, Balanced Audio Technology, Dodson Audio, Jason Scott Distributing (Electrocompaniet), McCormack Audio, On a Higher Note (distributor for Halcro), Sonic Signatures Distributing, Talon Audio, Edge Electronics, Immedia, Impact Technology, Plinius, Madrigal, MIB Vistek Aurios, Wisdom Audio, and Larry Israel, formerly of Zoethecus. There are also Shunyata cable products and Hydras under evaluation at Conrad Johnson, Jeff Rowland Design and Wilson. A number of noted reviewers have also adopted Shunyata products for their personal systems. Add your name to the growing list of satisfied users; call me today for an audition! 

CARDAS: Several new introductions here. Cardas XLR Caps join their RCA counterparts, and are designed to fit over unused XLR connectors, eliminating EMI and RF noise absorption. They are non-shorting and completely cover the XLR's opening with a solid shield of nickel and brass to prevent EMI and RFI from entering the chassis through the dielectric. This noise can create havoc with digital processing and software. Cardas caps also protect XLR's from dust and corrosion. Sold in sets of two, either male or female.

The CPTP Converter Box allows owners of Naim electronics to use traditional RCA terminated cables.
Cardas now offers custom made  RCA to XLR adapters. They feature Rhodium and Silver contact surfaces.

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