My source is a modded Marantz CD-63 SE, into a Rotel 05SE -> TQ Black cable-> Proac Tablette Anniversary speakers + BK Gemini sub.

 

Also tested using Sony BD-380 playing 320K MP3s via USB

 

I tested with various tracks, mostly jazz / classical with some general pop/rock thrown in.

 

My 'test case' was the re-issue of Moanin by Art Blakey - that has some mumbled conversation at the beginning that a lesser cable can't unravel, and some very harsh trumpet that is ear-bleedingly painful if not tamed.

 

As might be expected, the gap between the Lautus and the other cable closed compared to my sub-£70 cables.  I would say in terms of detail retrieval, there was nothing much in it, and maybe the other cable had a slight advantage in terms of how it handled the human voice.

 

However, the Lautus really excelled in how it handled bass and mids - strong, deep and very, very clear, unlike anything else I have heard to date, textures are very rich in detail and tone.

 

Also, you don't get any feeling of agitation - the background is deathly silent, and you can turn up the volume to a much higher degree without worry. Quite a plus point when listening to orchestral music.

 

Both cables made sense and controlled the test CD, and at their respective price points, provide excellent value for money.

 

When listening to MP3s, again the Lautus edged ahead, probably even more than through the CD player. It really smooths out the rough edges, but not at the expense of detail.

 

Personally, I would stump up the extra to get the Lautus - and will do so once I save up the funds !

 

 

I'm just playing my CD of (well, rip of) Moanin' - quite an old one, so probably not the remastered version - on my study system, which is GSP cable-free at the moment  - and, yes Lee Morgan's trumpet does have an, er, "edge" to it: will need to try it on the living room kit, which is all GSP'd up to compare . . 

Check out track three in particular (or might be track two, depending on the breakdown) - the opening bars are painful on many I system I have tried. It's been mentioned the re-master is brighter, possibly due to the producers poor hearing  (!)

 

Chord Chameleon plus could also tame it, but at the cost of losing a lot of bass, but still better than not using it.

 

I really don't want cables to make a difference - but they do, oh yes, they do. Thanks goodness for the loan programme, because it can be very expensive to find out just what works for you.

 

Graham - bring out a power chord and spare us.

But, yes - signal cables DO make a difference . . . 

 

Amplifiers seem a trickier proposition. I haven't come a across a cable yet that actually improves sound, as opposed to just changing it, mostly for the worst.

 

What I can say for sure is that plugging into an average extender does make a noticeable downgrade in terms of dynamics. I don't have a fancy one to say if that improves matters, so I make sure I plug my amp directly into a wall socket.

 

There are various reatailers, who will let you try before you buy, or offer a 30 day refund etc, so if you are simply curious, like I was, there is a way to find out if they do anything for you.

 

Of course, if you are happy with what you are hearing in the first place - no need to bother.

 

It has really opened my ears as to the possibilities a great interconnect can have.

I'm going to see if I can trial an even more expensive one (~£300) to see if that takes me to yet another level, of if the Lautus is simply a world beater, because it was hard to imagine just where the improvements would come from and whether they are worth the cost - but curiosity forces me to at least try to find out.

 

Either way, I will be saving up for at least one Lautus, because at worst I can use it to make two digital coax connections - bonus !

I also ran some 'big name' US cables costing around 3-4 times the GSPs from CD player