330L + 550L = 770L? Siltech Classic Anniversary 550L Speaker Jumper Cables.

The Siltech Classic 25th Anniversary 550L jumper cable vs the PMC supplied silver coated bus bar.

I never really understood why the Brits like to supply their speakers with bi-wiring speaker cable binding post. Other than to facilitated by amping which, in my experience can bring about some sonic improvements at a cost. I've never really bothered with bi-wiring either. My audio guru and DIY er Papa Nelson Pass seems to agree too.(Hey! isn't it the other way round?)

So when I bought the pair of PMC Fact 8 speakers that came with the bi-wiring facility, I knew that I needed to spend some $$$ on this issue, despite the fact that the PMC supplied binding post links seemed pretty well made from silver coated bus bar. Believe me, they are much better made than those supplied by PMC in their i range and all those supplied by other British speaker brands that I've seen.

To see if I could get any sonic rewards for replacing the PMC supplied bus bars, I wanted to use a set of Siltech 330L Classic Anniversary jumper cables to match my main pair of speaker cables of the same model. However, CMY had not stocked the 330L jumper set just yet, and proposed that I try the next higher model of 550L jumper set instead, which they have a set to go. I looked at the build quality of the CA 550L jumper set and found that it's just as well built to Siltech's usual high standards. I especially loved the custom machined and well engineered spade ends.
This is how it works!

I removed the bus bars and proceeded to hook up the Siltech CA 550L jumpers as seen on the picture above and went ahead to play some music and allowed the new cables to settle down. I had in mind that the new jumpers will make little if much difference. When I started some serious listening session, boy was I in for an immediate but pleasant surprise!

The most notice able first impression was that how much more musical details and low level resolution is enhanced. The next impressive trait I noticed was the sound stage and imaging. The stage width and depth of field perception improved tremendously. The stage depth layering is also more clearly defined.

However, with the Siltech CA 550L jumper cables in, I did find that the bass is slightly leaner but better articulated. Since my PMC Fact 8 allows slight tonal adjust ability via it's rear mounted toggle switches, I decided to bring the bass up by another 3db. That leaves my high frequency setting at 0db and bass frequency setting at -3db(where it was previously set at -6db). That slight adjustment brought back the bass volume in to the tonal balance of the system. However, that extra bass articulation remains, and I could hear more bass related details, which is good. The highs and mids maintains the high refinement standards set by the Siltech Classic Anniversary series cables.
The standard Siltech poly-styrene box packaging.

Wait a minute! Doesn't 330L + 550L = 880L? If you have to ask, the answer is simple, Siltech does not have 880L in their range and the Classic Anniversary is topped by 770L. What I am trying to summarize is that the Siltech CA 330L speaker cable when used with the 550L jumper set will edge the sonic performance closer to the direction set by the Siltech CA 770L. This is perhaps due to the fact that the combo will yeild the musicality of the 330L and the technical superiority of the 550L all in one, just like the sonic characteristics of the CA 770L speaker cable.

If you need a refresher, please re-visit my "Tale Of The Three Heavenly Fairy Sisters. Siltech G7 Classic 25th Anniversary 330L, 550L & 770L" article, dated 14 August 2009.

The Siltech Classic Anniversary 550L jumper set retails for RM$3980.00 per set. Yeah!, Yeah! I know it's bad maths, the price is insane, but the sound is just....... heavenly(for the lack of a better word). I am such a nut to keep this Siltech jumper set.

Siltech cables is sold by CMY Audio & Visual, tel: 03-21439406.

In Love With A Princess - Siltech Royal Signature G7 Princess Interconnects

We continue our investigation of the excellent cable range from Siltech - this time Big E collected a pair of interconnects from its current top range, the Royal Signature Series G7, called the Princess. In the Royal Signature Series, the interconnect range are named after the female side - Princess, Queen, Empress, whereas the loudspeaker cables are named after the male side - Prince, King, Emperor.

More than a year ago, I listened to the predecessor of this Princess, the Siltech Signature Series G6 Forbes Lakes SATT, in my system, . The Forbes Lakes took everything that I used in my system, albeit many times cheaper, to the cleaners. Their impact on my music listening was nothing less than revelatory. Since that experience, I took them as the best interconnects as far as I am concerned. And 'Siltech Forbes Lake' was the name mentioned whenever anyone asked me which cables I considered the best in my system's context.

At RM20k a pair, I could not afford the Forbes Lakes, so I had to see them go. Now, their replacement came in with a further increase in their premium, the Princess goes for RM23k for 1.5m.

The Princess' construction quality continues with the Siltech traditional, it is nothing less than impeccable. Its look is virtually indistinguishable from the Forbes Lake. To my eyes, they are one of the most handsome pair of cables around, pity that they'll spend most of their time behind your equipment. The cables are pretty weighty, probably attributable to the amount of metal in them and the 2 clamps, one on each end. They inspire confidence even from just looking at them, no kidding. :-)

I put them between my Ayre C5-xeMP universal player and the Pass Labs X2.5 preamp, then I sat down, ready to repeat my previous experience of an amazing musical ride.


The Princess did not disappoint, the first quality that caught me was the quietness of the system. There was just music pouring forth from the speakers, the space between instruments and the time between notes were jet black. Illumination came from the music itself and no extraneous noice intruded.

Throw in something more complex, such as some tracks from Hugh Masekela's 'Hope' album, instrument delineation and separation was the best I have heard. Noise made by the audienc was clearly defined apart from the band, while instruments and voices of the performers could be heard in their own, separated space, and the whole thing was sewn together as a musical whole. It was uncanny.

This, of course, means that the Princess excelled at soundstaging. The stage spread slightly outside of the left and right boundaries of my speakers, stably anchored down just behind them. Images were well defined, layered and dimensional.


The Princess also rendered music very articulate. Recordings, rather than being rendered technically, became musical performances. In my listening session, violin and female vocals simply adored the Princess.... Listening to Anne Sophie Mutter and Itzhak Perlman's violins, I was bowed over by their artistry with the instrument and their beautiful string tone. The harmonic structure of the notes was excellently preserved and rendered. The Princess gave that silky, shiny, silvery hue that leave the listener in no doubt as to its pedigree - that it was high end.

It was amazing how much more music I could enjoy with the Princess, cd after cd became an enjoyable listening experience. The Princess interconnects are not for technical analysis, they are for musical enjoyment. They will not be your partner if you just want to know how high or how low the notes goes, how fast the transient was, whether the bass could hit you in the chest. No, they are about refinement, good taste and, above all else, musicality.

The Princess is pristine water from a mountain spring - clean, clear, but not bland. There is a certain sweetness to it, other than than it does not add any colour to the sound.

Such natural beauty does not need additional make-up, really.

Siltech is carried by CMY Audio & Visual, contact John, tel: 03-21439206

One More From the Fairy Family - Siltech Classic Anniversary SPX-300 G7 Powercord

Both Big E and myself had had some very enjoyable experience with Siltech's Classic Anniversary range a couple of months ago. We came away extremely impressed with its loudspeaker cables range, the 330L, 550L and 770L. Big E called them his 'fairy sisters', remember that one? :-) That article was done so well by Big E that Siltech references to it with a link from their website's home page. Now, Big E listens to the seductive fairy sing in front of him every day. You see, he bought the 330L to be his reference.

Being duly impressed so, we shall continue to check out the Siltech range. Here, we go into Siltech's Classic Anniversary powercord offering, the Siltech SPX-300 comes in with a list price of RM3,980 for 1.5m.

The Siltech SPX-300 is very well constructed, having the same high quality feel in its connection, its sheath, and the coolest design feature of all, in the Classic Anniversary range, the metal 'clamp' (looks like stainless steel to me) at one end of the cord. Holding it in your hand, you can feel that it is heavy, heavier than many other companies' offerings. The weight is attributable probably to the amount of metal in it and the clamp. Siltech says that the powercord is made of silver coated OFC (oxygen free copper).


Unlike the loudspeaker cables, which are very flexible, the body of the SPX-300 is stiff. It can be bent but does not hold its shape easily. This made the routing of this cable more difficult than others, so you probably want to consider having some free space behind your equipment.

I tried the Siltech SPX-300 on the Ayre C-5xeMP universal player. The powercord came burnt-in (a label on the cord mentioned that it was burnt in by ProBurn). However, I still found that it sounded best after 1 full day of continuous use.

The Siltech SPX-300 is so obviously cut from the same Siltech cloth. It offers the same beauty of sound that I heard in the loudspeaker cables (more of that later). When I first heard the powercord in my system, the thought that kept recurring in my head was, "Quiet, this is really quiet." Yes, the first prominent contribution of the Siltech SPX-300 was the noise-less background that it brought to the game. Music was played on a jet black canvas and the space between the players was just simply dark.

There was also excellent definition and separation of the sonic images. In 'The Linden' (second track) on Youn Sun Nah's 'Voyage' album, there was a shaker playing midway through the track (around 2:00), moving across the sound stage and front to back. I never heard this effect so clearly before the Siltech SPX-300, I could, not only hear each shake clearly now, but also 'see' its movement around the stage.


The SPX-300 also sounded very open at the top, and there was a certain sweetness in the highs too, just like the loudspeaker cables in the same range (though I have to say that the latter's effect was more pronounced). This character was, quite honestly, beguiling and addictive. The mids were beautiful too, it was articulate and rendered with finesse. The bottom was not particularly strong, but was confident and well controlled, more importantly it was balanced with the rest of the spectrum.

Another positive attribute I can't emphasize enough is its very good details and clarity. There was no soft lens to render anything with too much of a romantic hue (there was little if any ajinomoto in the sound, so to speak :-) ). Image edges were well defined and this clarity unveiled a new layer of details from the CD medium. Each image has its own acoustic space - a corollary from the quiet background which I touched on earlier.

I heartily recommend anyone looking for an excellent powercord to audition the Siltech Classic Anniversary SPX-300 powercord. See if you are also susceptible to the fairy's charms. :-)

Siltech is carried by CMY Audio & Visual, contact John, tel: 03-21439206

Upgrade Your Interconnects? Siltech Zero Ohm Link Jade.

Sign, sealed and delivered! The packaging and the QC check list, sign by the technician whom checked it before leaving Sitech's factory.

I was intrigue by Siltech's Zero Ohm Link concept. It's like an extra grounding within the interconnect, promising less noise and better dynamics due to improved signal to noise ratio within the interconnect cable.

I asked John of CMY to loan a pair of Siltech Zero Ohm Link Jade to try, along with it came the Siltech ST-18 IQ interconnect reviewed a few days earlier. John said the Siltech Zero Ohm Link Jade will certainly improve the budget ST-18 IQ. John really knows his products by heart!

How does one use the Zero Ohm Link? Well, you plug both ends of the Link in to both sides of your connecting equipment, then you plug your existing cable in to both ends of the Zero Ohm Link. That's easy.

The Siltech Zero Ohm Link Jade is part of the Classic Anniversary Series.

I have written extensively about the wonderfully competent Siltech ST-18 IQ. So I'll write about how the Sitech ST-18 IQ plus Zero Ohm Link combo sounds like. First thing that hit me was that the combo was way, way quieter, like as if the noise floor went down by a few levels. Back grounds are now pitch black, making musical images stand out from the back ground in an almost relief manner. Vocals gained weight and density, to the point the singer almost standing in front of your listening room. Also improved were transient response and dynamics of an orchestra on full crescendo hits that much harder too.

The ST-18 IQ plus Zero Ohm Link combo brought the overall performance level by an extra 10% or so, if I could estimate a measure able figure to it. Hence when I say, the combo moves the ST-18 IQ's performance levels that much closer to the way more expensive AQ Sky, which has been my permanent reference since last year. However, I must stress that the differences described above are rather subtle, and only post direct A/B comparison will become apparent. One would certainly not note the improvements otherwise. So the Zero Ohm Links does work as advertised, especially partnered with Siltech cables.

The Siltech Zero Ohm Link Jade plus ST-18 G3. Note the quality craftsmanship.

Then I got a little adventurous, and went on to try the Zero Ohm Link with my AQ Sky! The result that was most immediately notice able was the focus of the vocalist mouth size in the imaging. The mouth went from orange size to re-focused no bigger than a Malaysian 50 sen coin! Unless one likes small mouthed singers, and I know some people DO like that! Musical instruments also seemed more focused with stronger outlined at the seams of the images. I felt overall, the AQ Sky plus Zero Ohm Link resulted in a harder, less organic musical presentation. Not quite the qualities that I want in my system. Hence I would caution again that try before you buy is certainly a must if you do not have a Siltech interconnect to start with, or plan to partner the Zero Ohm Link with cables of other brands.

The Siltech Zero Ohm Link Jade plus my Audioquest Sky, doing connection service between my CD player and pre amp.

Now here's the shocking part, the price of the Siltech Zero Ohm Link Jade is RM$4650.00 for the XLR terminated 1.5M pair review sample. I could already see many of you asking, "why not just buy a new cable then?, wouldn't if be more worth while?" Well yes, that would be quite sensible too, but here's what I can see. If you already have one of Siltech's budget range cable, and seemed happy with it's sonic strengths, but wanna push the performance envelope a little further, then the Zero Ohm Link may just fit the bill. That value call will surely best left to your own judgement, as I know, the Jade is the entry level of the Zero Ohm Links, meaning there are more expensive ones available too!

Siltech is sold by CMY Audio & Visual, contact John, tel: 03-21439206

Sensible Silver. Siltech ST-18 IQ.

The Siltech ST-18 IQ looks very simply constructed but the feel and look is of justified quality for the price.

This little known series of budget Siltech cables, has been sold since it's G3 designation for a few years now. It's currently available in improved IQ guise due to consumer demands for quality sound at sensible price. This review sample, at 1.5m long, XLR terminated interconnect is priced affordabily(by Siltech standards) at RM$1950.00/pair. So don't question my opinion of what's affordable. I do know of cheaper interconnects out there, but not better at this price.

Knowing fairly well that silver based cables can be such a dog to run in, I hook the Siltech ST-18 IQ on to my home brew kable kooker Rev B.(see article located under DIY category of this blog) solution for 72 hours prior to auditioning.

I don't know if it's because this cable struck a particularly favourable synergy with my system or just plain luck? But when compared to my usual reference Audioquest Sky interconnects, this budget Siltech ST-18 IQ gave away very little in terms of musical performance to the former reference costing almost 10X the price when new!

"That good?" you asked. Here's the low down. The tonality of Siltech is fairly neutral with a tinge of warmth, just enough to remind me of their current G7 Classic Annivesary series cables. The highs retained that Siltech signature of grain free, delicate smoothness with a pinch of sweetness thrown in for good measure. The mids are open, if a little dry and the bass is articulate and tuneful, if not as full or robust when compared to the AQ Sky.

In terms of frequency bandwidth extension, the Siltech ST-18 IQ just doesn't extend as high of as low as the AQ Sky. But this is only discernible post interchanging the cables a couple of times.

The staging width is slightly reduced, but illusion of depth is well maintained. The imaging is pin point and portrayed with enough conviction. This cable excels at micro dynamics and does warm acoustic instruments like guitar, violin, piano, cello and double bass realistically. However, horns does tend to lack bite and missing that burnish tone of metallic ness. Again these short comings are only apparent in a series of repeated A/B cable swaps.

This Siltech has gotta be one of the most transparent interconnect on the right side of RM$2k. All the musical nounces and recording details, no matter how low in level, are easily reproduced. This is especially true with classical music, where during times, there are members of the orchestra clearing their air tubes, droping a puck or turning a page of their musical notes as they prepare for their next note, all this action are clearly reproduced, even as the music is on going. In this respect, it is as good as the AQ Sky!

What I found so amazing for a cable at this price is it's sheer musical coherence from top to bottom frequency presentation. The music never becomes disjointed, or sound very impressive in some areas only to be let down by other areas of sonic performance. In other words, this cable has very even handed performance in all sound aspects. The Siltech will do everything within it's limitation at 75-80% of the AQ Sky bench mark. During it's 3 weeks attached to my system, I've never felt the urge to pull it out and re-insert the AQ Sky back in to my system. I never even felt the lost of the AQ Sky from my system! It's that good, and that says plenty about the fine qualities Siltech ST-18 IQ interconnect. It just punches way,way above it's price bracket, sound performance wise. Now, if that's not sensible enough for you, than I don't know what is?

If one is looking to step up from the likes of vdH D102 MKIII or other cables of similar grade, I bet that there'll be no cause for complains, unless one's system synergy is way off neutral, or for some funny reason, in compatible with the Siltech's sonic strengths, and sometimes just plain ol' personal preferences thing. It's o.k. after all it's only hifi, and it's meant to be fun.

The Siltech ST-18 IQ plugged behind my Marantz CD7, and what's the other Siltech plug for? hint, hint! It's in the follow up story. Stay tuned.

In the later part of the review period, I managed to bring the budget Siltech up a notch closer to the AQ Sky! Stay tuned to find out.

Siltech is sold by CMY Audio Visual, contact John, tel: 03-21439206

What Say You?

When I wrote about the Siltech Classic Anniversary and JPS Labs loudspeaker cables on 28/8, I basically also said that an upgrade was due for me. (Click here: http://hifi-unlimited.blogspot.com/2009/08/three-fairy-sisters-vs-three-eyed.html)

I have since made my decision on which loudspeaker cables to go for. But let me delay the news for a few days. Let's listen to you, readers of this blog, as to which cables I would buy - the Siltech Classic Anniversary 550L or the JPS Labs Superconductor 3, both in similar price range. So, here is the first reader survey of Hifi-Unlimited. On the right hand side panel, you can find a survey panel to put in your opinion.

It is my belief that cable selection is a matter of personal preference, some look for utter neutrality, some look for certain 'flavour' to fine tune their systems' sound. So the question I am asking is that based on your knowledge from what you could have gleamed from my writings and my system, which cable I would have gone for.

I would like to emphasize though that this is not a survey of which is the better cable, but on my personal cable preference.

Hehe, sorry also to say the survey result would not affect my decision, because I have paid for the cables of my choice and they are now sitting in my room running in. But let's play a little lighthearted game and see whether you'd have made the same choice for my system.

The survey will close 9:00am on this coming Sunday 13/9/09 Malaysian time. My answer will come out on the same day too.

No prize will be given out for getting it right though. :-)

The Three Fairy Sisters vs The Three-Eyed Warrior

仙女三姐妹 對 二郎神

(the title in Chinese)

Big E has been hot on cables lately, I have been busy too. Those Siltech Classic Anniversary Series loudspeaker cables also spent their time at my place. But there was a slight twist, I had the JPS Superconductor 3 at the same time too.

A mutual friend texted me, when he learned that I had 3 pairs of Siltech and the JPS Labs cables, "So how is the fight between the fairy sisters and the 3-eyed warrior?". I was startled for a while, and managed to catch on to what he meant only after some long thought. Wow, when did my listening room become the battleground of these Chinese mythological characters? :-)

The macho 3-eyed warrior 二郎神

Big E's seductive heavenly fairies 仙女散花

Anyway, nicknaming the Siltechs "fairies" was apt, and calling the JPS "warrior" was apt too.

The Siltech Classic Anniversary range consisted of the 330L, 550L and 770L models. All of them exhibited unparalleled achievement in terms of refinement, smoothness, sweetness and sonic beauty in my system. It must be the magic of Siltech's use of silver-gold mix in these cables.

Siltech Classic Anniversary 550L
Actually, at this level of photo resolution, the 330L, 550L, 770L would all look the same. However, in real life, they got heavier and there were more twists in the cables as you move up the range.

I started actually with the 550L, the middle fairy sister. The most prominent impression that hit me was the highs, I never heard highs so silky smooth, so beguiling in my system ever. This was coupled with a beautiful shean in the same region, giving the sound reproduction that highend glamourous feel (chinese called it "gui qi 貴氣"). I found the highs so beautiful that my attention was invariably drawn to it, just like coming face to face with a beautiful woman - the gaze was glued to the face, the rest of it became secondary.

The 550L handled the rest of the sonic spectrums excellently too, though I felt that they did not attain the achievement of the highs. Its mid was clear and articulate, its bass was a little lighter than what I was used too, but it was well defined. Its slight lightness balanced out the bass heaviness that I suffered in my system due to my small listening space. Overall, an organic and musical presentation, absolutely beautiful with music that required sophistication and subtlety - female vocals (these played right into the Siltech's hands), small ensemble Jazz, classicals. But probably not the best choice if your music diet was rock or those slap-me-silly dynamic tracks.

I told Big E how impressed I was with the 550L. He gamely lent me the 330L, the little fairy sister, for a comparison. He has bought the pair of 330L and they were his reference now. Wow, if you love 'sweet', you'd love the 330L. They reminded me of a younger time, of my high school sweetheart - fresh-faced, pretty, clean-cut, and did I mention sweet? Again, the junior model was equally competent in the area of musicality and organic-ness - it always presented music rather than hifi sound.

I came to a different conclusion from Big E at this point. He said he preferred the 330L's musicality over the 550L's more technical achievements. I, though, preferred the 550L which I felt was no less musical (well, probably just a bit less) but also with added improvement in resolution and dynamic contrast. Bear in mind, though, that the 550L (RM17.5k) came in at almost double the price of the 330L (RM9.3k).

Then my party with the 2 fairy sisters was gate-crashed. That was the JPS Superconductor 3 loudspeaker cables that Big E wrote about before. I had not heard them and I wanted to contrast the 550L with something in the same price range, so it was just natural for me to go borrow the JPS from Centre Circle Audio. It was a CONTRAST indeed.

The JPS Labs Superconductor 3, stiff but malleable, hooked up to my EgglestonWorks.
Can you cable hold a loop like this? :-) A little too long for my place, so the Superconductor 3 was connected 'standing up'!

Let's talk about their physical attibutes first. The Siltechs had a soft and flexible body, making them very easy to route and install. The JPS was stiff (and I mean really stiff) just like a metal pipe (if I remember correctly, the cables were actually shielded inside copper pipes). They fight you during installation, you have to bend them into shape to make the connection. The fortunate part was that they would hold the shape just like a metal pipe would.

See, this JPS 3-eyed warrior's physique was 'muscular', and it was reflected in the sound too. Gone was the sweetness of the Siltechs, instead it was replaced with the feeling of energy. It was transparent but did not fully match that of the Siltech 550L, however it was a more exciting listen than the Siltech. Its bass was muscular, mid had good body and energy, the highs did lose out to the Siltechs in terms of smoothness and that sweetness thingy again, but was no less extended. Even with simple vocal music, the contrast was rather stark. With Siltech, I was beguiled and relaxed; with JPS, I was attracted by the energy displayed by the musicians and singer, the listening was exciting even. The JPS Labs Superconductor 3 also portrayed a bigger soundstage which was also slightly forward.

What the Siltech had the JPS did not. What the JPS had the Siltech did not. There was no clear winner in this situation, system matching and, probably more importantly, personal taste would play into one's decision making.

This was a problem, I wonder whether there was anything that could combine the best of both. I spoke to Big E about it and he thought the top of the line 770L would solve this dilemma, so he went to CMY to borrow a pair.

Well, you can read Big E's earlier post on the 770L. You knew he was extremely impressed, he said, "The big sister is like having both the technical superiority of the 550L and the musical presentation of the 330L in one cable! In other words, the all conquering JPS Super Conductor 3 (retailing at RM$13K+ for a 2.5m pair) is now finally being put into its place." I was equally impressed too. Yes, there was now 'beauty' and 'energy' all in one. It matched the JPS in energy level and excitement to quite a large degree, and outstripped it in transparency and sophistication. The sound was perennially glamourous, a term that Big E used which I agreed with both hands. Details, timbre accuracy, smoothness were the best among the 4 pairs of cables here.

Wow, this is what you get by almost doubling up the price paid again (RM30k)! To me, the 770L was insanely expensive and I could not afford them. But I sure admire those who could!

Now, I have to admit that I found it hard to go back to my first generation Transaparent Musicwave Ultra speaker cables, which had served me very well all these years. A few guys including Big E had a wager on, betting whether I'd succumb to the beautiful fairy sister or make friends with the macho warrior. And I was pre-warned that whichever side I came down on, the losers would beat me up.

Well, be patient, guys. You will hear about it here. :-)

Siltech is carried by CMY Audio & Visual, contact John Yew, Ph: 03-21439406
JPS Labs is carried by Center Circle Audio, contact Nelson Chia, Ph: 03-77282686

Tale Of Three Heavenly Fairy Sisters. Siltech G7 Classic 25th Anniversary 330L, 550L & 770L.

The Siltech G7 Classic 25th Anniversary speaker cable.

Sin Lui, in the Chinese Cantonese dialect, so popularly spoken here in Kuala Lumpur, means Heavenly Fairy. How did all this came about in an high end audio speaker cable review?

I've been playing with the Siltech G7 Classic 25th Anniversary 330L speaker cable for a while now. My hifi buddy Wong, came over for a hang out one day, after playing a few songs, he asked, "did you do anything to your hifi?, the highs sounded like Sin Lui ha fan, Sin Lui san fa!(Heavenly Fairies summoned to toss flowers to the ground)" To understand the meaning, look at the image of Chinese traditional Heavenly Fairies below.
An image of Chinese traditional Heavenly Fairies, tossing flowers.

My reply, "it must be the Siltech speaker cable that just came in for review". News soon spread, more and more hifi buddies came knocking on my door, wanting to experience the said phenomenon for them selves.
The stainless steel collar indicating Classic Anniversary model.

Since we're on the subject of the Siltech speaker cable range, John, boss of CMY Audio Visual, very kindly allowed OdioSleuth and me to experience the whole G7 Classic 25th Anniversary series, starting with the 330L, 550L & the big heavenly fairy sister 770L. The Siltech G7 metallurgy combines silver and gold alloy in balanced pair twisted configurations. The build quality and construction detail of these cables are of very high standards. They are built to much more exacting standards than the older Siltech G5 Classic 20th Anniversary LS-88 that my friend allowed me to play with when he upgraded his cable to the latest G7 550L! The in house milled terminations are of much higher quality fit and finishing wise, compared to those WBT supplied ones used on the G5 Classic LS-88. The terminations are also more precise in finger feel as you tighten the grips on the amp and speaker terminal, reducing the probability of shorting as the cables do not drop off after tightening, something which I cannot say about the G5 Classic LS-88's WBT supplied terminations.
The cables are very flexibly manage able.

All the G7 cables looks like of the same gauge, but does grow heavier in weight as you climb the range ladder. The good part is that the cables are never stiff like some other's, always very easy to handle and manipulate plus looks very low key in the scheme of things. The only stand out feature is the stainless steel collars, with 25th Anniversary markings, wrapped around both ends of the cable. The 550L and 770L are serial numbered in matched pairs and are subjected to factory pre delivery burn in. The cheaper 330L makes do without the special treatment.
The 770L top, 550L middle and 330L bottom, looks like similar gauge size but note the twisting! More twist on the higher models.

Although there is also the entry level 220L in the range, I'll disregard that for now, as that is of Siltech G6 metallurgy technology. Why buy yesterday's technology new, unless buying used at much lower entry cost, than I believe it'll make sense.
Note the serial no. engraved, just at the bottom of the collar!

Here we start with the 330L,li'll Sin Lui sister.

Coming from the Siltech G5 Classic LS-88 and the 3 times cheaper Straightwire Maestro II, I was immediately impressed with the level of transparency, the much wider band width in frequency response extension on both extremes and the degree of quietness in the back ground, it's like as if there's no back ground!(at least until you start comparing with the cables higher up the range!)While the highs has a very similar familiarity to the G5 Classic LS-88's openness, the G7 improves upon with a more airy presentation, especially in the high mids, making vocals loose that throaty dryness so apparent on the older cable. The mids have a weightier presentation too, compared to the G5 cable. Bass is also more robust and notes are defined, though does not extend quite as low as the levels set by the JPS Super Conductor 3 which I had played with in June. The comparison will almost certain make the older G5 cable sound very lean indeed. The G7 cable is tonally very balanced with a tinged of lushness built in for good measure. Not only that, the G7 330L speaker cable is also extremely musical in flow. I always end up foot taping, sub consciously enjoying what ever music I am playing at the moment. Disc after disc, I could now listen the whole disc thru, never wanting to skip the unpleasant tracks on a CD which the audiophile in me used to do, that's a good musical sign. This is inherently one of the most musical cables I've come across so far. The overall staging and imaging presentation is very organically wide with good depth perception. I was playing Jennifer Warnes, The Well CD and track 6, And so it goes, with the opening piano bars, I could heard so many pressing of the foot pedals, where previously I only heard a faint pedal movement. The piano was full and had excellent woody reverb and decay qualities. I could also at times hear Jennifer Warnes, ever so gently breath in to the microphone, just in between verses. I am also rediscovering many of my old favorites too, like in Telarc's Round Up CD, on track 12,a medley of Western songs and at the Shanendoah part, the chorus choir boys all lined up behind the stage of the instruments which is further up front was breathtaking, I could count the number of mouths per left/right side of the stage! I also thought this cable is much better at presenting micro dynamics of a solo acoustic guitar, over the slightly curtailed macro dynamics of an orchestra at full crescendo. OdioSleuth mentioned that he thought the female vocals even sounded sweetly seductive(just like during your honeymoon?, He!He!) when he visited me briefly. It's that good!

Next up, the 550L, 2nd Sin Lui sister.

Moving up to the next in the G7 Classic range brought about even higher levels of transparency, wider bandwidth in frequency response and an further quietened back ground. Whilst tonally very similar to the 330L, the highs are somewhat further refined, till in comparison the 330L starts to sound a little fury around the edges. The mids are further flushed out and vocals are now chestier. Bass is now JPS Super Conductor 3 tight, but still just doesn't dive as low just yet. The staging and imaging aspect of this cable is again superior, with further defined images within the sound stage, making what I had experienced with the 330L sounded like mere hints of the event. Again, I take Jennifer Warnes, The Well CD, again track 6, the opening piano bars, the amount of foot pedal work involved is fully revealed, not only just that, I could even hear the foot pedal action which the hammer lined with a certain damper, softly striking the strings!!! I was gob smack by this level of truthful transparency! But there's a small catch. I did felt this cable is significantly better technically, it didn't quite move me as much on an emotional level compared to the 330L. The 550L ticked all the right audiophile boxes on the technical checklist, but yet some how, the music just felt a little mechanical. Again, this is only apparent if you compared, otherwise, I would believe it's an non issue.

Lastly, the 770L big Sin Lui sister.

The big sister is like having both the technical superiority 550L and the musical presentation of the 330L in one cable! In other words, the all conquering JPS Super Conductor 3(retailing at RM$13K+ for a 2.5m pair) is now finally being put in to it's place. I've being listening to it for the last few days, trying very hard to find fault with the cable, yet I always ended enjoying the music for a few hours irregardless, failing miserably in my fault finding quest! The highs are magically smooth, extended as high to near dog's hearing frequencies, and yet have just the right amount of texture to make high hats and cymbals sound real. The mids are full bodied, and vocals just about to "pop" out of the three dimensional sound stage palpably, set further back. The bass goes very low and is uber tight, with excellent transient response when portraying up right bass instruments, making musical note to note highly discern able. The result is realistically effortless refinement, combined with some of the best transient response. The micro/macro dynamics response are just equally as strong. In the end, I don't know if I am listening to the limits of the speaker cable, or the limits of my system? I personally feel this cable is capable of so much more than I can describe here, in the context of the "right" system. After all, this cable's pricing belongs to a much, more elite class of audio category as it's naturally respected partners. Certainly, this is the very best speaker cable I've ever came across so far till this date!
Another look at the smartly finished high quality cable.

Summary.

The 330L, li'll heavenly fairy sister is the most seductive, forgiving and musically gifted of the three. She may have with held a few truths here and there, yet needed just to be a little more polished, but she's so convincingly enjoyable in the company of music, who cares!

The 550L, 2nd heavenly fairy sister seems to suffer a bit of the middle child syndrome. She's very technically accomplished, yet remain ever so faithfully truthful but some how, at the end of the day, just manages to leave me searching for that li'll bit more soul in her beauty.

The 770l, big heavenly fairy sister is like the glamorous Hollywood starlet you've always dreamed about, yet never quite attainable. Highly sophisticated, poised, sexy and never puts a foot wrong. She always tells the truth so ever beautifully, it never seem to hurt a bit. However, she's only available for the pleasure of a select few "privileged souls" to enjoy her ever so technically perfect, yet musically satisfying company.

In short, the Siltech G7 Classic 330L is more for the musical lover, whilst the 550L is more for those whom seek the "absolute sound" and the 770L gives you the best of both worlds. It's amazingly flawless.

The retail prices of the Slitech G7 Classic 25th Anniversary speaker cables, 2.5m pair lengths are as follows:

330L = RM$ 9,320/pair
550L = RM$17,580/pair
770L = RM$30,520/pair
My very own beautiful and seductive,"Sin Lui san fa!"

One final question perhaps all of you reading could ask your self. What price would you pay to summon the heavenly fairies to accompany you on your musical journeys?

I bought the review sample of the Siltech G7 Classic 25th Anniversary 330L speaker cable.

Siltech cables are sold by CMY Audio & Visual, tel: 03-21439206

First Impression of Silver & Gold

This is an old post of ours in the blog we previously contributed to.

Today, an amazing thing happened in my household....

Well, I think many married audiophiles have the experience where their better halves tell them that they listen to their music too loudly, or where they feel the music played on your system is ear-pokingly bad that they will leave the room once the system comes on, right? (many say the fairer sex have better or more sensitive hearing, I agree)

But today, my lovely wife sat beside me and we listened to more than one hour of music on my hifi system, she told me she enjoyed the music and she even commented on how good the sound quality was. Nothing had changed actually - I played the same CDs at the same volume level as before, we sat in the same place, I had the same system components - except one thing: I inserted the Siltech Signature Series G6 Forbes Lake SATT interconnects into my system.

Their 1m length did not allow me to put them between my CD player and preamp without having to rearrange my equipment, so I put them between my preamp and monoblocks, just to get an initial impression. When the music started, we could not stop! I played one track after another and we had a very enjoyable time. We played a variety of music – jazz vocals, some virtuoso violin music and some drum tracks (my wife never ever sat through a dynamic drum track with me, this is a first).

I’ll comment more on the Forbes Lake’s sound quality in the full review for AVXpress after my extended listening sessions later. It is suffice to say now that my initial impression is that they improved my system’s musicality, heightened its resolution, made the bottom more articulate, and smoothened the highs without slowing the music down or dulling it. There are many other sound aspects I would like to comment on, but I should not let the cat out of the bag too early, especially not before I have a full handle on their performance, so I beg your patience. :-)

I’ll do some run-in on them for the next few days, and start some serious listening, I expect to hear more improvement. I’ll also compare their performance between pre-power and between CD-pre.

I absolutely look forward to this ‘chore’.

Posted by hifikaki 3 May '08