Synergistic Research Synergistic Research Nice Pair 20ft long XLR Bal Cables

Synergistic Research "Resolution Reference" 20ft  Pair of XLR Cables

A great all around long pair interconnects and a fantastic value...

Color: Black & Green

S/N# 1311

Great pair of 20 feet long LONG Balanced XLR of interconnects  for only $795.

As Ted Denney explains it, signal and ground get separate, dedicated
geometries in each Designers’ Reference interconnect: two separate runs
of cable twisted around one another. With the balanced interconnect, the
shield is tied to the shell of the XLR rather than the ground pin
within the connector! "The cables are still shielded, but outside
the signal path," explains Denney (footnote 1). "This produces
incredibly low capacitance between the music and ground signals.
Designers’ Reference measures only 5 picofarads per foot!"

This
seems a unique approach. Denney points out that many cable makers merely
adapt their single-ended designs to balanced configuration. "That’s why
most audiophiles don’t feel they really sound any better than
single-ended designs," he avers.

Wanting the inside dope, I
pressed Denney for details and learned that the dielectric is a
"proprietary modified polyethylene derived from defense applications." I
signed the Official Secrets Waiver he thrust at me and continued
digging. He briefed me on his special copper-alloy conductor—it’s coated
with another proprietary alloy he described as "migratory in nature." I
fixed him with my best "Do tell" look. He continued unfazed: "Yes, it
migrates to the center of the conductor, and the conductor alloy
migrates out to the coating alloy. The result is excellent
high-frequency handling and skin-effect characteristics. That’s derived
from defense applications as well."

I inquired about resonance
control. It seems DR addresses vibration both as it relates to passing
signal through the cable, and as air- or room-borne in origin. "To avoid
smearing, grain, and lack of clarity, we use four polymer shafts with
cotton cores within the interconnect, plus a thin Cellophane wrap. The
shield—a weave of the signal-conductor alloy—also helps control
resonance."

The bright green jacketing material, I am informed,
was initially developed for what Denney describes as "geo-tech
applications." Uh-huh. "That’s jacketing for cables found in seismic
measurement equipment. And the woven clear material around that, a
dissimilar material, also helps to prevent resonance. Even the twist
rate is strategic in creating the sound we’re looking for. Many
elements, Jonathan, all working in synergy."

By the way, this is
the same conductor material used in the Resolution Reference Mk.2, which
is half the price of DR. The difference is in the "vintage" of the
wire, explains Denney. "It’s a subjective process we go through in
grading the alloy before we know which cable it will be used in. Only
about 4% of the total yield is good enough for Designers’ Reference.
It’s like a vintage Bordeaux—same grapes, same growing year and vintner,
the only difference being that the wine from a vintage year has unique
characteristics that make it better. We listen to the conductor
material, and a small batch with the right characteristics is set aside
and reserved for Designers’ Reference. The rest make it into Res
Reference Mk.2, and Looking Glass Phase 1 and 2."

Sound: This
is a wonderful interconnect. It sounded at all times as close to
perfectly neutral as I’ve ever heard in our system. Yet it was always
effortlessly musical, alive with tonal color and harmonics. The entire
bass range was exemplary in the best of audiophile ways. The midrange
was as fully developed as any front-end ever managed to produce. The
highs sounded extended and linear, very naturally detailed, and, above
all else, open. Speed, timing, and dynamics—macro and micro—were right
on the money, balancing each other perfectly.

The soundstage the
DR threw, given the right material, could be awesome—deep, wide, and
airy, the vibrant acoustic environments surrounding each performer
coupling well with the overall soundstage. And forget "layering" as an
audiophile concept; it’s too coarse a definition. Any component making a
grab for the audiophile brass ring must layer a soundstage at the very least.
But we have to get beyond the flat, one-dimensional sense the term
implies and look at the integrity, the palpability of the entire sonic
construct. I’m speaking about separate acoustic environments—bell-like,
if you will—surrounding each performer. How these mini-environments
couple with each other and the larger acoustic environment is of more
interest to me than the simple concept of "imaging." In this way, the DR
was always very adept.

Some people never learn. While his RM-50 speakers were here, Jeff Joseph brought over two LPs he thought I’d enjoy. Big mistake. Dance to Duke
is a Columbia Special Archives pressing (CSRP 8098) with an impossibly
young and dapper Ellington smiling up from the cover. The album features
Duke, his piano, and orchestra at the Bal Masque—the supper club at the
Americana Hotel in Miami! Picture it—the early ’60s, Cuban cigars are
legal, Camelot has just begun. Duke digs the gig, the audience loves the
Duke, everyone is ecstatic, it’s the atomic age...duck and cover.

Listening
to this classic vinyl with the Wilson Benesch Analog (review to appear
next month) and other reference cartridges, I heard all of the DR’s best
qualities displayed in glorious harmony. Ellington’s piano was
illuminated, resonant, quick and strong, rainbows of color spraying
effortlessly from his fingertips. The orchestra was set out in a large,
airy sonic construct, very transparent. Deepest bass up through the mid-
and upper bass was totally acoustic, tuneful, tight and on time.
Transparent and lithe as well; very "sportif," as K-10 put it.
Transitioning to the midrange was accomplished seamlessly and without
frequency-related aberration. The well-developed midrange was plush and
velvety. Transitioning to the highs was once again accomplished without
drama, the top end open, joyous, and soaring. I found myself leaning into
the music just for the pleasure of it. There was always an inviting
clarity that never devolved into euphonic smarm, come to paint in warm
and luscious tonalities. No, the DR delivered information in a manner so
linear and complete that, for the most part, it transcended the
barriers of time and place.

It is best to call
David and to visit my Showroom on line @ www.weinhartdesign.com and
CALL with questions in Los Angeles Showroom from 11-4PM @ 310-472-8880
or on my cell after hours and weekends from 10-10 @ 310-927-2260 or
e-mail me directly at [email protected]

Weinhart
Design has lots of other items new and used and if you’re in Los Angeles
or visiting please accept my invitation to experience our World Class
Audio Showroom (BY APPOINTMENT) and please visit our web site @
www.weinhartdesign.com

We are always interested in
purchasing quality Audio and Video items, CD & LP collections and
most quality trades are welcomed.

All sales out of
California are California State Sales Tax exempt. California 9% State
Sales Tax applies for items picked up or shipped to a California
address.

We accept payments by Bank Wire Transfers
without fees and is the only form of payment on all sales out of the
U.S. and Canada. We prefer this method of payment and also makes
shipping to addresses other than billing agreeable. VISA, MC and Papal
are gladly accepted within the U.S. and Canada as long as the charge is
approved and shipping to the billing address on record and adds 3% to
cover costs.

Please call me directly in my world class
showroom in Los Angeles weekdays 11-4 @ 310-472-8880 or on my cell
including weekends from 10-10PM @ 310-927-2260 and I can answer your
questions and help you with all of your new and pre owned needs.

Making Audio Systems better one system at a time,

            
 David Weinhart
Weinhart Design, Inc.
President & CEO

e: [email protected]
www.weinhartdesign.com

The Audio and Video Expert
2337 Roscomare Road, Studio #1
Los Angeles, California 90077

Showroom) 310-472-8880
Cell) 310-927-2260