The Sound
Contents
It keeps surprising us that the differences between power-cables are so big. With an analogue interlink everyone understands that differences will be audible. After all: an audio signal passes through it. But with a power-cable…?
Realize however that playing music is nothing more or less than modulating energy. The energy that the amplifier ultimately sends to the speaker. That energy comes from somewhere…. And if the amplifier ‘pulls at the mains’ it has to be able to do so without restrictions. And that matters for both at micro and macro dynamics. We are going to do some more tests in this. So rest assured… more research to follow.
Imaging
What is particularly striking – and what is also audible in the samples – is that the stereo image changes. What you prefere or like, we leave to you. In the video three cables pass by: a standard dropveter, the Yeti standard cable and the Yeti Reference. From dropveter to Reference, the stereo image gets bigger and bigger. The only thing that is not very audible in the video is that the focus remains tight.
It also becomes more 3D… voices get space and air. And that is one of the characteristics of high-end. Bringing air into the music. The image that opens up more and more and the ambience of the room that becomes almost tangible.
This is especially pleasant and important in acoustic work where an instrument is more than the notes it plays. An instrument – guitar – piano – etc – lets out a lot of harmonics. And these too can breathe and resonate more on a good hi-fi system. The Yeti Reference lets that be heard more than the standard cable. Which is already not bad in that area by the way. Anyway: the samples speak for themselves… Try it blind…
Kick and timing
Good: imaging is clear. The Reference plays bigger and shows more acoustic texture.
In terms of timbre, dynamics and timing, your author finds it more difficult, as it is much more subtle. The difference between the standard dropveter and Yetis is simple: there is more calmness and tightness with the Yetis. Especially in the bass. But also the grain in the mid and high ranges disappears. Typically something a good power-cable can do.
But a big difference in timing and or timbre between the Yeti Reference and standard is not there, your author thinks. The Reference seems a little more nimble and airy than the standard cable. But it’s subtle in our set-up. Perhaps it will play out differently in other systems.
We are pleased, however, because it also means that both cables do not add coloration. And since your author strives for absolute neutrality, this is a positive point.
The voices in vocal work seem to come forward a bit more with the Reference, so perhaps the midrange is a tad more prominent. Hard to say, because it is mainly an imaging thingy. They are really subtleties. But honestly reproducible. And the same for each track.
What we really like about the Yeti Reference is that it does not take the balance out of the system. It is – in our case – really a ‘drop in replacement’. No crazy stuff. No imbalance. No shuffling of speakers to get back to listening. And that’s actually how it should be. Because a cable that ‘destroys’ the complete balance… that is unacceptable!
Hi there,
excuse the question but when you say “thick – stranded – cores (3 x 6mm2/ 9 AWG!)” do you mean 3 conductors for Live, 3 for Neutral and 3 for ground? or one for each?
thanks
It is 6mm2 per conductor. So live, Neutral and ground are 6mm2 each.