Intro
Contents
Professional audio equipment and the cables used are often affordable, aim for a neutral sound and are marketed without much fanfare. In this review, we look at three cables with studio origin, finished with RCA plugs.
For our reviews, we look for cables that reveal everything that is good – or not so good – about the equipment, whilst contributing as little as possible in terms of colouration or emphasis. Extensive testing and measurement of cables by Alpha Audio has shown that cables are not neutral; rather, some cables have more of a ‘distinctive’ character than others.
I use the Core Function cable from Chris Cables as one of the cables I use for reviews. The cable performed well in our huge comparison of interlinks in terms of balanced sound, and the price is unlikely to put many people off. We all use Grimm TPR, usually with XLR connectors, but the Kora amplifier only has RCA sockets. It is a lovely, affordable cable that is not fussy about the equipment it is connected to. Ideal for review work.
The Chris Cables cable is a Sommer Stage 22 microphone cable. Grimm TPR is designed for studio use. A Sommer Epilogue cable has recently been added to my collection. Whilst it is specifically aimed at the consumer market, it is based on a cable designed for studio use. How do these cables compare? Time for a test.
The cables
The cables being compared can all be ordered online. Prices quoted are for 1 metre of cable:
- Chris Cables Core Function (Sommer Stage 22 cable) with Amphenol plugs. Available via Marktplaats, amongst others, for €60.
- Grimm TPR with Amphenol plugs, available via Magna Hifi for €82.
- Sommer Epilogue with modified Hicon HI-CM07-SE / ALU RCA plugs, available through Thomann for €119.
Hi,
Thank you for this comparison.
Just to let you know, the Grimm TPR cables have recently been modified. The RCA plugs are now sourced from a different supplier, are shorter and are stamped ‘Grimm’; the small capacitor that used to connect the negative terminal to the shielding braid on one end has disappeared – was this an oversight or a deliberate choice?
If your question is about the connection of the shielding, you should ask the seller. As far as I know, Grimm provides cable and Magna Hifi adds the connectors.