CliffB
pfm Member
Hi PFM EWA folks,
following on from our constructive recent posts/threads on EWA LS-80 and LS-40 speaker cables, I am now starting a fresh one to discuss experiences with and technology behind IC-25, as several users of the speaker cables are now inquisitive about the interconnects.
I have used IC-25 since June 2018, when I purchased 2 of the first generation (bright blue) cables terminated with RCA and later in 2020 I bought 2 of the second generation cables (blue braided), one terminated with XLR and the other RCA.
For comparison, I only had 2 older Ecosse interconnects that were around £150 each some years ago, a hand-made cable a hifi mate constructed and a recent QED Reference 40 valued at £100.
IC-25 (1st generation)
The original IC-25 interconnect cable is good, though it did take me a little while to dial into its sound with perhaps just a hint of restraint in mids and uppers compared to the QED at least, but this improved with running-in. Noise floor was lower than other cables and overall it was well-balanced and although more restrained the uppers were less grainy than the other cables to the best of my recollection. Bass initially sounded less impressive than the other cables, but after a while it was evident that it was clean and uncoloured, so probably more satisfying long-term. To me it was a cable that didn't shout out or wow on first acquaintance, but never tripped up and over time its virtues became more evident. It perhaps lacked a tiny bit of excitement, but otherwise was hard to criticise.
IC-25 (second generation)
My initial second generation IC-25 purchase was configured as balanced XLR and so I was able to run it from either my Roksan Blak CD player or Rega Aura phono stage into the Nu-Vista amp.
The new IC-25 gave an immediate impression of a more bold and dynamic presentation throughout and more wow factor compared to the first generation. Not having experienced XLR in my system before, I wasn't sure whether to credit the cable or the fact that it was XLR, which can give better results in noisy environments and on longer runs (neither of which apply). There was a slightly lower noise floor and more clarity evident in the mids and uppers. Bass seemed more extended too.
Then something interesting happened.....I tried the cable initially with my original LS-25 speaker cable and got the above impressions. I got the IC-25 at the same time I was trialling LS-40 speaker and when I wired in the LS-40 there was a more of a leap in performance using the new interconnect. The already low noise floor dropped further and clarity was startling. It seemed to enhance the holographic definition in the soundstage given by the LS-40 and this time, I never noted restraint in mids or uppers like with the earlier cable. The differences in source material were more obvious and the best recordings were just incredible. It was a step up from the original design, to the extent that I ordered another one with RCA terminations to replace one of the two first generation cables I already had.
Once the the second generation RCA arrived, it actually sounded identical to the XLR version to me, other than needing volume correction due to the lower output, so I can only conclude that I was not experiencing the XLR effect, but the cable effect. I have decided to use the RCA set on CD as I do swap out between my Roksan Blak and JS upgraded MF A5 (no XLR connection) and to be honest, my Rega vinyl source is my gold standard source, so I have left the XLR there.
Things only got better when I got my LS-80 speaker cable, where the combination of cables was able to shine even more. I honestly cannot fault the sound I am now getting.
I was not expecting such a dramatic difference in the performance of the new interconnect when partnered with the latest generation of speaker cables (40/80), but there really did seem to be a synergy there, which lifted the performance above expectations from an incremental cable upgrade. That doesn't necessarily feel logical but I clearly remember being taken aback by the increased performance when swapping out the cables, especially in noise floor and clarity around musical elements. Maybe one of the ABC/EWA tech heads can tell me why this is, or that I am indeed going mad!?
So to summarise...the newest IC-25 is a really great cable anyway and seems to release its full potential when partnered with the latest generation of EWA speaker cables. The effect of the upgrade was not as dramatic as the upgrade to LS-80 speaker cable, which was off the scale, but I consider it to be an important upgrade.
It would be great to hear from Colin or Alan about the tech and any other user who can add their observations.
Below are my 2nd generation IC-25 in RCA and XLR terminations.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/9WK3hqZ
genos wallpaper
following on from our constructive recent posts/threads on EWA LS-80 and LS-40 speaker cables, I am now starting a fresh one to discuss experiences with and technology behind IC-25, as several users of the speaker cables are now inquisitive about the interconnects.
I have used IC-25 since June 2018, when I purchased 2 of the first generation (bright blue) cables terminated with RCA and later in 2020 I bought 2 of the second generation cables (blue braided), one terminated with XLR and the other RCA.
For comparison, I only had 2 older Ecosse interconnects that were around £150 each some years ago, a hand-made cable a hifi mate constructed and a recent QED Reference 40 valued at £100.
IC-25 (1st generation)
The original IC-25 interconnect cable is good, though it did take me a little while to dial into its sound with perhaps just a hint of restraint in mids and uppers compared to the QED at least, but this improved with running-in. Noise floor was lower than other cables and overall it was well-balanced and although more restrained the uppers were less grainy than the other cables to the best of my recollection. Bass initially sounded less impressive than the other cables, but after a while it was evident that it was clean and uncoloured, so probably more satisfying long-term. To me it was a cable that didn't shout out or wow on first acquaintance, but never tripped up and over time its virtues became more evident. It perhaps lacked a tiny bit of excitement, but otherwise was hard to criticise.
IC-25 (second generation)
My initial second generation IC-25 purchase was configured as balanced XLR and so I was able to run it from either my Roksan Blak CD player or Rega Aura phono stage into the Nu-Vista amp.
The new IC-25 gave an immediate impression of a more bold and dynamic presentation throughout and more wow factor compared to the first generation. Not having experienced XLR in my system before, I wasn't sure whether to credit the cable or the fact that it was XLR, which can give better results in noisy environments and on longer runs (neither of which apply). There was a slightly lower noise floor and more clarity evident in the mids and uppers. Bass seemed more extended too.
Then something interesting happened.....I tried the cable initially with my original LS-25 speaker cable and got the above impressions. I got the IC-25 at the same time I was trialling LS-40 speaker and when I wired in the LS-40 there was a more of a leap in performance using the new interconnect. The already low noise floor dropped further and clarity was startling. It seemed to enhance the holographic definition in the soundstage given by the LS-40 and this time, I never noted restraint in mids or uppers like with the earlier cable. The differences in source material were more obvious and the best recordings were just incredible. It was a step up from the original design, to the extent that I ordered another one with RCA terminations to replace one of the two first generation cables I already had.
Once the the second generation RCA arrived, it actually sounded identical to the XLR version to me, other than needing volume correction due to the lower output, so I can only conclude that I was not experiencing the XLR effect, but the cable effect. I have decided to use the RCA set on CD as I do swap out between my Roksan Blak and JS upgraded MF A5 (no XLR connection) and to be honest, my Rega vinyl source is my gold standard source, so I have left the XLR there.
Things only got better when I got my LS-80 speaker cable, where the combination of cables was able to shine even more. I honestly cannot fault the sound I am now getting.
I was not expecting such a dramatic difference in the performance of the new interconnect when partnered with the latest generation of speaker cables (40/80), but there really did seem to be a synergy there, which lifted the performance above expectations from an incremental cable upgrade. That doesn't necessarily feel logical but I clearly remember being taken aback by the increased performance when swapping out the cables, especially in noise floor and clarity around musical elements. Maybe one of the ABC/EWA tech heads can tell me why this is, or that I am indeed going mad!?
So to summarise...the newest IC-25 is a really great cable anyway and seems to release its full potential when partnered with the latest generation of EWA speaker cables. The effect of the upgrade was not as dramatic as the upgrade to LS-80 speaker cable, which was off the scale, but I consider it to be an important upgrade.
It would be great to hear from Colin or Alan about the tech and any other user who can add their observations.
Below are my 2nd generation IC-25 in RCA and XLR terminations.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/9WK3hqZ
genos wallpaper
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