I’ve had the pleasure recently to have both the LS-80s and the mixed box of connecting cables. I’m currently using the LS-80s, the power cable on my power amp, and the XLR cable between pre and power. The cables are nicely built, though the tails on the LS-80 are very thin, curiously, thinner than the LS-40s, meaning that I felt that the cable needed supporting to take the strain off it going into the ESL63s.
The system comprises : Primare BD32 disc player; Chromecast via an audio stripper into the preamp’s built-in DAC board; Primare Pre32 with MM30 DAC/streaming board; Primare A60 power amp; Quad ESL63s.
I already own the LS-40 speaker cables, and thought that that was as far as I could reasonably go in terms of expense. The LS-80s are a big jump. In some ways, they are unremarkable, for I found myself just listening to the music, without analysing what I was hearing. That’s their great strength.
Bach’s great Advent Cantatas (BWV61, 62, 36 : Teldec) : The choir was portrayed as being composed of individual voices, rather than a mass, the instruments were well separated and characterful, the ebb and flow of the music was well presented, with lots of micro-dynamics that allowed me to hear how the instruments were being played. It was a performance, not just a facsimile.
Some music was quite different sounding. Weil’s Dreigroschenoper was now obviously performed by a small ensemble, with each instrument clearly defined, although the harmonium seemed to disappear a bit into the mix. What really made the performance interesting was the portrayal of the tone and timbre of the instruments, and, again, the micro-dynamics. Voices were smooth, with lots of vocal detail. The words were easy to hear.
The following day, I added the power cable to the power amp, and noticed some change but didn’t really have time to listen in detail.
Next, I put the XLR cable in and, having just taken the $1 Roon trial, set about listening to what it could source from the NAS via the Chromecast. I was transfixed. A big, fat sound, full of detail and realism. After playing a couple of classical works, I played a Queen track and then let Roon radio run. Everything was attention-grabbing and grin-inducing. Who knew that the Chromecast could be so good ? There’s power, slam and delicacy; grunt, smoothness and realism. It’s a bit like having the band in the room. It’s also the first time I’ve know the soundstage appear to extend to the right and left of the speakers.
I thought my system was pretty well fettled, especially since I started using the Power Inspired mains regenerator on the preamp and disc player, so I wasn’t expecting much. As I type, Roon radio has picked Bohemian Rhapsody. I’ve never heard it quite like this. I didn’t know that the ESL63s could sound so “fat”, either !
A rather inadequate write-up, I’m afraid. In 6 words, then: I think these cables are amazing !