I also feel the Zu Cable Birth was a great value. In my system on my transport, it beats the Shunyata Sidewinder. I also have an Asylum cord and it's OK, I don't think it's that much better than stock cords.
The thing I like about the Zu is the fast bass which has very good extension - better than my Sidewinder. And it's not tizzy bright like the Sidewinder either. If I had to sum it up, I would describe the Zu as neutral with good extension at both ends with snappy dynamics in the low octaves. It doesn't have the rich midrange the Acoustic Zen cables have, but it's not that far off either. That said I admit I am still testing this cable, and these comments come after a couple weeks of use.
Cords I have, in addition to those above, are Acoustic Zen Tsunami and Krakatoa, Kimber PowerKord and a couple homemade ones. The homemade ones were a waste of money and I would discourage the investment in such a project when so many companies offer 30 day trials. It was cheaper to build, but it now sits unused in my den. I suppose you could get luckier than I did.
Another worthwhile investment is a dedicated 12 AWG (or 10 AWG) 20 amp circuit with good outlets, like FIM, Wattgate or Acme. I compared P&S against FIM and in my system, the FIM work much better; more musical. There's a review at Galon Carol's website - www.gcaudio.com...I went with the FIM's before Galen posted his review...so it wasn't a sales pitch that pulled me in. The hospital grade Leviton outlets should be avoided for possible poor performance over the longer term...many reports of degraded sound...and something that I experienced first-hand as well.
-- Greg
The thing I like about the Zu is the fast bass which has very good extension - better than my Sidewinder. And it's not tizzy bright like the Sidewinder either. If I had to sum it up, I would describe the Zu as neutral with good extension at both ends with snappy dynamics in the low octaves. It doesn't have the rich midrange the Acoustic Zen cables have, but it's not that far off either. That said I admit I am still testing this cable, and these comments come after a couple weeks of use.
Cords I have, in addition to those above, are Acoustic Zen Tsunami and Krakatoa, Kimber PowerKord and a couple homemade ones. The homemade ones were a waste of money and I would discourage the investment in such a project when so many companies offer 30 day trials. It was cheaper to build, but it now sits unused in my den. I suppose you could get luckier than I did.
Another worthwhile investment is a dedicated 12 AWG (or 10 AWG) 20 amp circuit with good outlets, like FIM, Wattgate or Acme. I compared P&S against FIM and in my system, the FIM work much better; more musical. There's a review at Galon Carol's website - www.gcaudio.com...I went with the FIM's before Galen posted his review...so it wasn't a sales pitch that pulled me in. The hospital grade Leviton outlets should be avoided for possible poor performance over the longer term...many reports of degraded sound...and something that I experienced first-hand as well.
-- Greg