Gold interconnect comparison help

Congrats Paul!! You'll have to let us know what you think after the Hybrids have burned in.

Cheers,
John

Yes, we don't want to start a war here, so let's tread lightly. I have heard Jade Vermeil/Hybrid, GG Extreme/Revelation, Awesound Golden Pyramid and Audio Metallurgy GA-0 in my system.

First off, these are all excellent cables with the distinct sound that one only gets from gold. Secondly, the differences between these gold cables are not as large as the differences between gold and copper or silver cables.

All that said, I prefer the Jade Vermeil/Hybrid cables in my system. To my ears, they present a deeper stage with more space around the players. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea, some prefer a more forward presentation, and that's fine.

You will get many different replies, all claiming their personal favorites.
Unfortunately, the only way to really tell which one is for you is to listen in your own system, and compare them side by side. We can't tell you which one YOU will like better in YOUR system......sorry.
Maybe you should keep your eyes peeled on the classifieds, and see if you can find used ones. These are small manufacturers, and they don't come up for sale often, but they do come up occasionally. there is a 1 meter pair of GG Revelations up for sale now. That way you can compare them side by side in your system. If you like them, keep them. If you don't, you can turn around and sell them w/o losing much $$$.

Good luck,
John

05-25-08: Bobf
john(jmcgrogan2)
If you get the opportunity you should listen to the Gabriel Raptures they offer a lot more space,depth and air.
bobf

Are you offering Bob? :)

Cheers,
John

Thanks for the offer Gary, I sent you a PM.

Cheers,
John

05-26-08: Milen007
I think all the cable is systems dependent. just swapping the PCs (OFC and silver coated copper) amongst the cdp, pre and amp do make it sound different. likewise when i swap IC between cdp and amp. all sound different. i think this hobby really need trial and errors.

Bingo! That's why much of this is pointless. Folks can tell you what THEY like in THEIR system to THEIR ears, but they CANNOT tell YOU what WILL sound best in YOUR system to YOUR ears. Afterall, we are not simply dealing with system synergy here, you have to allow for room interactions AND personal tastes vary too. Too many variables.

It's harder than telling someone what kind of wine they will like best, where only personal tastes are involved, no room/system interactions.

Cheers,
John

I'm just enjoying my first listen with the GG Rapture (thanks Gary), and I agree with Glory completely, it is in an entirely different league than the GG Revelation. By far Steve's best effort to date, and a fabulous cable.

Later this week I will do a A/B between the Rapture and the Hybrid, once I've gotten to know the Rapture a little better.

Cheers,
John

Pdreher, I am using a ARC Ref 3 and a BAT VK-75SE modified by Bob Backert of RHB Sound Dezign running fully balanced with my Verity PE's, not PO's.

As for my opinion, both cables are terrific, and bargains at their price point. The Rapture had better attack of the note, which gave it a stunning clarity quality, especially noticeable on percussion. The Hybrid had a more natural decay of the note, which created a deeper, more 3-D stage, which better allowed me to hear the size of the recording venue.

Tonally, they were both on the slightly warm side of neutral, with the Hybrid being a bit warmer, and the Rapture a bit closer to neutral. The slightly warmer Hybrid gave brass a wonderful burnish hue sound which sounded more accurate to me, but again, the clarity/speed of the Rapture made percussion sound more real.

Just for comparisons sake, I would say the Hybrid sounded closer to the PAD Dominus camp, while the Rapture sounded closer to a Stealth Indra. Two very different sounding cables that will both sound great with the right gear, and may even sound best when combined together someway.

As a note: I never listened to the Rapture throughout, since I run fully balanced and Gary (Glory) does not. I compared these two cables between my Walker Signature phono stage and my ARC Ref 3 preamp. I was still running through a 2 meter balanced Hybrid from preamp to amp with both cables.

Bottom line, both cables had stunning qualities. The Rapture is certainly much better than the previous GG cables I have heard (Extreme and Revelation). I could live happily with either cable, and not look back. I found myself amazed at how two cables could sound so different and yet sound so damn good. It left me scrathing my head I must admit. That's my $0.02, take it for what it's worth.

Cheers,
John

Congrats, I'm glad that you enjoy them. IME, the Hybrid did not change as much on burn in as the Vermeil did. The Vermeil changed dramatically after about 100 hours, possibly due to the plating, I'm not sure.
As I recall, the Hybrid did not change nearly as much. I would say that you get 90-95% performance right away, with a slight improvement after 100-150 hours, mostly in just subtle nuances and hues.

Cheers,
John