NEW Cerious Technologies Upgrade - Graphene Matrix Cables
I just got back from Bob’s after trading in a blue GE pc for a Matrix pc that is powering my integrated amp. Right off the bat there is more clarity and detail and spaciousness with not a single hint of harshness. I’m pretty impressed already and Bob says they’re only half way from where they’ll end up. I told him I’d be happy if the Matrix pc never changed but I guess I’ll have to endure more improvement. :) If I’m just getting a smidgeon of what Lance is hearing then I can see trading in the rest of my GE cables at some point down the road. My short time with just the one Matrix pc on my amp and I’m feeling and hearing like this is the way a stereo system should be. Naturally detailed and musical, dare I say organic or analog.... I’ll chime in after few days and reassess. Well done Bob! |
I've had my Matrix pc for about two weeks now with maybe around 100 hrs on it. It's powering my integrated amp that's all tube with big 845's so I don't like to leave it on all day but so far it's definitely a big improvement over the blue GE cable that I had before. There's a whole level of realism that is reached while still remaining natural that just makes for an awesome experience. I plan on adding two more pc's next month for my dac and coming form the wall to my power conditioner. I always like to try these new pc's on my tv to see if they improve picture quality like they do audio and the Matrix is the best I've seen yet. Before I placed it on my integrated I tried it on my Panasonic tv and noticed a more detailed but yet more natural picture that was really addicting and hated that I was going to unplug it to use on my amp. My previous tv cable champ was a Furutech DPS-4 that outperformed a blue GE but the Matrix is quite a bit better than both of those. I'm amazed that these improvements in picture quality correlate with what I hear on my amp- more detail and more natural. Anyway, looking forward to hearing how the Matrix ic's and speaker cables are doing for you guys. |
@lak Yes, I did try the DPS-4 on the tube integrated and while it is good the Matrix had much better definition and detail without losing any musicality. I can see though where some would be content with the DPS-4 as it doesn't do anything wrong really but when compared side by side with the Matrix it sounds a little smeared with some sibilance. I'd like to revisit it on the amp for another comparison though just to confirm. What ic's are you currently using? |
@maxima95 Good question. I have the Chinese knock off version of the rhodium plated carbon connectors on my DPS-4. I did use the Furutech nano liquid on the wire. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Set-Copper-Rhodium-Plated-US-AC-Power-Plug-Carbon-Fiber-Connector-Adapter... The Furutech NCF’s are probably better but how much I don’t know. I’ve had the NCF connectors on another cable that had previously used the standard FI-50’s and while the NCF’s were better I didn’t think they upgraded the performance with the amount of extra cost they incur. The NCF receptacles on the other hand are indeed worth the extra price compared to other Furutech receptacles. Just my experience and opinion. |
@littlecx What's your take on the difference between the Mamba V2 and Tunami V2? And have you had a Cerious Tech Graphene Extreme pc before? My Cerious Tech Matrix pc is pretty awesome on both my integrated amp and also when I've tried it on my Panasonic tv. Everything across the spectrum is just great. I ordered a Black Mamba V2 just to see how it fares with the other pc's I've been trying lately. |
The Matrix power cable is just different than every cable I've heard thus far. I'm not sure you can describe it in terms of neutral or warm, it's like in another realm of understanding sound if that makes any sense. It's so real and natural that you don't think about if it's too this or too that. At least this has been my experience so far with just one Matrix pc on my integrated amp and the rest GE cables on everything else. |
I did a quick a/b yesterday with a 308, s022n, dps-4, and Matrix on my Melody AN-845 integrated. Then did one on my Lampi Atlantic Plus dac with the 308, dsp-4, and s022n. On the 308, s022n, and dsp-4 have the same rhodium carbon fiber plugs that I think Mike at Tweek Geek uses as a cost effective option to the Furutech FI-50’s and on the s022n and dsp-4 I grounded the shield only on the AC plug end and have put Furutech nano liquid on the contact wires on all cables, except the Matrix of course. Now it would be much better to let each cable sit in the system for several days and then switch but I know my aural memory would not be so good for the previous cable, I guess I could take notes but I’m not interested in going that far... On both the amp and dac I much preferred the dsp-4 to the 308. Much more natural and closer to the Matrix cable while the 308 to me seems just a little more digital sounding by comparison and can see if one has a warmer sounding system it would fit nicely. The s022n to me kinda falls in between these two and for the price of diy is a great option. Wherever I put the s022n I like it and it’s been one of my favorite cables as but I do think the dps-4 is better but for a lot more money. The Matrix takes everything on the dsp-4 to another level with a lower noise floor and a notch better in realism. I could probably live with the dsp-4 but after hearing the Matrix now I can’t go back. Just me and my ears in my system so all this could be quite different for someone else. These are all great cables and feel it’s just a matter of fit for ones taste and system. I do have a Black Mamba V2 on the way to compare later on. |
Yes I had ordered a Black Mamba V2 but the ebay seller accidentally sent me a Tunami V2 so the Black Mamba is coming but not sure when I'll get it. I have terminated the Tunami V2 and have had it on one of my amps running 24/7 the last few days and last night did a quick A/B with the Furutech s022n and thought it was a little more refined and more natural sounding than the s022n. But I've been told it takes a long time for the Tunami to burn in. It was a little bit of pita to terminate compared to some other cables but not as bad as the 55n. After more time I'll compare to the other cables. |
I misspoke on my previous post somewhat. I had ordered two Black Mamba V2 cables from two different vendors on ebay and the first cable that arrived was a Tunami V2. The seller has since shipped me a replacement BM but it hasn't arrived yet. The second vendor's BM arrived yesterday but haven't had a chance to terminate it yet so it may be a little while to get a good sense of what it can do. I'll say so far the Tunami V2 on one of my amps and s022n on my preamp sounds pretty good together. I have put the Matrix pc on my Panny plasma and am really digging what it's doing. Best picture I've had of any pc to date. |
I think yoby here had ordered and received a Matrix pc with the stock connectors and one with the NCF’s. I’d be curious what he thinks now after having both if the NCF connectors were worth the extra cost. Of course he could have already had them and just sent them to Bob to install but none the less it would make for a great follow up comparison. |
I picked up a set of NCF connectors for about half price from a dealer here on Agon to put on a DPS-4 cable and while they’re great and probably the best connector available I still feel they’re overpriced. They definitely improve the quality of the DPS cable but compared to the Matrix with stock connectors I prefer the Matrix. They’re both excellent cables and can see it just coming down to the individual system and personal preference but with Bobs trade in value the Matrix is a no brainer. I had both cables on my Melody AN845 and Lampizator Atlantic dac. Currently have each component with a Matrix and Matrix sc’s to the speakers while having a DPS-4 on the 1800 conditioner that feeds both units and I’m getting tremendous sound. I agree with ozzy that the DPS has deeper fuller bass than the Matrix but the Matrix just has an uncanny way of detailing the music without any glare or harshness that makes it easy to listen to. I think the DPS has a deeper and warmer all around sound, some would say organic, and can see depending on the system some could prefer it. Would love to get more Matrix pc’s but it might be a while before I do :( |
@yoby Wow, good to know about the FI-28 R. I usually get my bulk cable, at least the Furutech, from Chris at VH Audio. He’s always got good prices and ships fast and is a pleasure to deal with. I’m wondering if the contact openings on the FI-28’s are large enough to take the wire from the Matrix? They should be similar to the NCF’s, you think? |
That’s funny Bob you mention that some of the knock off connectors are being made better than other name brands. When I received the set of Furutech NCF’s and started to terminate them my first thought was how much cheaper they felt in my hand compared to the Chinese knock off FI-50’s I’ve been using that someone here shared (I believe it was lak). https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Set-Copper-Rhodium-Plated-US-AC-Power-Plug-Carbon-Fiber-Connector-Adapter... The knock offs seem easier to work with as well. To me these cheap versions are on par with the standard Furutech FI-50’s whereas the NCF’s are clearly superior sounding with their nano crystal formula being the difference but for $500 to $700 more depending on where you get them. |
