Review: Purist Audio Design Custom Aesthetix Umbilical Power cord


Category: Cables

This is more a preview than a review. The cable is still breaking in, it's not mine, but in a friends system. However, if you're a Aesthetix owner, you may find this very interesting...

I stopped by Albert Porter's house Tuesday for some listening. He has recently taken his stock umbilical connecting cables off is Aesthetix Io and Callisto and replaced it with a custom designed cable by Purist Audio Designs.

It's similar to the Dominus w/Ferox power cables I own. Apparently the two Jim's at PAD and Aesthetix had to communicate a little on exactly the requirements of the 20+ wires in each umbilical cord. Purist then selected, in their opinion, the proper wire for each function, separated them into 3 bundles, added the appropriate spacers, filled it with their ferrox compound and shipped it to my friend. He says the approx 8 ft umbilical ends end with 350 ft of wire if placed end to end. (Assuming my math skills are correct, he may have meant 350 ft for each two umbilicals per preamp. This new umbilical looks similar to a Dominus power cable from the outside, except for the special din connectors at each end. Of course, it has all Purist's build (umm super) quality as well.

The system is a Walker TT with Koetsu Jade Plat => Aesthetix Io and Callisto both with dual power supplies=>VTL 750s (2 pair)=>Dali Megalines with custom Tube x-over, All Purist Dominus or 20th Anniversary cabling.

I am very famliar with Albert's system. Being a regular visitor over the last 5-6 years. The only change (this time) was the 4 Aesthetix/Purist Umbilicals.

In a word. WOW. Caps on for a reason. The entire backgroud silence he enjoyed before just became blacker than black if you will. Allowing details, spacial cues, imaging and dynamics that is startling at the improvement! Bass deepened. Top end more extended but sweeter. Much much more real if will. We spent the next 3 hours spinning record after record. It's one of those systems that you just don't want to stop listening to. The umbilicals are dynomite.

Several others have heard this recently. Maybe they'll chime in at the improvements they heard.

I personally own Purist cabling, this doesn't suprise me. It's like going from stock cords on your pre-amps to Purist Dominus...ie, a HUGE improvement and something that you could never really want to go back to the stock cabling. Unfortunately for my pocketbook, I think this convinced me to order some more Purist for my system!

Happy Thanksgiving

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Showing 1 response by cmo

Aaaawww Man......... Don't tell me this stuff! OK, OK.... What's it gonna cost me?

Chris