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AudioArt Statement XLR Cable Impressions.

I am of the opinion that cables make a difference with sound quality, at times drastic, at times subtle, but always different.  What I will describe as the difference between the AudioArt Statement and WyWires Platinum is in my opinion drastic, and consistent with design philosophy and technology.   Which is right is subjective and dependent upon your view of how reproduced music should sound compared to live acoustic music.  

I was looking for a new XLR cable to go from my DAC to a Goldpoint XLR switch and from the switch to a new Burson Soloist Stellar head-amp.  My existing WyWires Platinum would go from the switch to the integrated amp.  The AudioArt Statement was chosen for the critical position from the DAC to switch, the position that would “tune” the downstream system.  

WyWires Platinum (company out of business due to untimely death of owner) is a high purity copper Leitz configuration with an air dielectric designed for extreme clarity, speed, sharp leading transient edge, and resolution.  As such, it has lean harmonic structure, excellent imaging focusing on separation of images and air between images, detail resolution, and micro dynamic resolution.  I have a system that focuses on these same attributes, and I much enjoy this type of presentation.  

The AudioArt Statement uses OHNO Single Crystal Continuous Cast 7N Copper, in a hybrid array of pure copper and graphene and polypropylene dielectric.  The design intent focuses on rich harmonics and palpable image density.  This creates images that are more palpable, with greater depth in both imaging and staging, but with rounder edges that are flowing and liquid. The transient edges are not as sharp.  The overall timbre is denser and more natural.   It is not as laser focused however highly detailed in a different manner, focusing on harmonic detail as opposed to sharp, fast transient detail.  Bass more powerful and better primarily harmonic decay.  You can hear the growl better. Better macro dynamics not micro dynamics.  I had to reposition my speakers to adjust for the new level of bass and dynamics.   I also, and I do not know why, had to turn down my DAC output to better stack with my integrated amp input tolerance to lower distortion.  After doing so sound became more liquid and balanced.  Perhaps capacitance differences?   Not technical so I cannot explain the audible effect of lowering DAC output due a cable change   

Conclusion: 

The AudioArt Statement, with differences noted, in this critical position has tamed my system, bring my system closer to my memories of orchestral performances at Carnegie Hall with it’s wonderful warm but detailed acoustic.  Which presentation is right cannot be answered.   It has a very high performance/price ratio.  I am very happy with the differences it made.  
 

 

jsalerno277
zlone
1,319 posts
 

Great write up, thanks for posting. I am currently in the same mode, voicing my system with a new set of speakers that respond to every change that is made. I am about to experiment with some diy super lightweight interconnects that might be more like your WyWires. Once I find what I like I will probably invest in some that are professionally built. 

On a side note, I have also been trying out different power cords, and have found that changing cords on my DAC can have a profound effect on the sound. 

jsalerno277 OP
489 posts
 

@jsalerno277 While it may appear counterintuitive, I also have found high quality power cords have a profound effect on digital front end equipment, more so than on amplifiers.   Don’t read me wrong, there is a positive effect on amplifiers, but the difference is in degree. This again can be explained as simply physics, not just related to unrestricted and instantaneous current demand as in amplifiers, but more so related to EMI shielding and dielectrics.  Digital front end equipment produce and are affected by EMI.  Internal clocks, processing stages, reference voltages, ground planes, low current analogue output stages are all affected by both EMI and/or current fluctuations.   Here is where a high quality cable design for low current digital front end equipment has its effect - the dielectric affects capacitance, signal speed.  The shielding (physical and/or wire geometry) creates a Faraday cage to prevent EMI.  So your observation is simply physics. Since EMI enters  a circuit at the weakest shielded point, it is important to use well shielded cables on all equipment in the circuit.  Using a power conditioner or regenerator compounds the effect.  

Note, the difference with AudioArt in greater macro dynamics, denser images and harmonics, slightly less transient speed, and not as etched clary, detail, and image edge is probably due to the core conductor configuration and dielectric design choices between companies.  

zlone
1,319 posts
 

I follow your thinking, but did not understand the statement that using a power conditioner or regenerator compounds the effect. In a positive or negative way? I use a regenerator with good results. 

As for my DAC experience, all cords that I tried were fully shielded, but varied in their wire composition and orientation, with the silver clad copper providing the better sound. 

996turbo911
205 posts
 

Thanks for the write up. Audio Art cables have always been enjoyable in every system I've heard which uses them. They may not be the best in every case (no cable is universally best) but will give solid performance for a fair price. Which is why I recommend them often to friends even if I don't currently use them myself. Definitely one of the best brands out there in my opinion. 

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