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GuitarStruck
42
Jul 3, 2019
I can't find any serious reviews online. Discussion boards have mixed reviews. Even if they bump up the audio quality a bit, I've vowed to keep my cable costs under 25% of my component costs. Way out of range for my Sennheiser 6XX's. On a technical note, I don't understand the point of using a dielectric in a headphone cable. I heard that the dielectric charge builds up over a few days and that's what provides the audible benefit in speaker cables and interconnects. As soon as you move the cable or disconnect it, the charge goes pfft and you have to start over again. I'm not a physicist so maybe I misunderstood. I've used Cardas for interconnects and speaker cables though and they're pretty magical even at the entry level. Very liquid, sweet, and bring out all the color shadings in the music. Dark background. Maybe not the ultimate in resolution at the entry level, but extremely musical.
(Edited)
GuitarStruckThank you for using Cardas interconnect and speaker cables! I won't argue with your 25% rule for cable costs, some spend more and some spend less. It's just important to land in your comfort zone. We generally recommend our Parsec Headphone Cable for the 6XX, which is considerably less expensive than Clear Light. I think there’s a misunderstanding regarding the use of dielectrics. “Dielectric” is a technical term for what most people refer to as “insulation”. In other words, the non-metal components that go into a cable. These components can insulate the copper conductors from each other, but they also have their own psychical and electrical properties. Some dielectric materials absorb and release a static charge (initiated by the audio signal) faster than others. Some are semi-conductive and hold a capacitive charge. Others are relatively inert, and serve to create a specific distance between the conductors. The dielectrics used in Clear Light are PTFE tape and anti-static fibers. Our friends in the cable business, Audioquest, employ a sophisticated battery powered dielectric charging system on some of their cables. I think you may be under the impression that Clear Light uses such a system, which it does not.
AngelaCM
26
Jul 11, 2019
GuitarStruckAlso the cable is guaranteed for life, and can be reterminated should your primary headphones change.
GuitarStruck
42
Jul 11, 2019
541nativeThanks for explaining dielectrics and correcting my misunderstanding. I didn't realize that different types of dielectrics in cables have different charge properties. I was thinking of capacitative charge btw. From your explanation I infer that the Premium Clear Light headphone cables use inert dielectrics that are designed not to carry a charge. That makes a lot more sense than my explanation.
GuitarStruck
42
Jul 26, 2019
541nativeSince Drop doesn't currently have any Cardas headphone cables, may I ask if there's a significant sound improvement from the Cardas Cross to the Parsec? For a Sennheiser HD6XX. Btw I just installed my old Cardas Quadlink 5C interconnects into my headphone system, and remembered why I enjoy Cardas so much. I bought them over 20 years ago, but they still sound better across the board than the new, equivalently-priced cables I was using from another manufacturer and that have received rave reviews.
(Edited)
GuitarStruckGlad to hear the Quadlink is working well in your rig. The Parsec evolved directly from the Cross headphone cable and is very similar. I would not describe the difference as "significant". Both will be excellent with the HD6XX. FYI we are currently debating about offering the discontinued Cross headphone cable here as a Drop...
GuitarStruck
42
Jul 30, 2019
541nativeThanks for the heads up. I think the Cross cable would hit a sweet spot in terms of price and quality for the Drop community.
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