The Usurper - It's finally happened

Anyone of the "cable denier" persuasion may as well leave now.

For the rest of you, I'd like to introduce you to the cable that has finally usurped my own Spotfire cable.

The SAEC-1980

There is a Caveat though, which I will detail a little later.

The cable type (Triple C/EX) was brought to Angus' attention by forumite "JohnG"

He took a pair to be re-terminated from XLR to RCA and whilst at Angus's, they compared them to the Spotfire.

Angus contacted me later that evening to suggest we try a pair as he felt they were worth further investigation.

With that in mind, Angus ordered a 1.8m pair and brought them up. We substituted a pair of cables for the SAEC between the TT and the Phonostage, and sat there slack-jawed.

The difference was clear. So clear that when we discussed it, we both spoke of hearing the same thing. If it were imaginary, then we both imagined the same thing.

For me, the Spotfires always excelled at transparency and neutrality, but there's were a step beyond that. The vocalist on the track we listened to for instance, I felt like I seemed to not only hear the words being spoken, but to also see the shape of her mouth forming the words. Like the music had taken another dimension.

I know this all sounds a little odd, but in listening to Peter, Paul and Mary, the trall "All my Trials" I noted that the M in "my" seemed to start a lot quieter. Like I heard the beginning way earlier than I had before.

Obviously being unsure about this, I experimented repeatedly and with consistently results, I came to be more confident that the SAEC cables were in fact even more detailed and more transparent.

The soundstage also presented differently.

The vocalist now presented more in balance with the new position of the speakers.

Whereas previously the vocalist seemed to be deeper than everything else, they now stepped out into the forefront.

I realise this may be just one of those things that happens when swapping cables, but it's an effect I am totally sold on.

Today, I added two more pairs of these cables to the rig and I am absolutely delighted to say that the effect of installing one set has been replicated by installing three. I'm not saying I got three equal steps in performance, just that I got improvement with all three added.

So to the Caveat..

The plugs on these cables are shite. Brass, locking types and I absolutely hate any plug that has the ability to rattle.

I have replaced mine with MPS Pioneer RCA plugs and again, I think it's worth the effort as to me, the sound is now stellar.

So, how much do these cables cost?

I paid £218 for a 1.8m pair, then £49 in Vat and another £35 for RCA plugs making these £300ish a pair. HOWEVER, I am going to cut them up into a 1m pair and a 80cm pair, so this will make them slightly cheaper per cable.

The Spotfire cost £175 a pair.

It's hard to say, but if you have the skills to rework the bulk cable in these SAEC's, you'd be MAD not to get them.

These are going to take some beating.