I remembered the day (1989) when AUDIO NOTE KONDO (by the late Hiroyasu KONDO-san) introduced its first “Ongaku” (音楽 translates to “music” in Japanese) tube integrated amplifier (211 or GE VT-4C power tube – 27 watts per channel output) in the UNITED KINGDOM, at the then unprecendented retail price of British Pound £27,000. The frequent questions surrounded that tube integrated amplifier was ‘£27,000 for its 27 watts per channel output!’, and its expensive ‘handmade, heavy pure vintage silver foil capacitors and hand-wound vintage silver-wire transformers‘.
However, undeniably many audiophile were taken in by its ‘Unparalleled Musicality‘ that was hard (or impossible) to duplicate…something special and attractive about that Vintage Silver material…’the Silver Magic and the Craftsmanship/ Artistry‘. Count me in as one of those audiophile since I too own an AUDIO NOTE (UK) Ongaku tube integrated amplifier, and have some experiences with the other AUDIO NOTE KONDO Ongaku tube integrated amplifiers in MALAYSIA and SINGAPORE. To say the least, I am well exposed to the AUDIO NOTE (UK) and KONDO Ongaku’s ‘Unparalleled Musicality‘, ‘The Silver Magic and the Craftsmanship/ Artistry‘.
Interestingly (and the reason for the aboves), at the DAS KLANG (brand and products from Estonia) website that there was the mention of AUDIO NOTE KONDO,…limited production and…stunning results. According to its founder, Mr.Iurii (Yuri) Zamazieiev that the DAS KLANG CLASSIC ANALOG RCA-RCA Cable (retail from Euro €1,226.00) in for review was their entry level cable that also featured their CUSTOM KLE® PURE HARMONY CONNECTORS with EBONY SHELLS (with Natural Ageing Process) and utilised 60 YEARS OLD AGED cable (of Vintage DNA),…for Proven Performance, Unique Characteristics and Sustainability.
Ultimately, all DAS KLANG cables were designed and made as a conduit for (not ‘of’) ‘musical flow and natural, gentle equalisers‘,…for the ‘thrill and intoxication that will remain with the listener forever‘,…not a ‘forgettable perfection‘ or another noise (‘perfectly polished things that often fade into the background‘),…and for ‘Smooth, smooth, smooth‘ sound quality.
In other words, the DAS KLANG cables maybe on the path, journey and destination that reminiscented the AUDIO NOTE KONDO‘s,…on with the review.
“IT’S ABOUT BEING INTOXICATED AND THRILLED BY THE MUSIC“
You either have it or you don’t.
According to the DAS KLANG website, their CLASSIC ANALOG RCA-RCA (hereinafter referred to as DAS KLANG RCA) can be used either as a digital coaxial or an unbalanced interconnect cable.
To be frank, I was not expecting much from the DAS KLANG RCA as a digital coaxial cable. I tried it between the AURENDER W20 Server and the VITUS AUDIO Masterpiece MP-D201 Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC), which were then connected to the FM ACOUSTICS 268C preamplifier, the VITUS AUDIO Masterpiece MP-M201AF mono amplifiers, the GRYPHON AUDIO Kodo Loudspeakers and the rest cabled by SKOGRAND CABLES,…all just to satisfy my own curiosity (since it was stated that it could be used as a digital coaxial cable with positive result). Out of the box and straight to connection between the above mentioned components,…no run in whatsoever by me (unless the cables were already ran in at the factory?)…
the result was ‘Eargasm‘ in the ‘Organic Sense’!
Here, my attention was ‘Unconsciously Drawn‘ to the vocalisation of Ms.Jennifer Warnes, which was unexpected since her track, ‘Ballad of the Runaway Horse‘ has been heavily played through my audio systems, thus always fresh in my memory. The resulted playback of her voice was Rich and Dense,…Well Textured, Layered, Nuanced and Detailed.
The image of Ms.Warnes ‘Stood Full‘ and a ‘Few Feet Away‘ from the rest of the musicians, chorus and effects.
Therefore, her presentation was Highlighted (but not exaggerated in any way unnatural) and Segregated with Clear Delineation as intended for any main vocalist in most recording.
Similarly, I was treated to an…
‘Organic Play‘ (which was not just natural sounding)
at the Bass (the instrument) by the late Mr.Rob Wasserman,…each pluck at the Bass was presented with…
the intended ‘differing’ Vibrato, Dynamism, Transient and Energy.
In addition, there was that captivating presentation of the Dimensions (physical architecture) of the instrument, its Woodiness/ Breathing texture (natural material/ tonewoods used for the said instrument), and the Wooden Reverb and Echo within its resonant chamber.
Then, I connected the other DAS KLANG RCA cable (since I got a pair of the said cable) as a digital coaxial cable between the VITUS AUDIO Masterpiece MP-T201 CD TRANSPORT and the VITUS AUDIO Masterpiece MP-D201 Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC), which were connected to the above mentioned audio system.
Here, I played my usual track of the album, ‘Hedwig’s Theme‘ and found the DAS KLANG RCA as the digital coaxial cable contributed to
the Clarity of Emotional Direction thus Impact of the presentation of the entire Orchestra,…
where I felt the entire orchestra of multiple groups of musicians/ instruments under the conductorship of the legendary American composer, conductor, and pianist, Mr.John Williams, were
presented as if a ‘Single (though sophisticated and complicated) Instrument‘
led by the famed and talented violinist, Ms.Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Next, I connected the DAS KLANG RCA cables as (Left/ Right channel) interconnects between the PIONEER UDP-LX500 Universal player and the PILIUM AUDIO ARES preamplier, which were then connected to the LINN (UK) KLIMAX mono amplifiers and the JBL L100 CLASSIC 75 ANNIVERSARY EDITION speakers.
I played the same orchestra track and liked the way
Each Instrument was ‘Unconfusedly‘ presented,…
Spaced-Out from one another and with Smooth Delineation (nothing edgy). In other words, I found myself being attracted to their contributed presentation of Neutrality, Naturalness, Balance, Non-Edgy Delineation,…
Space and Depth within the Soundstage.
Eventhough the PIONEER UDP-LX500 Universal player was not at the level of sound quality of the above mentioned VITUS AUDIO digital source combo, however the DAS KLANG RCA cables’ attributes were obvious and similar (enough to be recognisable).
Here, throughout the tracks in the above CD album, I found similar attributes with the DAS KLANG RCA cables being an interconnect. I could hear and even sense the…
Palpability of the Instruments
(the classical guitars),
the Organic Elements in the Human Performances
(the clapping of hands, the stomping foot works and the vocalisations), and the
Reverb of the Spacious Recording Venue.
Here, the addition of the DAS KLANG RCA cables put a ‘smile’ on my audiophile face (or heart) as I listened to the famed track, ‘Take Five‘ where I found the instrumentation sounded Bloomier, more Bodied and Warmth,…
and each Note was treated with Life, Roundness and given a Tail End (instead of an abrupt or harsh endings) into the Silence.
Therefore, the DAS KLANG RCA cables breathed…
‘Tube Flavored Sound‘
into an all solid state electronic audio system.
THE DAS KLANG MAGIC.
There was no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the DAS KLANG RCA cables contributed their own Magic of ‘Unparalleled Musicality‘, that put the Organic Sense, Organic Play, Organic Element, Emotional Direction, Life of the Note, and the Spaciousness of Soundstage back into the playback of the musical content.
We may need a little magic in our audio system and setup,…the DAS KLANG MAGIC!