ECHOLE LIMITED EDITION RCA PHONO & XLR CABLES…The Crucial Conduit?!

The review continued with James Chin of YL Audio, Malaysia brought over Echole Limited Edition Balanced XLR Interconnect (to my Vitus Mono Amplifier MP-M201) and Phono RCA Interconnect (to my Kronos Reference Phono Amplifier).

.

Here, I have ‘almost totaled’ my audio system with Echole Limited Edition cables except, from the FM 268C preamplifier to the BSG Technologies Signal Completion Stage that maintained the Skogrand Tchaikovsky 6 meters XLR interconnect, and from the Kronos Reference Phono Amplifier to the FM 268C that maintained the Vermouth Reference 3 meters XLR interconnect.

.

.

After some sensational audio experiences with the Echole Limited Edition Power Cords and Speaker Cables, I asked James, ‘What more could I expect from their interconnects?’ He politely replied me that I would enjoy more measures of the same attributes. I did not tell him then but I was hoping for more…revelations into my music.

.

Upon connection of the Echole Limited Edition XLR Balanced Interconnect (hereinafter referred to as Echole LE XLR, US$22,000 per meter pair), I was invited into blacker background,…a much quieter background,…as if another veil over the musical content, detail and presentation was removed (i would never have guessed that there were still be veil[s] over my music[?]).

.

I played the vinyl record reissued 45 rpm of Diva Tsai Chin’s “Chris and Friends” (Better Music BM19005L45), that proved the above mentioned findings. I would add that her voice sounded younger, more vibrant and more controlled. There was more intricacies, nuances, and intimacy in her vocalization…even her breathing, whether through the noise and/or mouth was audible…sensational. Not to mention that it was clearly audible the difference of distance between her mouth to the recording mike. Therefore, I would unapologetically said, expect audible vocal contents unheard of…re-familiarization of (new) contents. However, I did not find any tonal shift in the vocalization…it was just more contents!

.

When it came to musical instruments, such as the piano played by Simon Cosgrove at the track ‘Snow Flakes’in “The Dancing Girl From Izu” (RHYMOI MUSIC RMLP-041), which covered a wider frequency range, I found that there was ‘audible prominence‘ in presenting the notes,…and clearer difference, and distance between different note. Therefore, the audible difference in energy dispersion and extension of each note made listening include understanding the music, and knowing the respective artistry, mannerism and style of the musician(s),…ultimately, I got to better enjoy my music!

.

Here, to me, the audible prominence of each note was the result of clear delineation, and seamless connection of the frequencies from the lowest to the highest. In other word, the introduction into my audio system the Echole LE XLR effected non-overlapping between the frequencies. Thus, pace, rhythm and tempo (PRaT) was equally improved with the effect of more defined, articulate, accurate and impactful bass attack and slam, as experienced in“The Sheffield Drum Record” (Sheffield Lab 14).
.

.

.

Finally, we put in the ‘last available pair’ of the Echole Limited Edition Phono RCA Interconnect (hereinafter referred to as Echole LE RCA, US$12,000 per meter pair) from the Black Beauty 12″ Tonearm at the Kronos Pro Limited Production Turntable, to the Kronos Reference Phono Amplifier.
.

.

First impression was that of the ‘gained transparency’ that revealed more layers, textures, dimensions, details, and nuances, even of the same content. Back to the above mentioned album, “Chris and Friends” (Better Music BM19005L45), I noticed that there were more audible details and presence of the Diva’s mouth, lips, nose, breathing, movements of air and energy around her mouth and nose, and around her head, the air within the recording room, the musician(s’) interaction with the instrument and the Diva,…(seriously, that was not the exhaustive list of what I heard and experienced with the addition of the Echole LE RCA…).

.

.

If I am to illustrate further, I would add that there was ‘marked improvement‘ in ‘audible prominence’ (as above), especially in the control, definition and coherency throughout the bandwidth. That resulted in vividness of each tone to bloom from a source of origin to its intended outer most. The double bass sounded and imaged in proportionate scale, size, and life-like. In addition, the sound, tone, vibrancy and energy were audibly emitted from the length of the string(s), as experienced in “The Dancing Girl From Izu” (RHYMOI MUSIC RMLP-041).

.

.

My exploration of what is possible for my audio system with the Echole Limited Edition cables have to come to a halt…that is all that James has in its personal collection…sad.

.

Finally, I wish to add that the addition of the Echole LE XLR and the RCA did not alter the tonal color or characteristic of the total presentation. Whatever ‘attributes’ that I have experienced and enjoyed from the other Echole LE cables in the audio system remained. However, the addition of the Echole LE XLR and the RCA brought about ‘marked improvement’ over all the earlier ‘attributes’.

.

.

To extend the stay of the Echole LE cables in my audio system, I will be doing another article, “AN ALMOST ECHOLE LIMITED EDITION CABLE’D SYSTEM!”…but James cannot be living without his audio system running!

.

Therefore, it has to be concluded here…

.

After some months (and more months due to the Corona Virus Covid-19 Virus Movement Control Order) living with the Echole LE cables in my audio system, I found myself relearning the potential of my well tuned in audio system (which I thought I knew my audio system some time ago?).

.

Thus, I found myself repositioning (a bit) again, my four towers of Gryphon Audio Kodo loudspeakers system.

.

.

I admit that the almost complete Echole LE cabled audio system did not alter the coloration and character of the ‘earlier’ audio presentation. However, all the ‘goodness’ that I have been experiencing through each Echole LE cable added have been upgraded a notch.

.

Here, I could hear clearer each positive attribute brought forth by each Echole LE cable added. In other word, there was higher transparency to the attributes gained.

.

The higher transparency also exposed a higher level of coherency between the frequencies which resulted in a more complete and wholeness of any tone.

.

The positioning and separation of the tone were more vivid and spaced. Thus, the direction and movement of the tone from any musical instrument in any position within the soundstage were vividly presented.

.

Therefore, the flow of the ‘right’ musical presentation was more apparent. However, what impressed me more was how fluid, smooth and seamless that flow of presentation was. Such attribute was most apparent in the playback of a good classical recording or a fast pacing Big Band music.

.

I did find that the more Echole LE cables in my audio system, the more I played complex musical presentations. That was not an intended playlist to begin with for the review or most of my listening sessions. I believed that the multiple Echole LE cables in the audio system that resulted the higher transparency, ‘un-complexed’ the complex musical presentation. Those complexities in the music were given more space,…layers peeled,…congestion cleared,…etc.

.

Therefore, I was able to spaced out a bit from my previous position of the Gryphon Kodo loudspeakers and yet able to enjoy similar density and palpability in imaging, depth and detailing.

.

.

The sound quality gained from the Echole LE cables was never the foremost question here. It has always been affordability.

.

Many would argue that there are many branded cables at the Echole LE price point that claimed to be the best by one too many reviewers. I would not argue with them but, at the very least, I would recommend that any committed audiophile with that deep a wallet should give the Echole LE cable(s) a listen in their own audio system.

.

Check out the website: www.echole.com

.