While delivering the Fusion RPS 500 for review, Mr.Matthew Ong of AFC TOP HIFI (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD, asked if I used USB cable and, be interested to review the AB Tech KLAR USB 2.O cable (?) (retail Ringgit Malaysia RM7,999 per 0.5 meter to max 2.0 meter)… after I saw that it came ‘shining‘ (the aluiminium cased USB Isolator) in a ‘hard case‘,…I replied, ‘Sure‘.
Therefore, I did search the web for AB-Tech and discovered it was by Mr.Alexander Bladelius of the Audio Electronics Brand, BLADELIUS. The following was the description of the KLAR USB 2.O cable;
KLAR – USB Isolator.
KLAR which in Swedish means CLEAR is our brand new accessory for high end audio streaming via USB.
“Klar is an isolating cable for high-speed USB 2.0. This isolator, besides from its filter functions, regenerates the signal and completely galvanically isolates signal, power and ground which means all noise is removed and through comes only music.
In the aluminum body milled out of two solid pieces of non-magnetic high-grade aluminum, which is specially designed to keep out any interference, the isolator is molded in a vibration dampening material.
We use high-quality gold-plated connectors for a good and secure connection.
The cable is made with high gauge tinned copper wire, one twisted pair for signal and two separate wires for power. The shielding is done with both aluminum mylar and tinned copper braid. This is then housed with a special thermoplastic material, and finally wrapped in a custom noise reducing sleeve normally used in aerospace, that also provides a luxurious finish for the listeners eyes. But as you might imagine, the real beauty comes from the sound that it provides” (taken from their website)
I connected the KLAR USB 2.0 cable from the Hifi Rose RS150B (mainly Tidal) Digital Streamer’s USB output to the USB input of the Lyngdorf Audio MP60 digital processor. The connected amplifiers were the Linn Klimax Solo, that powered the JBL L100 Limited Edition loudspeakers, with Skogrand Cables’ Markarian 421 Speaker Cables.
“ALL NOISE IS REMOVED AND THROUGH COMES ONLY MUSIC”.
(If) The above statement was accurate,…and that KLAR USB 2.0 was to perform accordingly,…I should be Hearing (more of) the Music (san the noise).
At ‘What a Wonderful World‘ (by Friend n Fellow), it was obvious to me that the KLAR USB 2.0 has…
the attribute to showcase the Airiness, Atmosphere and Space of the Recording Venue.
That also contributed to the sensation of Being Close to the Session with the lead vocalist, Ms.Constanze Friend and the lead guitarist, Mr.Thomas Fellow.
At ‘Grandma’s Hands‘, I got to appreciate the Intimacy and the Minute Details of Nuances, Emotion and Breathing (Technique/ Pattern) in the Voiceation (/ Artistry) of Ms.Friend.
There was that ‘Humanistic Value and Weight‘ thus ‘Naturalness‘ to that recorded voice.
Here, at ‘Pride‘ I was taken in by the display of the Scale, Size and Dimension of the Grand Piano played by Mr.Satoru Shionoya,…which extended beyond the loudspeakers.
Even each note played was presented with the Differentiation in Pitch and Duration.
While the main vocalist, Ms.Miki Imai‘s image was presented at the center of the soundstage,…stood slightly above 5 feet from the ground,…her image was dense, dimensional, palpable, weighted and anchored,…
as if She Stood at the Center and Slightly in Front Between the Loudspeakers in my Audio Den.
Here, I found Refinement and (yet) Articulation at the violinist, Ms.Hilary Hahn‘s play. At ‘Sarasate Carmen Fantasy, Op.25-I Moderato‘,…
it was obvious that I got to Hear and Feel the Artistry
of the violinist,…her play was Warm, Captivating and Emotional,…and…
the Wholeness and Impact of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony.
MUSIC SAN THE NOISE.
The KLAR USB 2.O worked (!) and did ‘remove the noise‘ from the (music) signal between the connected components. Therefore, it allowed (more of) the Native Resolution/ Detail of the Music to be Heard,…
and that Worth the Asking Price for any Discerning Audiophile.
Specifications
High Speed USB 2.0 (480Mbps)
Complete galvanic isolation
Regenerated signal
Gold plated connectors (A-B)
Max load 100mA
Different lenghts are available