ISOTEK by Mr.Keith Martin from ENGLAND has been making “award-winning power optimisation products for hi-fi and home cinema systems” since the beginning of the 21st Century (2001). Their products have been well received and acknowledged by many peers in the audio industry, “including among others; ARCAM, DENON, GENESIS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INNUOS, KERR ACOUSTIC, MARANTZ, MONITOR AUDIO, NORDOST, Onkyo, PIEGA, Pioneer, PMC, PRIMARE, ROKSAN and TEAC ESOTERIC“,…and enjoyed by “more than 250,000 customers in more than 55 countries worldwide” (taken from their website).
ISOTEK has just appointed YY SOUND SYSTEMS SDN BHD as their MALAYSIA Distributor,…and enthusiastically they bundled the EVO 3 INITIUM power cord (retail £79 per 1.5m) with the Swiss-Made CH PRECISION P1 phono stage (sent) for review. I could still remembered the giggle from Maurice Han of YY SOUND SYSTEMS and his statement, “Is Pretty Good for the Money“, as he pointed out to me the said power cord.
WHO COULD DENY “PRETTY GOOD FOR THE MONEY”?
The easiest way to try out the EVO 3 INITIUM power cord was to replace it with the recently reviewed TiGLON WHITE TIGER AC at the source, the HIFI ROSE RS150B Streamer (for Tidal). Immediately, there were ‘obvious audible differences‘ in sound quality from the said source, between the two connected power cords (who am I kidding?).
However, as the Latin word ‘INITIUM‘ was used for the said ISOTEK power cord,…it would suggest that the EVO 3 INITIUM power cord was to be the “beginning, commencement or entrance” power cord for a reasonable (or possibly high end) audio component (supposedly to replace the ‘included/ packaged black power cord‘).
Eventhough the EVO 3 INITIUM was not in the same league of Sound Quality (from the connected component) and Build Quality with the TiGLON WHITE TIGER AC,
but it sure was Much, (Very) Much Better in Sound Quality than any ‘included/ packaged black power cord‘!
Playing one of my all time favorite and test track ‘Stimela‘ by Mr.Hugh Masekela,
I found that the presentation of the ‘Live‘ recording to be There and Spot On!
The Airiness of the Soundscape at Washington DC’s Blues Alley, the Individuality of the seven [7] person group within the Soundstage, the Energy and Dynamism of the presentation, and the Distinctness of Instruments played.
At the ‘Level of Enthusism‘ of the Artists at play in the presentation that (for me) could be Audible and Felt,
there was Nothing Much Amissed here, comparatively.
Here, I found the ‘Image‘ of the main artist, Ms.Cassandra Wilson to be Firmed, Steadied and Focused,…and at a Believable Height. In addition, the said ‘Image‘ was cast with
equally Believable Scaled Accompanied Instruments, and within a Believable Scaled Soundstage.
In term of Emotional Content and Artistry of the main artist, there was Clear Audibility of her Delivery, Passion (for the Blues), Style, Sensibility and Pace,…which were easily recognisable as hers.
Here, at the track ‘Lay Down Your Weary Tune‘, it was obvious that the ISOTEK EVO3 INITIUM was a power cord that allowed almost no noise to pass through it.
The background was Quiet,…Jet Black,
there was almost no noise behind and around the voice of the Acclaimed Swedish Jazz Artist, Ms.Isabella Lundgren. Therefore, I could easily enjoy and appreciate the unique enthralling ability of Ms.Lundgren‘s renditions.
I was taken aback by the sheer Delivery of the Low Low Bass at the “Blu Bop”/ Jazz track ‘Flight Of The Cosmic Hippo’ by Mr.Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, an American jazz fusion band.
Where the said Bass was Heavy but Defined and Articulated,
…and also did not interfere with the Treble in Anyway Whatsoever,…
thus maintain a Good Tonal Balance throughout.
NO DENYING FOR THE EVO 3 INITIUM.
In short and summary, there was No Denying that the EVO 3 INITIUM power cord was not the best that I have heard. However, there was equally No Denying of its Value and Sound Quality (from the connected audio component).
It maybe the Least Expensive and Most Important Upgrade Necessary for any Audio Component/ System!
FEATURES.
CONSTRUCTION: The conductors are in a parallel construction with a slight rotational twist. This established technique remains the first line of defence against RFI and EMI rejection.
A) Conductors: 99.9999% OFC conductors offer an exceptional level of purity with enhanced conductivity. They are less likely to fracture or degrade over time.
B) Dielectric: PE dielectric (insulation) is chemically inert and has a very low dielectric constant over a wide frequency range. PE possesses a very high degree of stress crack resistance and a low coefficient of friction making it an exceptional dielectric. PE is a good choice for safety in both temperature and electrical insulation.*
C) Filler: Cotton filler has been used to give the cable internal strength and reduce microphony. Cotton also possesses excellent dielectric properties, the best of a solid material.
D) Wrap: A paper wrap is used to secure the construction prior to the application of a flexible PVC jacket. The addition of the paper and cotton form a buffer with the PVC so as to maintain exceptional dielectric properties.
E) Jacket: PVC is used as the outer jacket to give a high degree of flexibility and mechanical strength.
TERMINATION: Initium cable is terminated using IsoTek’s bespoke Audiophile grade moulded connectors of solid OFC. These offer good performance qualities (90% copper/10% zinc (CuZn10) with robust nickel plating).
SPECIFICATIONS.
| CONDUCTOR SIZE | 3 x 2.0sqmm (AU/NZ 1.5sqmm) |
| CONDUCTOR MATERIAL | 99.9999% Oxygen Free Copper |
| DIELECTRIC | Polyethylen (PE) (AU/NZ PVC) |
| DIELECTRIC CONSTANCE | PE 2.25 (AU/NZ PVC 3.18) |
| FILLER | Cotton |
| PVC BARRIER | Paper wrap |
| OUTER JACKET | High flexibility PVC |
| CABLE POWER RATING | 16 Amp |
| CABLE LENGTH | 1.5m & 3m (no custom length) & System Link 0,5m (AU/NZ 1.5m only) |
| OUTER DIAMETER | 10mm |
| TERMINATION | Nickel plated audiophile-grade connectors |
Suitable for CD players, preamps, tuners, power amps, Blu-ray players, music servers, TVs, soundbars and more!