The influence of shielding and insulation on interlinks

The sound...

We tested the interlinks between the Sonnet Pasithea and the Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier. This drives the Pass Labs X150.8 which in turn drives a pair of TAD Evolution 2 loudspeakers.

Differences?

Is there an audible difference between the cables? You bet! It is no doubt a subtle difference, but the differences are audible-and reproducible.

The version without any ‘opschmuck’, so just the conductors through the Teflon tubes, sounds definately pleasant. This is clearly good silver. It is open, fast and nicely balanced. The sound is a touch fresh perhaps. But certainly not toward the edge. Many an enthusiast can live just fine with this cable.

If we then move to the version with copper shielding, we immediately hear that the stereo image becomes a bit smaller. But the focus is tighter and more defined. The bass and midrange also feels a bit richer. So in terms of sound, it’s richer, but some air does disappear.

The version with RF cloth shielding is in between: the image is larger than with the copper shielding. But perhaps a fraction smaller than without shielding. However, the focus is sharper and more blackness can be experienced. The tonal balance is also richer and more in balance.

Finally, the versions with Aerogel. The insulation we were testing. Is it suitable for cables? No… very simple. This is absolutely unsuitable for cables. The energy in the treble area disappears immediately. It sounds really stale… Partly because of this, everything feels a bit stuffy and also a bit out of balance.

Now the version with the teflon tubes is clearly better than the version without the tubes, though. But all in all, it’s not a path to follow any further.