The Sound
Contents
We tested the Yeti Silverlink V2 alongside an Audioquest Yukon (about 600 euros for 1.5m) and Grimm TPM (about 600 euros for 1.5m, succeeded by SQM), among others. This is to determine where the Yeti Silverlink stands.
We have had the Silverlink V2 in the office for quite some time. Feel free to ask us why a review of it hasn’t appeared before: we don’t know. That just happens sometimes. The fact is: we were able to form a pretty good picture of the cable, as quite a few hours of background music went through this pair of interlinks. Although we must also confess that we do not listen to this system very often attentively; the bulk of tests are done on the main system.
The nice thing about switching systems sometimes, is that you can be surprised again by more “down to earth” hi-fi systems. The main system totals – with all cables and filters, etc – around 90,000 Euro (yes, we were shocked too, to be honest…. we are even a bit embarrassed).
This “small” system costs around 9,000 euros with all the bells and whistles. That’s a significant difference! Is it 10x less good? Absolutely not! This system plays wonderful music and manages to win us over in every way. Of course it doesn’t have the scale and bandwidth of the big system (especially in the bass area), but it just pulls you into the music and manages to put a smile on our faces without effort. And that’s what it’s all about… This was a valuable lesson we needed (again)…
The Yeti Silverlink V2
But back to the Silverlink V2 for a moment. Because that’s what this review is all about. As mentioned, we were able to put both a Grimm TPM and an Audioquest Yukon next to it. We tested the cables between the Hypex Pre- and Power-amp.
The difference in sound between these three is pretty obvious pretty quickly. The Audioquest is a bit more “robust” and mid-focused than the other two. We recognize this in other Audioqueset cables as well (except the Zero-tech models). The Grimm TPM is – as expected – quite neutral and manages to hit a fine balance. Rhythmically, that cable is also quite strong. It’s an Alpha reference for a reason.
The Yeti is a bit softer in sound. The highs are very smooth and yet very loose. The mids are a bit ‘tamer’ than with the other two cables. The bass is finely balanced and contains more than enough resolution to allow the various nuances and layers to be heard.
Precision
Now it’s funny to note that this cable is coaxially constructed and is also shielded. We think we can hear that compared to Yeti’s unshielded cables. Those tend to play a bit “bigger” and perhaps looser, but also a bit less precise. The Silverlink V2 is very precise and focuses spot on. That is the advantage of shielding and also the coaxial construction of this cable. An ordinary, unshielded twisted pair cable just plays very differently in that respect, in our experience.
All in all?
The Yeti Silverlink V2 comes along fine in the playing field of 699 euro interlinks. The strength of this interlink lies in its conversational nature: nothing really goes wrong with the Silverlink V2. The whole thing flows very nicely through the Sonus Fabers. It also plays very fluidly and pleasantly. No sharpness, no clutter, not intrusive.
The competitors we put next to it do things mostly differently. Not so much better or worse. Different.
In short: this Yeti Silverlink V2 interlink will do an excellent job in many systems.