SP Litz

[Image_Engine]

Hi All
Got the SP litz cable today. Analysis plus and Vovox arent here yet but did a comparo with the the SP and Planet Waves. Before I go any further, is there a reason why the SP's are approx 2.5 (2.8 but being conservative) db lower in the level than equivalent length Planet Waves? That would be a signal loss wouldnt it? And does anyone know the heaviest gauge conductor in the litz array?
Any ideas appreciated.
Regs
Engine

[Image_Engine]

Hi All
Got the SP litz cable today. Analysis plus and Vovox arent here yet but did a comparo with the the SP and Planet Waves. Before I go any further, is there a reason why the SP's are approx 2.5 (2.8 but being conservative) db lower in the level than equivalent length Planet Waves? That would be a signal loss wouldnt it? And does anyone know the heaviest gauge conductor in the litz array?
Any ideas appreciated.
Regs
Engine
^ bump bump bump

[Image_Engine]

Hi All
While I love the value of the SP mics (and congrats for a great job overall with them to all involved) the cables are very dissappointing. Out of the tests, they came well below par for useablility. First was the signal loss but they also really veil and colour the sound; actually rob some of the dynamics. They faired better than a $10 ebay cable but not a lot (though top end was a lot smoother and a bit brighter but bottom quite closed and muddy). Vovox and Analysis Plus rock. Both are amazing but slightly different. Then followed by planet waves (a bit harsher up top and a bit veiled). Then mogami, hosa, SP and generic. Maybe it has something to do with the gauge? (looks as fine as hair!)
The old adage goes; 'You get what you pay for'...
I think the miova cables are worth a look esp for bass guitar too.
Regs to all
Engine

Mics - Neumann 103, Valvet, K2, C1, C4, Blue Baby Bottle, NT1A, NT2 (spaced omni AB) R88. Pres - Liquid Channel, Sebatron vmp4000e. Tests monitored through RME FFace out to ATC T16'. Cables were measured using subjective testing equipment....my ears!!! :-)

[Nik Keefe]

Interesting stuff. I have to say it is a little unexpected, as I've got a couple of Litz cables and haven't experienced the signal loss you've found.

Now, I'm not using the grade of gear that you are, but I can still read numbers off a computer screen and one of the first things I did when I first got a Litz 3-pin about 18 months ago was to see roughly how it compared on stuff like this ... not least because when you don't have the world's quietest preamps and converters, you need to know you're not making matters worse!! I found the Litz cable not to make more than +/-0.1dB difference in what was getting into my DAW over any of the various other cables I had lying around.

A couple of years back one of the guys here did a bit of a test against a more expensive cable, which was reposted on this incarnation of the forum here:
http://www.pmiaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24&highlight=litz

I'd be interested to hear what other people's experiences are!

Nik

[Image_Engine]

Hi Nik
Yeah that article convinced me to at least try them. The signal loss was the main thing at first but remember I was comparing this to a cable twice the value of the SP. I used a mechanical click measured at the same distance and I clicked it three time in succession to ensure an average of signal that was reasonably accurate (hence the conservative allowance). Cable colour is something I can allow for; Ive been doing other testing eg for instruments (bass+elec guitar) and have the AP, fender californian, Dimarzio top of the line, Blue reference etc. In this test the AP were best for bass (much cleaner bottom) but were really bad for elec. In fact the cheaper fender cable was by far the best colour/dynamics for elec! So I think its good to sort them for the different jobs in the same way that mics are appropriated. Its just that the signal loss in the SP sort of killed the dynamics a bit; I suppose you could use it as a natural compressor! Its all about texture and contrast when you paint in the aural medium. Ive got oodles of plugs; Oxford/UAD/Sonalksis/TC blah blah but lately I have been find that it is possible to get the 'sound' right from the source and it sounds so much more robust and high end than adding plugs to it. I mean it; even just switching the transparent oxford eq does something (negative) to an absolutely straight track IMHO.
I wasnt meaning to be negative; just objective about the SP cables and save others the trouble. I really believe the prob is in the weight of the conductors ie too thin.
Regs
Engine