Furutech DSS 4.1 Speaker Bulk Cable

Introduction

Furutech's newly released DSS 4.1 speaker bulk cable is probably the most high-end bulk speaker cable available on the market at this point of time. This model uses a combination of DUCC Ultra Crystallized High Purity Copper (from Mitsubishi Materials Industries) and Alpha-OCC conductors (from Furutech).

Cable geometry is interesting - each conductor bundle consists of a nano crystal formula core (NCF is a proprietary formula developed by Furutech that generates negative ions to eliminate static, and converts thermal energy into far infrared), surrounded with three concentric layers of copper arranged in counter-cyclical windings. The inner and middle layers utilise OCC conductors, while the last layer consists of DUCC conductors. The resultant cable is a heavy and thick cable that is 19 mm in diameter with 11 AWG conductors. The cable is double shielded with foil and copper braid, and finished with a tasteful fabric cover. A diagram of the geometry can be found at Furutech's website. 

Optional high quality metal cable splitters can be purchased from Furutech to give these cables a finished look that would look the part in any setup. My sample cable was terminated in Furutech gold plated banana plugs by the local distributor for Furutech - Project Perfection.

Good and well-behaved snake !

I spoke nicely to this snake. It sat tamely on the floor, with reasonable bend radius. However, it's weight will cause some problems with light bookshelf speakers or amplifiers - be forewarned !

Sound Quality

As I sat down to listen to my system, the snake quietly made it's way over to my listening chair and tightly coiled itself around me. It had an iron grip on bass notes and an authority that really caught your attention. There was also some emphasis on the midbass, which gave the DSS a powerful yet full and wet bass quality.

Midrange had a similarly warm tone with deep staging and a smooth liquid quality. Voices had a subtly full rendition with very little trace of sibilance. You could argue that a bit of inner detail is traded-off here for flattery, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. 

High frequencies were another strong point of the DSS. Detail was reproduced in a clean and extended manner, with plenty of air and shimmer with very tight control over transients - no splash or mess here. Coupled with the outstanding low frequency performance, this was one of those rare cables that did both frequency extremes well with no compromise between the two.

I also liked the the very low noise floor of this cable. Low level details were reproduced with great expressiveness and an absence of grain. Placement of instruments and voices were also outstanding with very precise layering both laterally and depth wise, and very good space around instruments. 

Compared against the competition, the DSS acquitted itself well - in fact, it could run with the best. I felt that with the exception of midrange performance (which I view more as an artistic choice), the DSS could be considered as best in class. Given that the DSS does not carry an exorbitant price tag, you have an absolute winner !

Conclusion

Consider me suitably impressed. Do give it a try - you will not be disappointed ! - Highly Recommended

Furutech DSS 4.1 Speaker Bulk Cable

Price on Application

Project Perfection Pte Ltd

7 Senoko Loop, Singapore 758146
Tel: +65 6756 6522

https://www.pp-distribution.com

Finite Elemente Ceraball - The Return of a Classic

Introduction

Great audio accessories are like classic items, they never quite go out of style. Firmly resisting fashion and flavour-of-the-month things, they are able to withstand the test of time.

Finite Elemente has for many years been one of my favourite and go-to brands for footers. They were are Teutonic as you could get - precision engineered with a no-nonsense approach to improving the sound of your audio system. They were not cheap by any stretch of imagination, but good things seldom are. Besides, the sonic rewards were more than commensurate with your financial outlay.

It was with a bit of sadness then when I heard that Finite Elemente went out of business recently. Fret not - they are now back !

Description

The Ceraball sits at the bottom of the footer range, but some important changes have been made. I happened to have both the first and second generation Ceraball on hand, as well as the current third generation model, so here is a family photo.

The Ceraball has steadily gained weight over the years, just like my waistline. The first Ceraball model weighed 24 grams, growing to 55 grams for the second generation model. The current model weighs a whopping 154 grams. Needless to say, the bulk of this comes from a change of material from Aluminium to Stainless Steel (previously reserved only for higher end models). 

While the second and third generation Ceraball footers look similar, the ceramic ball bearing has also gained in size. Both the first and second generation ball bearing measured approximately 6.3 mm in diameter, while the latest ball bearing measures at 9.5 mm.

For those unfamiliar with the Ceraball, it is made out of two pieces. The top piece rests on a ceramic ball bearing that rests in a recess in the lower piece. The pieces fit snugly, with a small o-ring providing some damping. The Ceraball by itself is not height adjustable although you can level them if you have attached them using the threaded bolts supplied (both M6 and M8 bolts are supplied in the box). You can purchase the Ceraball in either a trio or quartet to a box. 

Sound Quality

I personally thought that both the second and third generation Ceraball footers sounded quite similar. Used under my Totaldac d1-six DAC (7 kg), there was a very noticeable clean-up of the sound, with added precision and focus to imaging and staging. High frequencies gained clarity, while bass was tighter and cleaner. Unlike most footers, the Ceraball is relatively neutral and does not alter the tone of your system too much. 

One key difference between the Ceraball and it's predecessor is bass authority. Perhaps it is the additional mass, but the new Ceraball has a heft and slam that is quite noticeable. If you are looking for an injection of dynamics into your system, these footers are well worth trying out. A more subtle difference is a slight increase in resolution and focus, although this is not a day and night difference.

However, I would still say that the Ceraball lacks the fluidity and organic flow of the Stillpoints Ultra SS which I use as my reference. In comparison, the Ceraball has a drier and more analytical sound. Given that the Stillpoints are three times the price of the Ceraball, this criticism is easily overlooked. 

Conclusion

Given the very modest increase in price, I was very pleased at the improvements that the latest Ceraball were able to bring to the table. They redefine the reference point at this price range and are highly recommended. For outstanding value, they are also a Best Buy.

Thanks to the local distributor for Finite Elemente, Qubes Audio for arranging for my review set. Needless to say, I purchased the review set. 

Finite Elemente Ceraball
Price - S$380 for a set of four, S$ 285 for a set of three.

Qubes Audio
http://www.qubesaudio.com

  

International Sound & Sight Exhibition 2018

Our very own annual International Sound & Sight Exhibition (ISSE) just ended. The show was held between 16th to 18th November 2018 at Parkroyal Hotel. Here is a brief report on the show.

Big rooms first :-

High End Research

The all-new Wilson Audio DAW

Streaming was carried out by an Aurender streamer hooked up to an Orpheus Lab SACD player / DAC and integrated amplifier

Ong Radio

Drool-worthy McIntosh gear

The Mac equipment paired with Opera Grand Callas speakers

Horizon Acoustics

Full Grandinote system. Playback was switched by a Totaldac D1-Seven / streamer and a Grandinote digital source

Close-up of the Mach 4 speakers

When I dropped in, the Grandinote Demone monoblock amplifiers were in play. Cabling was a mixture of Luna Cables and Verastarr. Great system - One of my favourites of the show !

Audioline

Live demonstration of different CD pressings. How about a $2,000 glass disc or a much cheaper Ultimate HQCD press ? Very nice demonstration which really showcased how much difference a pressing could make. 

Really impressive sound from Accuphase electronics and Diapason Dynamis speakers. I adored the various models from Diapason. Boring boxes ? Certainly not here.

TGI Technology

The biggest surprise had to come from these cute speakers. Take a plastic sphere and mount a full range driver with accompanying electronics and battery pack, and you get the Eupho E3 speaker. Connection can be done via Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm minijack or Toslink optical. 

Weighing just 1.6 kg, these speakers sounded remarkably good for their price tag. At $399 for a single speaker (including tripod stand, leather carrying strap and table-top mount), there is no excuse not to get one. Who said lifestyle speakers had to sound bad or break the bank ? And yes, two of these can communicate wirelessly to form a stereo pair. 

On to the 7th floor rooms :-

Advanced Audio Acoustics

The second surprise of the day had to come from these LS3/5A inspired speakers (the JM 3/5A SE. At $750, they sounded really good. Some mention was made of a special deal for the show, and I ran as fast I could before I succumbed to temptation. 

Tritone AV

I sat at front row and predicted a bass boom and poor driver integration given the near-field position and small room. Guess what ? They sounded great - very precise, transparent and dynamic. Makes me wonder why Legacy speakers aren't more popular locally. They certainly deserve to be. I had to check with Mervyn Loh, MD of Tritone to ensure that they were not running any form of room correction software. This gets my vote for best sound of the 7th floor.

Telos Asia Pacific

Project Perfection

Raindrop Audio

Ray Ng of Raindrop has always assembled good sounding setups, and this year is no different. The setup was a mix of SoTM and Ayon equipment and sounded very good. I liked this setup very much. 

Audionote Singapore

Audio 88

To be continued ...