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One result of rearranging all the equipment of the room into three discrete systems (the fourth one is downstairs) was that the analogue front end moved away from between the large speakers to one side of the room. Here again we had two options to get music to the speakers - long speaker or low-level cables. Because we regularly switch equipment, the most convenient option was to go for long interconnects. That way the power amplifiers could be close to the speakers. Now the Trafomatic Kaivalya monos sat brotherly on the same shelf as the Ncores. For the long interconnect we again contacted Hayashi-San. This time we asked for a 10-meter Nanotec #207 RCA cable because the Trafomatic Audio tube amps only accept single-ended signal.
When the second package from Tokyo arrived a few days later, we dressed the newcomer smoothly to the other side of the room. At the amp side we swapped speaker cables from the Ncores to the Kaivalyas. Ditto power cables. After connecting the Trafomatic Reference One preamp to its stable mate amps, it was 'action' for the analogue system. Music as we played from our streaming source is not available on vinyl. Playing vinyl is a completely different ball game.
There’s fun in selecting the big discs from a record collection, carefully extracting an LP from its sleeve and placing it on the turntable. Then gently caress the shiny black surface with a clean duster before lowering the needle and walking back to the listening seat. There one enjoys some 20 minutes of aural bliss before having to get up to turn the record over, wipe it gently and let the needle do its job once more.
Again we allocated some time to let the cable settle in whilst playing more or less background music. When serious listening came due, the impression of the digital set made a rerun. This cable too introduced no audible artifacts we could isolate. Over these long transmission lines the sound remained intense and well balanced. Instrumental tonality stayed put without any alteration. Large orchestral works—it’s amazing how well a superior single driver can perform—were involving and all orchestral members locked in time and tune.
Seven years ago we took on the task of comparing 10 interconnects. What we learnt from that exercise was that interconnects do exert a noticeable influence on the final sound quality. In that comparison we assessed lengths of about 1 meter in various price ranges from €300 to €6.000. In the conclusion of that article we had predicted that amorphous conductors would be the future. In hindsight we were wrong. Production of amorphous metals is simply too costly. Fearless companies like Siltech tried. It would jolt the price levels of audio cables to even more stratospheric heights.
Nanotec Systems’ clever way of exploiting nano particles and their relentless efforts to produce affordable high-quality cables seems the correct path forward instead. With the Music Strada #207 they offer a cable which very effectively rejects electro smog even over greater than normal lengths whilst its sonic influence is so evenly spread across the audio range that its presence isn't noticeable as any signature or action. Besides shielding and filtering characteristics, timing is the third major field of influence a cable acts upon. Transient response and tonality are the common victims whenever a cable suffers group delay issues. Not so the #207. External mechanical influences like vibrations are properly damped in a simple yet clever fashion by using cheap cotton strands. Another simple but highly effective measure to counter stray electrons arises from the PE insulator sheathing both leads in electrically conductive PVC. Combined the Music Strada #207 line-level cables offer fantastic tonal balance, wonderful transparency and unfettered speed!
Condition of component received: Excellent. Reusability of packing: Many times over but who'd want to part with these cables? Website comments: Like the products - simple but efficient and in English. Completeness of delivery: Perfect. Included everything necessary. Pricing: So low it's actually hard to believe it’s true. Human interactions: Outstanding. Remark: With the MS #207 Nanotec continues to prove that top high-end quality is possible without outrageous price tags. Highly recommended even for longer lengths.
