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The Classic Anniversary Series of cables—of which there are the 330, 550 and 770 models—were released by Siltech to commemorate their 25th anniversary. The 550i conductors are a silver/gold alloy that van der Kleij believes to provide the best of both worlds – the incision and detail of silver with the ease and musicality of gold. The topology is a ‘dual balanced coaxial’ arrangement and the insulation material is the mouthful EPTFE Polyimide Air FEP E-Silicon. The 550L speaker cable uses the same materials, coaxial topology and insulation in an overall larger gauge.
Siltech silence. ‘Tis true I say! These cables are quiet... perhaps even 10.000 times more quiet. There’s a stillness and quietude between the notes that aids the perception of low-level detail. It’s that ‘black background’ thing. And in particular with the 550L I could hear minutiae that were smudged or even buried within the sonic presentation or relative noise floor of my usual speaker cables. The same phenomenon as revealed to me during my recent review with the PSC Monolith interconnect. This silent background opens a whole new world of secondary transient detail that rides along and enhances the experience from the primary musical content. And this level of lucidity does not in any way come with a price (usually an excess of brittleness or grain brought forth as the by-product of extra detail).
And another thing – these cables are fast. Or perhaps I should say that music sounds rhythmic and bouncy for want of better words. Bass is on the lean side but possesses punch, terrific detail and nuance and is very dynamic. That slight leanness in the bass regions brings forth a sharp lucidity in the midrange that is spellbinding with vocals and even acoustic guitar. It doesn’t bring the presentation forward or throw detail and presence in your face but just presents a plainly more realistic impression of humans performing.
I think it’s in the mix of materials. In fact I know. Edwin van der Kleij, skilful craftsman that he is, has concocted a metallurgical metal mix in these wires that results in a voicing that is expressive or better, more faithful and less intrusive to the signal it is charged to transmit, pardon the pun. And that’s what cables should really be about. Take A unmarred to B and leave well alone.
