Country of Origin
Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial interests: click here
Main system: Sources: Retina 5K 27" iMac (4GHz quad-core with Turbo boost, 32GB RAM, 3TB FusionDrive, OSX Yosemite. iTunes 14.4), PureMusic 3.02, Audirvana 3, Qobuz Hifi, Tidal Hifi, Denafrips Terminator, Soundaware D300Ref SD transport & USB bridge; Preamplifier: Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature with WE VT52/300B or Elrog 50/300B; Power amplifiers: LinnenberG Audio Liszt monos; Headphone amp: Kinki Studio; Headphones: Final D8000; Loudspeakers: Audio Physic Codex; Cube Audio Nenuphar; Aurai Audio M1 [on loan]; Cables: Complete loom of Allnic Audio ZL3000; Power delivery: Vibex Granada/Alhambra on all source components, Vibex One 11R on amps, LessLoss C-MARC Entropic cords between wall and conditioners; Equipment rack: Artesanía Audio Exoteryc double-wide 3-tier with optional glass shelves, Exoteryc Krion and glass amp stands; Sundry accessories: Acoustic System resonators; Room: 4 x 6m with high gabled beam ceiling opening into 4 x 8m kitchen and 5 x 8m living room, hence no wall behind the listening chairs
Second system: Source: Soundaware D100Pro SD transport; DAC/pre: COS Engineering D1; Amplifier: Bakoon AMP-13R; Loudspeakers: Acelec Model One w. Franck Tchang magnesium 360° super tweeters, Zu Submission subwoofer, LessLoss Firewall for Loudspeakers; Power delivery: Puritan Audio Lab PSM-156; Equipment rack: Hifistay Mythology Transform X-Frame [on extended loan]; Room: ~4x6m
Desktop system: Source: HP Z230 work station Win7/64; USB bridge: Audiobyte Hydra X+; Headphone amp: COS Engineering H1; Headphones: Audeze LCD-XC; Powered speakers: Fram Audio Midi 150
Upstairs headfi system: Source: Soundaware A280 SD transport; DAC: Auralic Vega; Integrated amplifier: Schiit Jotunheim R; Headphones: Raal-Requisite SR1a
2-channel video system: Source: Oppo BDP-105; DAC: Kinki Studio; Preamp: Wyred4Sound STP-SE II; Power amp: Pass Labs XA-30.8; Loudspeakers: German Physiks HRS-120; Room: ~6x4m
Review component retail: £400/1.5m Eros, £600/1.5m Eros Signature, £250 FFT module
IRA. Irish real audio. As our adopted country, Eire is strangely bereft of domestic hifi manufacture. Meanwhile the Brexiteers one island over sit in the fat of it. But there's one brand which does operate in the land of the Irish, in Belfast. Dia dhuit Titan Audio? Hello local power cords. Here's the news post that tipped then ticked off today's gig.
Titanic news. Nothing's sinking. Gary Campbell rather believes that something big is rising.
"Titan Audio are pleased to announce a new range of mains cables. We have a new dedicated range of both source (low power) and high-current cables each built for purpose.
"These new cords retain their existing model names but follow a new format. The high-current versions will carry the 'Signature' suffix like Nyx & Nyx Signature, Helios & Helios Signature.
"In a world first, Helios/Helios Signature and Eros/Eros Signature add the option of our patent-pending Force Field Tech to offer a new level of RFI/EMI protection. This has never been seen in the audio industry. It creates an invisible shield around the cable while maintaining the power delivery characteristics our cables always offered.
"Force Field may be optioned when purchasing a new cord or can be added later as Helios and Eros models now come with Force Field Technology connectors."
After I'd posted the above press release, Gary asked whether I'd do a formal review. I'd covered some of their product before. It had turned out to be no-nonsense performance for a fair price.
Why not?
Cén fáth nach bhfuil. Using Google translator really cheats badly. So do claims that better power cords make no difference without doing actual listening.
Naturally I was curious. I expected a module which perhaps related to Ansuz dither tech, Nordost QRT or active bias à la Audioquest. Being able to unplug it added interest to a power cord assignment. Ditto getting patriotic and taking one for the home team.
Saying yes was foregone conclusion. How much would Gary spill about their tech? Most clam up. Why give away IP for others to copy? Reviewers are simply expected to translate buzz words. My inner marketeer saw the campaign: Super hero hifi. The theme to Superman comes on badly distorted. Galactic gunk fires at a hifi. Suddenly Titan's shield graphic pops up to deflect the noisy gunk. The theme to Superman loses its distortion, then gains in SPL and heroics. The camera hones in on a power cord behind the hifi. Titan Audio saved the day. Gimme three? At £2'500/1.5m for the high-current Nemesis range topper below, that's a tall order. For the entry-level Nyx Sigature, £450 already buys three so there's a serious stretch. The Helios Signature gets £300/ea., the Eros Signature £600 and the Chimera Signature £1'250. Those mark clear stepping stones in ever doubling price points as retailers like them.
About basic goals, Titan Audio believe in unrestricted current delivery from low transmission impedance and single-crystal conductors. Nemesis features 6.7mΩ/m on neutral, 5.4mΩ/m on ground, more affordable Elektra 7.1mΩ for either. Add low noise from effective shielding and low contact resistance from superior plugs. As one moves up, connectors get costlier and cryo-treated, copper turns silver-plated copper then pure silver, overall gauge increases. Most models run external drain wires. Nemesis and the forthcoming Apollo go braided. Three passive power distributors use Nyx, Helios and Eros conductors for their star-grounded hookup wiring. There's a no-nonsense focus and relatively little bling to this company's approach. Here's a link to their design credo.
