Cables from Douglass Connection - YES!

schwarcw
schwarcw Posts: 7,338
edited August 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
Greetings!
I wanted to share my positive experience and product review of my recent purchase of custom interconnects from Forum member Heliopilotdoug. His company Douglas Connection made the cables for me. I was looking for a low capacitance, shielded interconnect to go between my phono Step Up Transformer (SUT) and my phono preamp. I emailed Doug the type of cable that I needed and he made a recommendation with several options. I went with Doug’s recommendation and he was the cables delivered to my door in less than a week! His communications were prompt, courteous and informative. Doug’s prices were also good and he offered a discount to Polk Forum members.

The custom interconnects that I selected consisted of a Furez FZ162AA 16AWG Analog Audio Cable with Furutech FP-110 G PCOCC Central PIN RCA Connector. For more information about this cable look Here Doug recommended the Furutech locking RCA over my first choice which was Vampire. Doug sent me an email tease with several photos of the cables and the user brochure which was customized for me.

I needed a short interconnect cable (0.5 M) to go between the Step Up Transformer (SUT) and my phono preamp. The SUT is needed as I use a very low output Moving Coil phono cartridge (Denon D-103R) which requires either a head amp or an SUT to boost the low output ( 0.25 mA) of the Denon MC cartridge to a level acceptable by my Audio Research PH3SE phono preamp. I have used both but I prefer the home brew SUT built by Forum member Analog97 (Larry). Larry’s SUT uses Cinemag transformer coils very similar to the product sold by Bob’s Devices (for more info look Here ) This new cable from Doug was going to replace a Signal Analog 1 cable that was just satisfactory. I knew that I could get better. Low capacitance and shielding was key to the cable that I wanted.

My vinyl system

Denon 59L turntable
Home brew SUT
Audio Research PH3SE tube phono preamp
Rogue 99 Super Magnum tube preamp
Classe DR-25 solid state amp (250 wpc)
Polk SDA SRS 2.3 speakers with numerous upgrades and modifications
MIT Shotgun S1 interconnects and MIT S1 speaker cables

Listening observations

The build quality of the cable was very impressive comparable to other cables costing a lot more money. I put the cables in my system and noticed an immediate improvement right out of the box. The sound was more open as I was hearing some details in the music that I didn’t notice previously. The high frequency was clean and detailed but not fatiguing. The low end was also very good but maybe just a slight improvement of the Signal cables. The cables opened up a little more after some break in. The noticeable improvement as I mentioned was more clarity, clean but not fatiguing and a smoother presentation compared to the Signal cables. The performance, quality and customer service was outstanding! I highly recommend that you give Doug’s cables a try.

Here are some photos:

DougsCables1-1.jpg

DougsCables2.jpg
Carl

Post edited by schwarcw on
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Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited August 2013
    Cool Carl, glad your diggin' 'em. I've been meaning to give the man a call but my wallet has under gone major surgery as of late. Have you tried the Signal analog 2's ? Suppose to be a good step up from the 1's.

    Doug's a cool cat and his prices are very reasonable, anyone looking to move away from monoprice or monster and doesn't have a lot of coin to spend, Doug's your man.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    edited August 2013
    Hi, Tony.

    You got any interest in the Karma I have posted?

    Hoping not to send those speakers to the dump...
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited August 2013
    Hey Tony!

    My Signal Cables might actually be the Analog 2's, I'm just not sure. I don't know if they are market or have some distinguishing feature like the color of the shrink??

    Doug's cables are real nice!! I recommend you give them a try.
    Carl

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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited August 2013
    stretchl wrote: »
    Hi, Tony.

    You got any interest in the Karma I have posted?

    Hoping not to send those speakers to the dump...

    Nah man, I've got no use for 'em. Thanks for offering anyway.

    Now if you want to Karma a laptop....tablet....a case of wine, dude....I'm your guy.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited August 2013
    I do like a shielded phono IC! I ordered parts from Doug and made my own power cables. Great service and fast shipping! And a small discount for polkies IIRC.

    Carl's system rocks! Now I gotta go back and hear it again.:cheesygrin: You talked me into trying an SUT with the KSL phono switched to MM.:wink:
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 570
    edited August 2013
    Good job on the review! All the details and even links.

    Thanks for taking the time to share!

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."

    More amazing Internet Science Pink Panther wisdom..."My DAC has since been upgraded from Mark Levinson to Topping."
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited August 2013
    Those look like nice cables & great review. I hope sometimes soon to upgrade all mine also. I will keep this thread in mind. Enjoy your new cables
    ..
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited August 2013
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    You talked me into trying an SUT with the KSL phono switched to MM.:wink:

    Hey Rich!

    I got the good from Larry tonight. I will be getting these into the mail tomorrow.
    Carl

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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,421
    edited August 2013
    I keep on saying this, and I am so glad word is getting out there... Doug's cables will make a believer out of anyone that says cables don't matter. They are, dollar for dollar,easily the best made and best performing cables I have ever heard in my rig. I would put them in the same league as cables costing five times more.

    Best value for the audio cable dollar, and Doug is one of our own to boot.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited August 2013
    Got a question guys. Depending on lengths. Are those fairly flexible ? Ive got different types of cords & ive got a couple that are stiff as heck & with some locations the system is in-it makes it hard to use them. I need to change out all my cords soon & those look like theyd fit the bill...
    ..
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  • helipilotdoug
    helipilotdoug Posts: 1,229
    edited August 2013
    boston1450 wrote: »
    Got a question guys. Depending on lengths. Are those fairly flexible ? Ive got different types of cords & ive got a couple that are stiff as heck & with some locations the system is in-it makes it hard to use them. I need to change out all my cords soon & those look like theyd fit the bill...

    These cables are very flexible. This is the wire they are made with.
    fz162aa-flex.jpg
    Sunfire Theater Grand IV
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature
    SRS 2.1TL
    SDA 2BTL's
    CSiA6
    FXiA4
    FXiA6
    SDA 2A's
    Monitor 10A's
    http://www.douglasconnection.com
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited August 2013
    helipilotdoug wrote: »
    These cables are very flexible. This is the wire they are made with.
    fz162aa-flex.jpg
    thank you Doug. That answers my question. I will be visiting your site now. I have alot of mismatch cables & it looks like crap. THANKS AGAIN-Randy
    ..
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited August 2013
    helipilotdoug wrote: »
    These cables are very flexible. This is the wire they are made with.
    fz162aa-flex.jpg
    PM'd you Doug
    ..
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited August 2013
    Randy, you'll love these cables!
    Carl

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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited August 2013
    Attachment not found.I have to wait :( my daughter totaled her car so it just set me back on our savings. Adjustor looked at car Thursday & they wont fix it. So cords are on back burner for a little bit. She was showing off in her car--boyfriend was in his truck behind her getting off a highway ramp WAY TOO FAST. Wife & i are looking at vehicles today....happy she didnt get hurt-learning lesson that has giving me a headache just dealing with insurance & adjustor for a week now....i have asked her over n over to slow down while driving. Now she may have understood why.
    ..
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited August 2013
    I also contacted Doug about speaker cables which were way out of my monetary league.These cables look great ,the logo, set screws, heat shrink, and color coded collars are a nice touch and apparrently fill your needs to a tee. Enjoy them.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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