Review: Kimber PBJ Interconnect

steveinaz

Review of Kimber PBJ Interconnect:

Reviewing cables is always tough. You never know if the cable has a deficiency, or if it’s extremely neutral and simply showing deficiencies upstream. I’ve always been skeptical of people saying “this cable has more bass” “this cable is overly sibilant” because of the very reason outlined above, plus the fact the most any commonly available copper has a frequency spectrum of DC to 300kHz, +/-.5dB. So I ask myself, how can a cable increase bass or treble? Well, you get my point. On to the review:

Associated equipment:

Parasound HCA-1500A Power amp
Musical Fidelity A3CR Preamp
C.E.C. CD-3300 Transport (Digital XLR out used)
Benchmark DAC1 Converter
Kimber PBJ’s used on ALL equipment (1 mtr from DAC to Pre; .5mtr from Pre to Amp)
Audioquest Granite speaker cable (single run)
Athena AS-F2 speakers (not biwireable)

Connection Scheme:

Transport--->Signal Cable XLR--->DAC--->1mtr PBJ--->Preamp--->.5mtr PBJ--->Amp--->AQ Granite--->Speakers

Disclaimer: As with any new cable, the PBJ can sound a little flat and zippy for about the first 30 minutes, give it a little time to run in.

The Kimber PBJ, in a word, is Neutral. Neutral in the sense that no particular area shows any prominence over the others. Bass, midrange, and treble blend seamlessly together, with a total lack of leaness/emphasis in any area. Bass is deep yet very controlled, midrange clear, concise, and treble extended, airy with a wonderful sense of natural decay on struck cymbals. Snare drums let you hear the wood of the stick. Rock guitars have an addictively smooth midrange, as do vocals, whose textures are clear and extremely realistic. And the acid test, pumping up the volume to insane levels, really showed just how composed these cables are---they sounded wonderful at high volume. Never edgy, etched, or tiring. Extremely sorted and controlled.

Comparison time. The Kimber PBJ is everything I thought the Audioquest Diamondback would be. Note, I said “I thought.” I can’t think of any PC way to say this, so I’m just gonna say it. To my ears, the PBJ is a better IC than the Diamondback. The PBJ has the same great bass accuracy and midrange qualities of the Diamondback, but gives soundstaging depth and incredible air in the treble area that the DB is missing. To me the DB sounded veiled and dry in the treble, very 2-dimensional. The PBJ breathes life back into the treble, giving leading edge cymbal strikes and high-hat decay the most realistic I’ve heard, sans a live performance.

The Kimber PBJ, at it’s price is a no-brainer. Falling somewhere between the AQ Copperhead and AQ Diamondback in cost. It’s my new reference cable. It gives me everything I’ve been looking for, great neutral sound, fair price, and durability. I can’t think of any cable near its price that can convey its neutrality and tonal accuracy. If your looking to upgrade IC’s, and want to stay below a $100 bucks a set, don’t fail to audition the Kimber PBJ. Ray Kimber has a new fan.

dragon1952

Great review and I agree 100%. These are a no-brainer at used prices starting at around $45 depending on length. I got my 1m pair for $46 shipped (with the older Ultraplate connectors)

steveinaz

Well give up your sources man!

dragon1952

Ebay and Audigon
Actually the pair I was talking about I got on Ebay and the seller listed them as .5m. They turned out to be 1m, so I got a pretty good deal although I would have preferred .5m
He had 3 different auctions for 3 different pair about 1 min apart. One set went for $45, one for $46 and I got mine for $42, plus $4.95 or so for shipping. They don't have the WBT connectors like yours though, although not sure if there are any sonic differences between the Ultraplates and the WBT's. I'm looking for a second pair though.

steveinaz

Mine aren't the WBT, mine are standard.

steveinaz

Here's a pic of the type reviewed:

dragon1952

Ah-so! I assumed you bought yours new and that all new ones had the WBT's . Those are just like mine.

steveinaz

I got them new from AudioAdvisor, Ultraplate is still "standard."

mantis

I own a few pairs of them and also find them to be a wonderful cable at it's price range. My findings are very close to yours.

I also own the Kimber Hero's which sound a bit better then the PPj's. The Hero's take it to the next level and then some. There much faster and have a certain sparkle over the PPj's. The bass is much tighter and controled. With my new system I was suprised how well the Heros work for me. I have no reason to own anything else.

Dan

steveinaz

Dan
What are you running for speaker wire?

dcarlson

Agreed on the Hero's.

2+2

Steve, are those kimbers solid core coppers like the AQs? Glad you like them...

steveinaz

I think they're stranded copper. Not sure, the Kimber website doesn't go into alot of detail.