PS Audio xStream Transcendent Silver Interconnects-A Review Pt. 1
DarqueKnight
Posts: 6,765
Part 1 Introduction and Listening Evaluations
I decided to try some new solid silver interconnects in my two channel rig. I ordered three pairs of PS Audio xStream Transcendent XLR interconnects in 1 meter, 1.5 meter, and 2 meter lengths. The Transcendent's sales literature, and price, promised a sublime listening experience and they delivered. I previously used Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR interconnects. I have used a variety of silver and silver/copper hybrid interconnects, as well as silver/copper hybrid speaker cables, since 1988.
My preference is for audio components which have a neutral tonal balance. I do not want to hear anything "lush", "warm", "lean", "euphonic", "cool", "romantic, etc. unless that is what is on the recording. I want the components and cables to get out of the way as much as possible while processing and transmitting the audio signals.
The basic specifications for the PS Audio xStream Transcendent and Signal Cable Silver Resolution Cables are:
PS Audio xStream Transcendent Solid Silver XLR Interconnects-18 AWG solid core conductors built from 5N (99.999% pure) silver. Triple shielded and single point terminated. The conductor insulating dielectric material is polyethylene foam. Price: $500 per meter.
Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR Interconnects-21 AWG stranded conductors built from 5N (99.999% pure) silver. The insulation for each conductor is thin wall Teflon tubing. Shielding is braided 5N Silver Plated OFC. Outer jacket is Teflon Tape. Price: $209 per meter.
The 18 AWG silver conductors of the xStreams are almost twice (1.98x) the size of the 21 AWG silver conductors of the Silver Resolutions.
Figure 1. xStream Transcendent (top) and Signal Cable Silver Resolution.
Figure 2. xStream and Silver Resolution connector and jacket close-up.
Figure 3. xStream Transcendent XLR connectors with directional arrows.
It is not clear to me why they put directional arrows on the XLR connectors. An XLR cable has a male connector on one end and a female connector on the other. By design, you can only insert the cables one way.
Listening Evaluations
Day One
Out of the box, the midrange of the xStreams had a minor loss of detail in the midrange and the high frequencies seemed a bit constricted. The music seemed "slower" and slightly lower in volume, although there was no difference in sound meter readings between the xStreams and the Silver Resolutions. There was a big difference in the bass reproduction. Whereas the Silver Resolutions bass was articulate, powerful, and detailed, the xStreams bass was lacking in impact, articulation and detail. There was a blurring of snare drum transients and electric bass guitar tracks sounded a bit muddy.
Soundstage width and depth was diminished a bit with the xStreams. On tracks where instruments were previously heard two to three feet from the outside edges of the speakers, those instruments were now placed in front of the speakers. Please bear in mind that PS Audio recommends 400 hours of break-in time for the xStream Transcendents.:eek: I may need to invest in one of these cable cooker things:
Audiodharma Cable Cooker
Audiodharma Cable Cooker Review
I sent an email to PS Audio asking if they would recommend using the Cable Cooker on their cables. They replied a couple of hours later saying, actually, they were in the process of acquiring a Cable Cooker for themselves!
Day one consisted of 15 hours of play time.
Day Two
Before going to work, I sat and listened for a few minutes. The sound was a little better than the day before, but I still didnt like what I was hearing. I set the volume at a moderate level (95 dB) and left. When I returned 10 hours later, a transformation had taken place. The smeary, muddy bass was gone and the midrange and high frequency detail was the equal of the Signal Cable Silver Resolutions. The soundstage was radically improved. Soundstage width and depth had been restored. I also heard the following improvements over the Silver Resolutions:
1. The music, particularly the midrange, had a more liquid and flowing quality.
2. Sound images within the soundstage had more apparent weight.
3. There was more three-dimensionality in the soundstage.
4. The sound was apparently louder, although the sound level meter registered no change in sound levels from when the Silver Resolutions were in place.
After listening to the "improved" xStreams for a while, I reinstalled the Silver Resolutions. Again, if I ignored the differences in soundstage rendering, I could not tell a difference in the tonal qualities of the two. Remember that the xStreams cost over twice as much as the Silver Resolutions and contain almost twice as much silver. At this point, I couldnt say that the xStreams were over 2X as good as the Silver Resolutions, but this was only 25 hours into a prescribed 400 hour break-in process.
Day two consisted of 16 hours of play time.
Day Three
The prior days listening was done with digital source material played on my SACD player. The third days listening started off with an evaluation of what the analog source sounded like with xStream cables in the signal chain. Whereas the digital signal chain had xStream XLR interconnects from the SACD player to preamp to power amp, the analog signal chain had a Signal Cable Silver Resolution DIN/RCA tonearm cable between the tonearm and phono preamp and xStream Transcendent XLR cables between the phono preamp and the preamp.
When I lowered the needle into the groove, there was no disappointment or drama. At least there wasnt any drama in the negative sense. There was no sluggish bass and no soundstage anomalies. In fact, the analog playback was even more holographic than the digital playback. In this case, the xStreams lived up to their name and definitely transcended the previous analog playback performance. The bass was perceptibly faster, more articulate and tighter. I could actually hear micro details, little growls, subtle rumblings, etc., from bass instruments that I didnt hear before. The soundstage was wide and deep and images within the three dimensional sound field were more solid. The introduction of the xStream Transcendent cable between the Xono phono preamp and the X1 preamp clearly and immediately took the sound to another level. I thought perhaps that this particular xStream cable had already been broken in. The three pairs of xStream cables I bought (at a substantial discount) were from PS Audios B-stock and were customer returns. Prior to installing the xStream cable, I had the gain of the phono stage closely matched to that of the SACD player. I had to turn the volume down a notch with the xStreams in place. Not only was the sound clearer and apparently louder, it was measurably 1 to 1.5 dB louder.
Day three consisted of 6.5 hours of analog playback time and 10 hours of digital playback time. In addition to the dramatic changes heard in analog playback, the bass in digital playback had attained noticeably more impact and detail. The higher output voltages of the balanced outputs of the SACD and Preamp (6V max) probably helped to speed up changes in the cables that and pumping up the volume for most of the day.
Typical CD player and preamp output voltages are in the range of 1-2V.
At this point, after only 47.5 hours of play, there was a very clear distinction between the sound of the Silver Resolutions and the xStream Transcendents. Of course, since I was the second user of these cables, I have no idea of how much previous play time was put on them. Even though it was evident that the Silver Resolutions were going to be replaced, I continued to be impressed by their performance relative to their price and relative to other, more expensive, interconnects. I certainly have no plans to offer the Silver Resolutions for sale. Theyll be put to good use in one of my other current or future systems.
Day Four
Prior to going to sleep at the end of day three, I set up my backup Adcom GCD-750 CD player to play at a low level through the night and early morning. This added 10 hours of play time to day four.
Figure 4. My Adcom GCD-750 CD player comes out of retirement...on the night shift.
After an additional 6 hours of playback at background level, I reinserted the Cary SACD player into the system and sat down for a few hours of critical listening with the SACD player. I usually listen at an average SPL of 85 dB. This usually corresponds to volume level 8 on my preamp. Now, level 8 was a bit uncomfortable. I needed to take it down to level 7 to get 85 dB average SPL. As I listened to recordings that I was very familiar with, I was able to hear more details that had previously gone unnoticed. The bass had a little more slam than the day before.
Day four consisted of 23 hours of play time.
Conclusion
Transcendent - adj. - going beyond ordinary limits; excelling; superior; extraordinary.
I found the xStream Transcendent cables to be appropriately named. They certainly, within a few days, took my two channel system to another level. Such Good Sound.
I decided to try some new solid silver interconnects in my two channel rig. I ordered three pairs of PS Audio xStream Transcendent XLR interconnects in 1 meter, 1.5 meter, and 2 meter lengths. The Transcendent's sales literature, and price, promised a sublime listening experience and they delivered. I previously used Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR interconnects. I have used a variety of silver and silver/copper hybrid interconnects, as well as silver/copper hybrid speaker cables, since 1988.
My preference is for audio components which have a neutral tonal balance. I do not want to hear anything "lush", "warm", "lean", "euphonic", "cool", "romantic, etc. unless that is what is on the recording. I want the components and cables to get out of the way as much as possible while processing and transmitting the audio signals.
The basic specifications for the PS Audio xStream Transcendent and Signal Cable Silver Resolution Cables are:
PS Audio xStream Transcendent Solid Silver XLR Interconnects-18 AWG solid core conductors built from 5N (99.999% pure) silver. Triple shielded and single point terminated. The conductor insulating dielectric material is polyethylene foam. Price: $500 per meter.
Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR Interconnects-21 AWG stranded conductors built from 5N (99.999% pure) silver. The insulation for each conductor is thin wall Teflon tubing. Shielding is braided 5N Silver Plated OFC. Outer jacket is Teflon Tape. Price: $209 per meter.
The 18 AWG silver conductors of the xStreams are almost twice (1.98x) the size of the 21 AWG silver conductors of the Silver Resolutions.
Figure 1. xStream Transcendent (top) and Signal Cable Silver Resolution.
Figure 2. xStream and Silver Resolution connector and jacket close-up.
Figure 3. xStream Transcendent XLR connectors with directional arrows.
It is not clear to me why they put directional arrows on the XLR connectors. An XLR cable has a male connector on one end and a female connector on the other. By design, you can only insert the cables one way.
Listening Evaluations
Day One
Out of the box, the midrange of the xStreams had a minor loss of detail in the midrange and the high frequencies seemed a bit constricted. The music seemed "slower" and slightly lower in volume, although there was no difference in sound meter readings between the xStreams and the Silver Resolutions. There was a big difference in the bass reproduction. Whereas the Silver Resolutions bass was articulate, powerful, and detailed, the xStreams bass was lacking in impact, articulation and detail. There was a blurring of snare drum transients and electric bass guitar tracks sounded a bit muddy.
Soundstage width and depth was diminished a bit with the xStreams. On tracks where instruments were previously heard two to three feet from the outside edges of the speakers, those instruments were now placed in front of the speakers. Please bear in mind that PS Audio recommends 400 hours of break-in time for the xStream Transcendents.:eek: I may need to invest in one of these cable cooker things:
Audiodharma Cable Cooker
Audiodharma Cable Cooker Review
I sent an email to PS Audio asking if they would recommend using the Cable Cooker on their cables. They replied a couple of hours later saying, actually, they were in the process of acquiring a Cable Cooker for themselves!
Day one consisted of 15 hours of play time.
Day Two
Before going to work, I sat and listened for a few minutes. The sound was a little better than the day before, but I still didnt like what I was hearing. I set the volume at a moderate level (95 dB) and left. When I returned 10 hours later, a transformation had taken place. The smeary, muddy bass was gone and the midrange and high frequency detail was the equal of the Signal Cable Silver Resolutions. The soundstage was radically improved. Soundstage width and depth had been restored. I also heard the following improvements over the Silver Resolutions:
1. The music, particularly the midrange, had a more liquid and flowing quality.
2. Sound images within the soundstage had more apparent weight.
3. There was more three-dimensionality in the soundstage.
4. The sound was apparently louder, although the sound level meter registered no change in sound levels from when the Silver Resolutions were in place.
After listening to the "improved" xStreams for a while, I reinstalled the Silver Resolutions. Again, if I ignored the differences in soundstage rendering, I could not tell a difference in the tonal qualities of the two. Remember that the xStreams cost over twice as much as the Silver Resolutions and contain almost twice as much silver. At this point, I couldnt say that the xStreams were over 2X as good as the Silver Resolutions, but this was only 25 hours into a prescribed 400 hour break-in process.
Day two consisted of 16 hours of play time.
Day Three
The prior days listening was done with digital source material played on my SACD player. The third days listening started off with an evaluation of what the analog source sounded like with xStream cables in the signal chain. Whereas the digital signal chain had xStream XLR interconnects from the SACD player to preamp to power amp, the analog signal chain had a Signal Cable Silver Resolution DIN/RCA tonearm cable between the tonearm and phono preamp and xStream Transcendent XLR cables between the phono preamp and the preamp.
When I lowered the needle into the groove, there was no disappointment or drama. At least there wasnt any drama in the negative sense. There was no sluggish bass and no soundstage anomalies. In fact, the analog playback was even more holographic than the digital playback. In this case, the xStreams lived up to their name and definitely transcended the previous analog playback performance. The bass was perceptibly faster, more articulate and tighter. I could actually hear micro details, little growls, subtle rumblings, etc., from bass instruments that I didnt hear before. The soundstage was wide and deep and images within the three dimensional sound field were more solid. The introduction of the xStream Transcendent cable between the Xono phono preamp and the X1 preamp clearly and immediately took the sound to another level. I thought perhaps that this particular xStream cable had already been broken in. The three pairs of xStream cables I bought (at a substantial discount) were from PS Audios B-stock and were customer returns. Prior to installing the xStream cable, I had the gain of the phono stage closely matched to that of the SACD player. I had to turn the volume down a notch with the xStreams in place. Not only was the sound clearer and apparently louder, it was measurably 1 to 1.5 dB louder.
Day three consisted of 6.5 hours of analog playback time and 10 hours of digital playback time. In addition to the dramatic changes heard in analog playback, the bass in digital playback had attained noticeably more impact and detail. The higher output voltages of the balanced outputs of the SACD and Preamp (6V max) probably helped to speed up changes in the cables that and pumping up the volume for most of the day.
Typical CD player and preamp output voltages are in the range of 1-2V.At this point, after only 47.5 hours of play, there was a very clear distinction between the sound of the Silver Resolutions and the xStream Transcendents. Of course, since I was the second user of these cables, I have no idea of how much previous play time was put on them. Even though it was evident that the Silver Resolutions were going to be replaced, I continued to be impressed by their performance relative to their price and relative to other, more expensive, interconnects. I certainly have no plans to offer the Silver Resolutions for sale. Theyll be put to good use in one of my other current or future systems.
Day Four
Prior to going to sleep at the end of day three, I set up my backup Adcom GCD-750 CD player to play at a low level through the night and early morning. This added 10 hours of play time to day four.
Figure 4. My Adcom GCD-750 CD player comes out of retirement...on the night shift.
After an additional 6 hours of playback at background level, I reinserted the Cary SACD player into the system and sat down for a few hours of critical listening with the SACD player. I usually listen at an average SPL of 85 dB. This usually corresponds to volume level 8 on my preamp. Now, level 8 was a bit uncomfortable. I needed to take it down to level 7 to get 85 dB average SPL. As I listened to recordings that I was very familiar with, I was able to hear more details that had previously gone unnoticed. The bass had a little more slam than the day before.
Day four consisted of 23 hours of play time.
Conclusion
Transcendent - adj. - going beyond ordinary limits; excelling; superior; extraordinary.
I found the xStream Transcendent cables to be appropriately named. They certainly, within a few days, took my two channel system to another level. Such Good Sound.
Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
Post edited by DarqueKnight on
Comments
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Part 2-Associated Equipment And Source Material
Associated Equipment
Teres Audio Model 255 Turntable
Graham 2.2 Deluxe Tonearm
Sonic Purity Concepts Record Clamp
Signal Cable Silver Resolution DIN/RCA Tonearm Cable
Cary Audio CD 306 SACD Player
Pass Laboratories X1 Preamp
Pass Laboratories Xono Phono Preamp
Parasound JC 1 Monoblock Power Amps
Polk Audio SDA SRS 1.2TL Speakers (Modified)
CD/SACD/LP Source Material
LP- Obscure, Out Of Print, Reference Recordings
1. Skydance, Rodney Frankin, 1985 CBS Records
2. 8, Madhouse, 1987 Paisley Park Records.
3. Breezin, George Benson, 1976 Audiophile Original Master Recording by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.
4. Magic Touch, Stanley Jordan, 1985 Blue Note Records.
5. Honey, Ohio Players, 1976 Polygram Records.
7. Touchdown, Bob James, 1978 CBS Records Mastersound Audiophile Pressing.
8. Another Time, Another Place, Dan Siegel, 1984, Pausa Records.
9. Back Home, Dennis Coffey, 1977 Westbound Records.
10. Just The Way You Like It, SOS Band, 1984 Tabu Records.
11. Sleeping Gypsy, Michael Franks, 1977 Warner Brothers Records.
12. Passion Fruit, Michael Franks, 1983 Warner Brothers Records.
CD
1. Between The Sheets, Fourplay.
2. Sleeping Gypsy, Michael Franks.
3. Passion Fruit, Michael Franks.
4. Letter From Home, Pat Metheny Group.
5. Backstreet, David Sanborn.
6. Inside, David Sanborn.
7. The Original Soundtrack, 10CC.
8. Life Stories, Earl Klugh.
9. This is Niecy, Denise Williams.
10. Kemistry, Kem.
11. 8, Madhouse.
12. At The Movies, Stanley Clarke.
13. Youre My Everything, Anita Baker
SACD
1. Altered State, Yellowjackets.
2. Players Club, Marion Meadows.
3. Kind of Blue, Miles Davis.
4. Saxophone Colossus, Sonny Rollins.
5. Headhunters, Herbie Hancock.Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country! -
Part 3-Further Thoughts and Follow-up
The only down side to this cable upgrade is that my two channel rig is now even more of a distraction than before. When it is pulling background music duty, I find the incidences of wanting to drop what I am doing and go have a closer listen to have increased precipitously.
I will post an update when either the magical 400th hour has been reached or the cables have been aged 400 hours with the Cable Cooker. I am somewhat reluctant to get a Cable Cooker because it is something I would use infrequently and costs a fair amount of change ($884 for the Cooker, phono cable adapter and shipping). However, the tweak demon sitting on my shoulder is urging me to go for it.
Side Note: I have a 3 meter pair of xStream Resolution speaker cable coming this week. Well see if my venerable old Monster Z3 Reference speaker cables will finally be retired.:eek: The xStreams are 11 gauge wire as opposed to the Monsters 10 gauge, so I expect to derive some benefit from the thicker wire with lower resistance. Plus, the xStreams use copper with a lower resistance crystal structure. I would like to try a pair of the xStream Transcendent speaker cables, which are identical in every way to the xStream Resolution cables, except that the conductors are 5N silver rather than PCOCC copper and the cost is $4000 for a 3 meter pair.:eek:
Post Break In Followup
I noticed a lot of sonic change during the first week, after the first week, I did not notice any changes until 438 hours had passed. After the 400+ hour break in, I noticed the following:
1. The soundstage dimensions had changed: images were pushed out about a foot further ahead of the speaker plane.
2. Images within the soundstage had more three dimensional weight.
3. Bass impact and articulation had also increased.
I was glad the Transcendents were finally finished cooking. I had some hot new speaker cables waiting for evaluation.:)Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country! -
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Very nice.
Does anyone know where I can get some 18 gauge solid core copper ic's? -
Great review on some great sounding cables. I have made silver IC and love the tighter bass and better definition on the top over any of the copper IC I have used. I have a Hagerman frycleaner you can use if you would like. It isnt currently set-up for xlr but Jim can let us know what we need to do to make it work properly. He recommends a total of 3 days burn in for silver IC. It is nice to not have to wait 400 hrs of stereo time to find out what the IC really sound like. LMK if you are interested.Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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candyliquor35m wrote: »Does anyone know where I can get some 18 gauge solid core copper ic's?
Here: PS Audio xStream Resolution Audio Cables
The Resolution RCA and XLR cables are constructed the same as the Transcendents, but use 18 gauge copper rather than 18 gauge silver.Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country! -
I have a Hagerman frycleaner you can use if you would like. It isnt currently set-up for xlr but Jim can let us know what we need to do to make it work properly.
Thanks for the offer BB. It looks like the current version of the Frycleaner has XLR connections: Hagerman Frycleaner
What changes/improvements did you notice after using the Frycleaner?Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country! -
DarqueKnight wrote: »Here: PS Audio xStream Resolution Audio Cables
The Resolution RCA and XLR cables are constructed the same as the Transcendents, but use 18 gauge copper rather than 18 gauge silver.
Thanks. Any chance you'll be comparing the xStream Resolutions (copper or silver) to the AQ King Cobras? -
I certainly will if someone sends me a pair of King Cobras. I would also like to take a listen to some Niagras and Skys.:)Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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Excellent review Thanksengtaz
I love how music can brighten up a bad day. -
Great review, tempting to get one...
