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My audio and jazz history The 33rd episode "Phonon XLR Line Ver. 1.02" by Kenji Kondo on September 23 This week I tried out a Phonon XLR balance cable that again reproduced tones highly accurately. Its good and high-grade appearance were expressed in its tones as well. Phonon's cables are only for sale by cataloging. Phonon's design concept is unique in that the vibration of an atom itself or magnetic vibration by AC signal seeks sound signal. As an wire, it uses a single platinum wire, and its special structure, on which they are now applying for a patent, keeps proper sound low. Additionally, the shield is filled with tungsten powder as a unique characteristic.

XLR Line Ver. 1.02 can draw all information from the sound source without any change and transmit it, so it is recommended to those who seek to play back real sound and those who would like to enjoy pure sound of your amp or player. It is not recommended to those who would like to add tone color by the line. I used a McIntosh MC500 and C40 amps. First of all, I was surprised at this cable's weight. It was not only sturdy but was really heavy. I imagined the cable was such heavy because it was filled with tungsten powder. Then I worried if the cable would add a pretty much load to the equipment to which it is connected. However, the important thing was if the cable could reproduce sensitive but strong tones at a good signal-to-noise ratio and with enough sound information. It uses a single platinum wire for hot and cold, and a 4N pure silver wire for grand. I listened to "Stranger in Paradise" by Peter Burnstein (TKCV-35324) and vocal sound of "Autumn Leaves" by Jacintha (FIMXRCD-028), and was impressed by the sound information. The tone was clear without any color and the sound was typical of its non-coloration, but the music was full of enjoyment, expressiveness and lively rhythms. It contained no noise or distortion or was rid of any stressful sound, and I felt such sound was something rarely heard. It played back even subtle sound surprisingly well, and especially the guitar and vocal sound was thrillingly beautiful. Jazz sound was full of beat and was thrilling in quick response. Bass sound as well was reproduced expressively, accurately and directly, with a kind of strictness like in monitoring. When I listened to an SACD (super audio CD), the reproduced sound was sensitive and clear at a very high signal-to-noise ratio and with high resolution. Ha! It was so good. While I listened to tones that were real like acoustic sound, I was deeply impressed by its way of reproduction such as dynamic peak sound in full volume lasting long. I cannot help buying these cables as listening this sound!

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