Kirlin Cables - Bold and Big

My curiosity in microphone cable as an element in our hifi system grew bigger each day since my exposure to Kadas last month. Most of the articles on the net concludes towards mic and audio cable have no difference between them apart from thickness. However, there are people who advice never to use mic cable as a speaker cable. OK for line level interconnects but not for speaker cable.

KOGA Audio again loaned me a mic cable, built as an IC with RCA connectors under the brand Kirlin. The model is MBC 20AWG. More information can be read here

As oppose to Kadas, Kirlin seems to be more visible on the net with a properly established website with association with a list renown musicians and artists.

BUILT

KOGA maintains to keep the two left and right channel separate from each other. The cable itself is flexible similar to Kadas. The RCA plug however is of a different version which feels sturdier and also easier to connect to the RCA connections on my source and amp. Again, KOGA Audio did a good job in its workmanship.

THE SPECIFICATIONS

Being a microphone cable, it is fully shielded.

FIRST IMPRESSION

It was of different character compared to Kadas. It presented a bigger soundstage and leans more towards a emphasizing the low end spectrum of things.

THE SET UP

Given that I am now quite familiar with my mini set up downstairs, this review was only done by using the IC in between Musical Fidelity M1 PWR power amp and M1 CLiC streamer/DAC/pre amp.

THE SET LIST

1. La Vie En Rose - Louis Armstrong (FLAC 24/192)

2. Rock and Radical - Butterfingers (CD)

3. Pink Panther Theme (WAV)

THE SESSION

The trumpet sounded mellower with the higher frequency was filtered down a notch, creating a less high pitch presentation. Louis's deep and 'rough' vocal blended better into the rest of the songs with minimal focus on the strength alone. It made me feel more at ease as it lets my emotion run free rather than being focussed on his vocal. It was balanced throughout that you dont feel that there was any element of the song that was more revealing than another.

Now, Butterfingers rawness and prowess was felt through and through. Again, no real focus on vocal nor other part of the music. It was well balanced between vocal, guitar, drums and even the bass line was easily recognised. Detail yet balance when it comes to delivering the grunge factor. Emmet's vocal also was more energized as if it was gelled up Loque's shredding guitar. The crash cymbals also sounded more detailed with a distinctive dispersing sound.

To see whether I can get the emotion going without the presence of a singer, I playe the Pink Panther theme. Now, this entertaining yet complex piece, sounded really big that I could not believe my small mini monitors can sound that big. I was concern that given the warm and lower end frequency character in the previous track, it will start distort my speakers. But no! The Kirlin just delivers this track beautifully. In fact, the last strike of at the end of the track which I usually feels that it can sound too high pitched, sounded full and bold that it really gave me a shock.

THE CONCLUSION

Firstly, I do feel the merit of using microphone cable as an interconnect in a hifi system. In fact, maybe it has not been given enough credit in this industry. I am sure there are still the dodgy ones just like the hifi interconnects we see in the market but, it is quite a provoking thought if I change all my interconnects to microphone based cables.

Specific to Kirlin, it does deliver a warmer sound compared to Kadas and also more tonally balanced. Given a good source, this Kirlin will allow the source intended sound to be delivered in details, bold and bigger soundstage to your amp and ultimately your speakers.

Give microphone cables a go. Its relatively an affordable option and if you dont like it, convert it to karaoke microphone :)

Kirlin and Kadas can be ordered to the length you require by contacting KOGA Audio at koga.audio@gmail.com

Kronos - The Next TT Revolution In My Book

Every other hifi visits that I go to, I get to see various unique turntables. Each with its own merit and forte with regards to certain sound character and also the mechanism of the TT itself. AFO, Clearaudio, Thorens, Lenco, Dr. Feickert, Rega, Musical Fidelity, Linn etc...each of them carry a different experience. Owning a Clearaudio and Lenco (used to), I have grown accustomed to certain level of excitement in listening to TTs when I listen to a fellow audiophile TT set up. I am 'blessed' with a strong will of going back home and still feels that my set up is able to deliver the same satisfaction and at times, even more than these other TTs.

But on 24th October, I have experienced something different. An excitement that left quite an impression sonically of a very unique TT; built wise and sound quality. Thank you to Victor Pheh of HiFi Creations for his invite to a private listening session of the mighty Kronos. I also had the privilege to meet and chat with Kronos designer Mr. Louis Desjardins.  The first time I had listened to this TT was in 2015 KLIAV show back in the mid year. And it was already mind blowing at that time. Snippet from that show below:

Now, this write up is not a review. It is more of an experience sharing of a wonderful music listening day... delivered by a Kronos - The Next TT Revolution In My Book!

I will not bore you readers with the technical specs of this unique TT as the net is already full of technical spec reviews of it. It is a TT with the highest number of awards received at least for this year. But what mattered to me how it faired in providing the listening pleasure.

Maybe the one thing technical I will mention here is its dual platter system; with the bottom platter counter rotates. This is the heart behind this TT. This is claimed to eliminate the torsional forces. For full specs, please click here.

THE VENUE

This TT was nicely set up in a small cozy apartment, fully converted to be a dedicated listening venue. There are still some minor works to be done but relatively a very comfortable and sonically acceptable venue to do some critical listening. The Kronos was supported by Magnet amps, Nagra pre and Skogrand cables throughout. The power management was via Frank's Power Banks. Six of them if I am not mistaken!

THE LISTENING SESSION

The first few tracks were selected by the host and Louis. Coincidently enough I believe this first track was by Louis Armstrong. The vocal sent a chill to my spine. Such emotion that I can feel it to the core. The deep 'rough' voice of his was unmistakably very well delivered by the Kronos. The trumpet of his, was soooo melodious and energized yet still delivered an overall airy and lively ambience. On top of all that, I can hear layers of music presented throughout this track. From the soft 'background-ish' percussion to the centre stage of the vocals.

I have not listened to techno music for such a long time. And even that, my exposure to this music genre was limited to the music I heard during my clubbing era. Louis then played Doin' It Right by Daft Punk. Even though I am not really into this music genre, it really got me going. I literally got up and started to move my head to the rhythm and beat. Excellent extensive bass delivery. Looking at those huge towers you call speakers, I was expecting a hard hitting and physically in your face bass slam. But no. It was sweet bass I call it. Extended low end that wraps around you throughout. Nice!

One of the track that I requested was this Metallica's rendition of Lynyrd Skynard's classic Tuesday's Gone. I have purposely brought this LP along as I have yet to find one other set up that can deliver a heavier music genre especially metal. But yes, the Kronos delivered such a distinctive performance even for Metallica. Heck, if James Hetfield hears this, he might be setting up a Kronos in his home! Lars's drums on this track was presented in such detail that the dispersion of the snare and hi hat sound was very evident. Again, wind instrument, the harmonica in this song sounded very melodious with a level of sharpness that was just adequate to create the emotional harmonica solo. Detail and more details... thats what I can conclude from this track... and it was the highlight of the session for me.

THE CHIT CHAT

Louis is a very passionate man. Passionate for music. For the perfection of music delivery. Throughout the 3 hour session, he was moving around making sure everything was set up properly. To the question on where to start when building a system, he strongly believes in the source. Get the wrong source and your amps and speaker will not be able to deliver. He also have a preference on a tube phono stage for its sound. But the Kronos can deliver the same performance with other type of phono stage. High efficiency speakers is also good to be in a system. Technomusic seems to be Louis's interest and he is very passionate of it. However, I was surprised that he played the Metallica track at least three times :).

THE CONCLUSION

You want to listen to the black disc? Really listen? This is one TT to me delivers what the LP medium is intended to deliver. The science behind the dual platter spinning in opposite of each other, eliminating torsional forces means nothing if it cannot deliver the music to the audience. And this TT, my beloved readers, is the one TT that I personally feels have delivered the long awaited quality. I have heard various tweaks, mods, design have been introduced in the market with regards to suspension, stability, vibration elimination etc, but this gem, definitely delivers what it claims. This is one session that made me feel uneasy when I returned home and started listening to my set up again. It might be the whole she-bang of Kronos, Magnet, Nagra etc.... but I believe in garbage in garbage out... But in this case, the Kronos was definitely putting in top quality caviar into the system...

My set up is not necessarily expensive in this beautiful world of hifi in comparison with the high end set ups but I have always been contented that I have reached that level of satisfaction. Even coming back from listening to various set ups of friends and show rooms, I still am very happy with my set up. But this day, Kronos has put something in my conscience that I am missing something.

Thank you again HiFi Creations and Louis for a very entertaining session. Kronos is definitely a beauty in all aspect.

If anyone interested to audition, please call Victor on +6012 2962799

Look at the smiley faces below...