As Posted In The "Discussion Forums" on the NEWAS Audio Society Website....

Hey Cable Dudes!

I had a complete DH Labs-wired system using their standard interconnect and a dual run of T-14 speaker cable. This hybrid combo (silver coated copper) offers an extremely neutral sound at a very reasonable price, especially if you're buying the wire in bulk and doing your own terminations. Then one-by-one, I began changing my system over to Ridge Street Audio Poiema!!! cables, which use high purity silver and a special "organic" dielectric.

I'm not sure whether it's the composition of the silver, the geometry of the cables, or the materials of the dielectric, but the Poiemas!! are unlike any other silver cables I've ever heard. They're perfectly neutral on top, without the glare and "tizz" usually associated with silver cables; and the bottom-end, well...contrary to popular opinion, the Poiema!!! cables sound as if my speakers (Maggie MG-12s) found an extra half-octave on the low end!!

But the improvements over the DH Labs is more than mere frequency related; the music sounds "faster," with less dielectric smear, and it exhibits a better representation of the acoustic space of the original recordings. Overall, they allow the instruments to sound more REAL, in a visceral way (closer to the way they sound at a live performance). Aside from their cost, which is still a bargain compared to mega-dollar cables like Nordost or Siltech, I have found nothing to fault their sonic performance. Oh, I wish they were half the price, but then again, I wish gasoline were still $1.25 a gallon too!

Even at $500 a meter the Poiema!!! I/Cs are true giant killers. Yes, I've compared the Poiema!!! I/Cs to the Nordost Vahallas and found them equal or superior in every way; and at a fraction of the Vahallas $3,000+ cost. And that's a bargain in my book.

There are a lot of excellent moderately priced cables available today, more so than ever before, but if you've already done the equipment upgrades and all the latest tweaks, and you still want to squeeze the last bit of performance out of your equipment, that's when it's time to consider upgrading to Ridge Street Audio cables.

I highly recommend them without reservation.

doc
Port Washington, WI

Hello Robert.

It's been more than a month since I've changed to the Poiema!!! I/C and Poiema!!! SC. They are now fully settled in. The nasties in the highs (too much air, harshness, etc.) that I reported at the 100 hour mark with the I/C went away at 150 hours. What's left is a natural, balanced, easy flow of music. Everything is there but nothing stands out or is emphasized, unless intended.

Prior to the cable change I came very close to changing speakers (and CDP), as I was never happy with my setup. It was involving for the first few minutes of listening but after that the effects of artificiality kicks in, and I start to feel irritated rather than relaxed. Sometimes weeks will pass without me listening at all. This was a big frustration as all my gear purchases were done with utmost care and only after extensive research and store auditions. Individually the components were supposed to be outstanding. As a system they just would not 'click'.

It is difficult to imagine that IC and speaker cables could make a fundamental and comprehensive difference in a system. Together your Poiema IC and SC achieved this. The level of improvement they gave was something I have not experienced before with component changes. By eliminating the sonic influence (or perhaps distortion) of cables in my system (formerly AP Oval9 and Zu Varial), for the first time in years I am enjoying what my gears have to offer. The modest Dyn 1.3SE is finally singing.

Regards, Noel Pastor
Metro Manila, Philippines

Robert,

Just a note to let you know something which may be of interest to you. I recently had my McCormack DNA-225 upgraded and, at about the same time, I bought used a Bent NOH passive preamp. The guy who originally had the Bent had it made by John Chapman with captive XLR output cables (hard-wired) using Harmonic Technology ProSilway II’s. I used this combination and was very pleased, indeed, with the performance. Ultimately, though, I wanted to use the Ridge Street Poiema! IC’s that I had and I wanted an expanded choice of input and output connections, along with eliminating the hard-wired HT cables. Sent the NOH off to John Chapman at Bent and received it back recently. Installed the RSA cables in place of the HT’s. While I was impressed with the McCormack upgrades before and its synergy with the Bent, the improvement using your cables was dramatic. Again, I was shocked by how much more the music seemed live and textured, with pinpoint imaging – much like the sensation when I first used the MSE’s some time ago. I had the HT cables re-terminated and I slipped then in for another comparison, just to confirm that my audio memory wasn’t playing tricks on me. It “weren’t”, these cables are great. Thanks.

Best
David Finnegan
Saratoga, California

Hi Robert.

Don't need no stinkin' 30 days. Listened for about 5 hours last night but it only took a couple of minutes to decide that your Poiema! IC's are a winner. They're unbelievable!

Biggest difference was the attack of the notes. With horns, my lips started to move as if I were playing along. I could feel the buzz of the mouthpiece on brass and the sound of the bow on strings was incredible. Black level increased as did soundstage width. Imaging was more defined, yet the sounds blended to perfection. Awesome dynamics, clarity, bass slam and crisp clean highs. Equal to a major component upgrade!

You saved me a bunch of coin as I am no longer looking for a new amp. Easily bested my cardas golden cross which cost twice as much. Put the money in the bank Robert. I love you man (in a non threatening, platonic way of course)!

Keith Oyama
California, USA