Call Out

Overview i.e. what the makers say

This power cord is made from a polymer material mixed with a considerable quantity of fine ferrite powder. This compound is called EMC/COM and has been extruded around copper conductors to make a cable. Ferrite itself is non-conductive, but has interesting magnetic properties when subjected to an AC field.

As the magnetic field alternates, the material is magnetised and de-magnetised, causing considerable losses of high frequency energy. The longer the cable, the greater the effect. Coating conductors with a thin layer of ferrite compound is said to absorb any high-frequency noise that might be present on the signal. The cable is fully shielded and a drain wire is included. It’s fairly thick, but the use of stranded copper conductors means it’s reasonably flexible.

Subjectively Cassiel is very good indeed, sounding crisp and detailed, with good rhythmic cohesion and excellent pitch definition. Female vocals sound slightly breathy, but it’s a natural (rather than electronic) breathiness that avoids unpleasant smearing effects. Bass sounds firm and tuneful, and overall the music emerges clean and well-balanced. Given the supposed subjective limitations of the Rotel CD player, the very reasonable cost of this cable, and its outstanding performance, we feel it deserves top marks and a strong recommendation.

What we have to say about Cassiel

Important note

Power cords DO make a difference – but do bear in mind that a difference isn't ALWAYS an improvement.

On the other hand, for something to be an improvement – it has to be different!

The history

This project came about as the result of a curious situation in late 2005. One of my STAX Omega-2 customers purchased from his local non-STAX retailer a number of Nordost power cords. (Valhalla and Vishnu) and a Thor. £5k in total. They made, according to him, absolutely no difference whatsoever to his STAX equipment.

His retailer wouldn't even give him half retail if these items were returned after just a few weeks of careful use. Anyway, Mr X returned to me with his £5k worth of Nordost to see if (a) it would make any improvement to my Omega-2 system and (b) if they didn't, to sell them on his behalf.

I tried them in all my STAX systems and like Mr X I heard no difference whatsoever!

However, it's worth noting that both I and Mr X use dedicated audio-only mains spurs direct from our consumer units. Possibly this caused the disappointing NORDOST result in our two homes.

In situations where users are stuck with using a conventional ring-main, with all the attendant problems associated with televisions on the same circuit, the outcome might be different. The puzzling thing was though that I had heard a worthwhile improvement via random prototype power cords from other makers.

So this is what I did

I contacted three power cord makers. I asked each of them to submit up to four samples of the best they could produce – without taking price into account.

The deal I offered was simple. I would place regular bulk orders for each and every power cord I liked i.e. if I heard an improvement through my STAX systems, then I'd place the order.

I received six prototypes in total. And then I sat down and listened, and listened and ended up with four which made a worthwhile improvement.

The sound

First, please bear in mind that these four power cords were auditioned straight out of their jiffy bags, and then subsequently during many hours.

It's no joke listening to the same three tracks time after time after time! It really isn't. It took me months, literally months to get back to listening to those three 'test' tracks again without a shudder.

(a) To varying degrees with all four power cords, in the mid-range there was a greater sense of ambience and a noticeable reduction in the artificiality of recorded music compared to the original event. The sound was slightly more 'up-front' – a bit like being more in the centre seats rather than the rear seats.

(b) I had hoped for an increase in top-end detail – but there wasn't any I could detect. However, the detail that was there was better defined, more separated and clearer. So please note – not once did I hear vocals or instruments that I'd not heard previously with alternative power cords. Mind you, I didn't with the £1,750 Nordost Valhalla power cord either!

(c) It was the bass that showed the biggest improvement. With each of the four, the bass was always faster, tighter, less one-note and more dynamic. For me this really is the strongest and most immediately noticeable improvement. With CAS3 and CAS4, bass took on a weight and 'slam' that truly surprised me.

In one instance, I almost achieved the same bass dynamics from a CAS4-powered SR-717 using the comparatively modest 404 earspeakers as I did with a Nordost Vishnu-powered SR-717 using Omega-2 earspeakers. Extraordinary, but true.

Kleenex

A CAS4-powered SR-717 driving Omega-2 earspeakers has to be heard to be believed.

I just don't have words to describe this. What I can tell you is that with the Glen Gould Goldberg Variations (the latter recording) and The Who's 'Pure and Easy' – and many others besides, I had to reach for the Kleenex – and not for my nose either! Emotional? You've no idea!

What end-users have to say about Cassiel

Mr. RB: Cirencester. UK.

Hi Howard

You'll be pleased to hear that your 100% cable non-returns record remains intact.I'll be keeping the cable.

FWIW, I felt the improvements were evenly spread across the board - not just better bass. It was a double whammy result in that I got more detail/definition/dynamics PLUS a reduction in upper mid/treble hardness. In short, a more natural and engaging sound. Not that it was that poor in the first place.

This replaced a £60 AudioWorks cable, which I was very impressed with when bought 4-5 years ago. Since then, by comparing with other cables (more expensive than yours), I've come to realize that the AudioWorks was a touch on the bright side.

Anyway, I hope you are well and are enjoying your new directions.

Regards

RB

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Mr. BC: Maidstone. UK.

Hi Howard - just received your letter re Cassiel power cord comments - well, here goes.

I initially purchased the CASS/3 some months ago. Once I had connected it to my Stax 006t/SR004 my first impressions were very encouraging. Bass had immediately tightened up, and voices became more defined. After an hour or so of listening, the bass had definitely extended - and the whole system became more lucid.

Wondering If I could improve on this, I exchanged the CASS/3 for a CASS/4.

Again I experienced the above, but this time the bass was even tighter - in fact the whole soundstage was tighter. Voices were crisp and clear. After an hour or so - the same lucid quality came over, and I felt the system had more transient attack . So a dramatic improvement - which I did not think was possible.

Finally - my only criticism was one of 60.s music. I have some compilation albums - and they are all highly modulated. The consequence of this was that voices were at the back of the soundstage and the bass was dominant. But of course a lot of these old tracks were originally mono - electronically reprocessed for stereo . So I suppose the tracks themselves are flawed -listen to the early tracks of the ROLLING STONES (40 LICKS) -and you'll see exactly what I mean.

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From Mr. SP: Saffron Walden. UK.

Hi Howard,

I got your letter the other day about writing something down about the Cassiel impressions. So here goes ....

I owned the CAS1 for a short time before upgrading to the CAS5/A prototype. Stax System: Altmann Attraction DAC via Black Rhodium Opera interconnects into SRM-006T (MK1) & 404 earspeakers.

CAS1 versus stock cord (going from memory): I thought that this cable gave a good improvement over the stock cable. A level of residual noise was removed from the sound (the silences were more silent - if that makes sense !). The bass was also slightly tightened up.

CAS5 Prototype versus stock cord: This also gives a very silent background to the music. The sound has also become slightly more detailed (probably because of the lack of hash). The most noticeable difference is in the bass. It's significantly tighter and seems to go down deeper. The bass performance with the stock cord is just ok, with the CAS5 it's pretty good. I think that probably helps further up the frequency range too. All things are relative, but I think the CAS5 is a great value upgrade to the 006T.

Both cables have shown me that the 006T is very vulnerable to the mains and that a decent power cord is a must, to get the max out of the amp.

Unfortunately I can't compare the CAS5 versus CAS1 as I sold the CAS1 on before I had a chance to compare.

By the way, aren't second hand prices on eBay for Stax stuff crazy. Lots of people are really paying a lot. No more bargains for a while !

You previously gave me the number of a guy who can do upgrades to the 006T mk1. I have the number somewhere and I'll probably give him a call soon. Is he still active ? What kind of improvement can I expect ?

Good luck with the new venture.

Cheers,

S

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From Mr. PD: South Wales

Dear Howard.

I am very happy with my Cassiel power cord. I find it a big improvement on the standard power cord supplied by STAX.

I am using it with my STAX 007t II energiser and STAX 404 signature headphones.

I find the bass better and the overall sound is more open and smoother than with the power cord supplied by STAX.

yours faithfully

PD

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From Mr. DR: West Yorkshire

Regarding the Cassiel power cords I got from you, I'm happy with them. Since I started listening to music with the Esoteric X-03se SACD player through the STAX headphones (sorry, earspeakers), the sound quality is just amazing.

I use both Cassiel power cords I got from you, one on the STAX energiser and the other on the Esoteric.

Bye for now

D

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The Cassiel models and prices

All the prices here include FREE carriage in the UK and throughout Europe

After a lot of feedback from a lot of owners, there is general agreement that the Cassiel power cord with the Silver Plated pins is overall the sound that most STAX owners prefer.

Some claim to hear great differences between the brass (the least expensive) and the gold plated (most expensive) while others can't. I include myself in the latter category. That's probably because (a) I haven't spent as long doing the comparisons as others and (b) I'm still amazed at the improvement in quality obtained by any of the three when compared to the freebie lead supplied by the makers.

Termination:

At the wall end you can specify:

At the equipment end you can specify:

Pin plating:

Brass, Silver or Gold. Please see explanatory note below

To our ears, on a wide range of equipment, the difference we can hear between any two identical lengths of either of the two levels of construction is very slight indeed.

So, this begs the question; why offer alternative plating options?

Simply because during the run-up to commissioning the prototypes, a significant number of people said they’d like the option to choose. Like an idiot though, I forgot to ask then which of the three plating options they were most likely to choose! Ho hum.

Questions re Cassiel?

Try here: http://www.stereo-now.co.uk/qa.html

How to get a fixed price quotation on Cassiel optimised-for-STAX power cords

Just complete the simple form here:

http://www.stereo-now.co.uk/contact_stereonow.html and you should receive a price within 24 hours excluding national holidays and weekends.

Thank you.

 

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