 I approached this test, the first test of the cables of the Japanese company Acrolink in Poland, three times. In my first approach I wanted to test a set of cables, composed of the interconnect 7N-D5000, loudspeaker cable 6N-S7000 and a power cable 6N-PC6100, exactly the set that was mentioned in the contents of the May issue (Nr 49). I got the system for testing long ago and it was OK. The cables turned out to be extremely well done, very “true” in their character, not following the Japanese tendency to slightly warm the sound (I generalize, but this is my impression), warm it in a way that goes in the direction of very emotional and intimate choice, but that in time leaves things like resolution behind. Acrolink was different – it could seem that is has a slightly rounded attack, still its open timbre, strong frequency range borders and splendid dynamics placed it on a different path. I like this character in accessories (and cables are accessories), because this allows me to consciously choose the main elements of the system. This is why I still use the interconnect and loudspeaker cable from Velum, despite the fact, that a few years passed since I included it in my system. And Acrolink went in exactly the same direction offering better saturation from itself. )
That is why, intrigued by the changes, I asked to exchange the loudspeaker cable to a higher model, from the 7N series, just like the interconnect. And the change was huge – the cable 7N S9000 belonging to the highest series Mexcel turned out to be phenomenal. Listened to together with my dream speaker cable, costing 50000zl (for a 2x3m with endings), the Tara Labs Omega, it was not that natural, not that saturated, but taking into account the threefold difference in price, it was not so “bad”, in contrary – it was one of the few cables I remember, that could take on the fight with the Tara, and although it was worse, no shame was taken. So I had already two cables from the Mexcel 7N series and the power cable 6N. I think you can guess what happened next? That is easy – I had to reach for the last part of the 7N chain. And I received it – the power cables 7N PC7100. And so it all started… So I listened first to the interconnect and the speaker cable, it was splendid, and then, separately, to the power cables. And something magical happened. I am talking as a figure of speech, because here normal physics works, but as nobody can rationally explain how one and a half meters of power cable can modify the sound in such a radical way, we must – just like in the Middle Ages – come to magic. And the Acrolink 7N PC7100, from the first shot, from the first connection, was like a blow in the face. A positive one, refreshing, but a blow. Because my system sounded as if I would exchange one of the components to a twice more expensive one. Because I never had something like that happen before, and against appearances I am skeptical to “magic” cables and “throwing all over” products, I borrowed the cables to two of my acquaintances, and at the home of one of them, Janusz Stopa, I arranged a listening session. Before I reached his place I received the information, that Janusz ordered by the distributor three of such cables – for the transport and the two mono converters of the Ancient Audio Lektor Grand SE player. Hmm… Janusz is not a person that easily throws away money and he bought some time ago the Omega and the interconnect ISM The 0.8 from the same company, and that was a big thing. And he was fighting with the power since some time – about one a half years – listening to all what is available in to hi-end. And now, after two days he does not tell anything, but behind our backs, not waiting for our blessing, he buys Akrolink! Of course I am joking about the blessing, but the action was so fast, that it was strange. But it was strange only until I heard what Akrolink does in the Ancient system. Those were miracles. That is why I decided to present this cable separately, leaving the interconnect and the speaker cable for later. And of course I asked Janusz to write down his impressions. )
SOUND - Janusz Stopa Acrolink, in contrast to other power cables I heard, offered the most positive aspects of the sound. I compare it with the following power cables: Tara One, Acustic Zen Gargantua II and Absolute, Fadel Art Coherence, Nordost Valhalla, Shuniata Anakonda, XlO UnLimited and Limited as well as Siltech Ruby Hill. All those cables offered characteristics, that could allow them to stay in the system, with certain preferences. This is especially true for the XLO Limited, because this is the cable with exceptional sweetness and emotion. It shows many details and small tidbits, but for me it is a bit too “slow”, exposing slightly but noticeably the lower part of the frequency spectrum, what should not be surprising regarding the American roots of the cable. In other words a good, maybe even very good cable, but not an ideal. For somebody with clear preferences. Acrolink 7N PC7100 combines all the positive characteristics of the other cables in one “package”. That what was possible after plugging in the interconnects or speaker cables happened now after plugging in the power cables. I just mention that I used three cables – one for the transport and two for the converters. So now in short what happened after plugging in the Acrolink 7N PC7100 to my system:
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The whole frequency range was shown even, without overdraw and emphasis. The sound surrounded with a phenomenal amount of details, both musical and extra-musical ones, but without dispersing attention.And a final remark – A REVELATION!! SOUND – Wojciech Pacuła I also ordered two power cables 7N PC 7100 for myself. I could not do otherwise. Although with the power amplifier Luxman M-800A the changes were not overwhelming and I did not feel the need to exchange the cable Oyaide Tunami Nigo with beryllium plugs F1 (description HERE) for Acrolinka. It was better, but not so much better that I would decide to bottom my bank account. But the case was different with the preamplifier and CD player (Leben RS-28CX and Ancient Audio Lektor Prime). Here the change was huge. Everything bettered. Presence, separation, saturation, etc. Everything. Because most things were called upon by Janusz, so I just add a few remarks from my system. First of all the bass was made stronger, now better controlled and better saturated, The upper midrange was stronger, maybe by 1mm too strong for my taste (I am talking about an ideal situation), but maybe the character of the cables and my speakers superimposed (Harpia Acoustics Dobermann and the mentioned Velum). The switch from the Oyaide cables I used to the Akrolink was like going from a European pressing of a good jazz disc to its Japanese counterpart. I am not joking and not exaggerating. I think I did not become mad either. I think… There is no way back for me. This does not happen often with me, as I became quite immune to change and revelation – testing a dozen of devices every month I had to develop something like this, or I would loose ground under my feet, meaning the support of my reference system (reference means here that this is something that I compare to, and not necessarily the best one in the world) to which I refer the tested products. The cables are ordered and I am waiting. This is lots of money, and three meters of a cable with plugs are not worth it and never will be. But they do something nothing else does. That is why I must have them. DESCRIPTION )
The Japanese interestingly talk about their company, so I want to start with a few words about it, that are found on their web page: The answer to this question lies in the very nature of music itself: recorded music consists of a complex matrix of an enormous quantity of information, and every minute rise and fall contributes towards our overall musical impression. It follows that the higher the frequency, the more quickly it must rise at a steeper ascent, and therefore it is essential for cable to have ultimate high speed capability in order to deliver a clearer transmission and decay of the signal…even far beyond the supposed capability of human hearing. As audiophiles, we place great importance upon such subtle elements the as musicians' tone of expression, touch, personality, quality of voice/instruments, temperature, atmosphere etc. It is the interaction of these delicate and minute shapes of information that draw us into the music emotionally. At Acrolink we have resolved to convey these essential elements of musical enjoyment by developing innovative "lateral-thinking" concepts divergent from traditional methods. This fresh approach ensures that our cables are able to operate in the crucial realm of frequencies that lie beyond normal audio range. )
The answer to this question lies in the very nature of music itself: recorded music consists of a complex matrix of an enormous quantity of information, and every minute rise and fall contributes towards our overall musical impression. It follows that the higher the frequency, the more quickly it must rise at a steeper ascent, and therefore it is essential for cable to have ultimate high speed capability in order to deliver a clearer transmission and decay of the signal…even far beyond the supposed capability of human hearing. As audiophiles, we place great importance upon such subtle elements the as musicians' tone of expression, touch, personality, quality of voice/instruments, temperature, atmosphere etc. It is the interaction of these delicate and minute shapes of information that draw us into the music emotionally. At Acrolink we have resolved to convey these essential elements of musical enjoyment by developing innovative "lateral-thinking" concepts divergent from traditional methods. This fresh approach ensures that our cables are able to operate in the crucial realm of frequencies that lie beyond normal audio range. ACROLINK is the sole producer of documented stress-free 7N (purer than 99.99999%) copper in the world. This obviously requires the most advanced refining facilities available. Our entirely new conductors were produced in a joint-venture with Mitsubishi Cable Industries Ltd., the top-ranked cable manufacturer to the space industry.” The conductive core of the cable 7100, and we have three of such cores, is made from 100 copper wires 7N (99.999997% pure) with a diameter of 0,26 mm each. The wires were subdued to the “stress-free” process that should help to keep the crystalline coherence and eliminate the external influence on the crystals. This is what Akrolink claims. The wires are isolated with a polymer named polyolefin, that is characterized with a very low dielectrical constant – 0.33 of polypropylene and 0.25 PVC. The plugs are a masterpiece of the company – those are manufactured by Oyaide on request and are composed of a carbon plait, tightened from below by an aluminum collar. Their metal elements are gold plated and rhodium covered, and hand polished before applying a subsequent layer. They look great, as does the whole cable.
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