THE CD PLAYER PLUS - Ultra High Fidelity Magazine

Listening Feedback Room
Three HDMI Cables
Connecting to an HDTV via HDMI, which is an all-digital pipeline, gives such
sound seemed to wrap itself about us.
Gerard noted some spatial cues from the
rear, totally absent with the Sony. “This
is good enough to stand on its own as a
pure music recording,” said Steve.
superior results that other connecting methods, such as component video, should We didn’t want to end the session
not even be considered, But are all HDMI cables alike?
without playing a conventional DVD.
We knew the answer to that, because we had had occasion to compare our Atlas We picked the director’s cut of Amadeus.
HDMI cable to one of those cables that come free with various gear. Big difference. It has now been released in Blu-ray, by
But we had a couple of other cables in hand, one with a brand name, the other the way, though we’ll get to that another
not.
time. We began with chapter 39, with an
This was a blind test for Albert and Steve, who were not told what this com- ailing Mozart conducting the Queen of
parison was all about. We viewed once again the IMAX scene from Blue Planet, the Night scene from The Magic Flute.
using our Atlas HDMI cable (C$110 for 1.5 m). We then viewed it again with two After the intense sessions with
other cables.
Blu-ray discs, dropping down to DVD
The first test cable actually was a bit of a shock. “You hear people
has no name. It’s made in China, claim there isn’t a lot of difference,” said
as are even many cables with Gerard. “They should watch Blu-ray for
famous names. The workman- a while, and then drop down to standard
ship is impressive, as is the price: definition. That’s when it really hits
under US$10. It was amazingly you.”
good, to the point that Albert Indeed, with the Sony it left a good
and Steve saw little difference. deal to be desired. The high notes were
Gerard thought the scenes seemed too sharp, even shrill at times, and even
flattened out a little, but he knew the orchestra was a little edgy. The
what the cable cost.
candle lit theatre interior was murky.
The second cable is from a Gerard likened the applause to buckshot
company called PPC, which has dropped on a tin roof.
introduced an innovation: an The Pioneer player couldn’t turn
HDMI conductor that locks, that into Blu-ray, but the difference
much like an XLR connector. Since HDMI connectors tend to fit tightly you might was anything but subtle. The voice was
think that superfluous, but professional installers might disagree. They know what smoothed out, and the orchestra took
it’s like to get a late evening phone call because the customer’s dog has dislodged a on body. “It’s not really surround,” said
cable, and no one knows where it’s supposed to Why go. We had a seen free the PPC connector version? Albert, “but it’s detailed, and it’s not all
in Vegas, and asked whether the company planned to license it. No, we were told, closed in. This player is the audiophile’s
PPC would use it on its own cables. A pity, we thought. For years now, we have been publishing, best on friend.” our Web The site, applause a free PDF was much
Well, we need not have worried, because the version cable turned of our in magazine. a very good perform- improved as well, and we could now see
ance. “I liked it best,” said Steve. “I was focusing The on various reason is aspects simple. of We the know image, you’re into looking the half for shadows information, in the and theatre,
looking for detail and clarity. On the image of that the is thunderstorm almost certainly seen why from you’ve space, come to “I visit really our have site. to And pick that’s up the why Blu-ray
there were better nuances in the shades of blue we give on the away horizon.” what some Gerard competitors thought consider version,” to be said a Gerard. startlingly large
there were more tonal nuances, and slightly amount bluer whites. of information…for Albert identified free. a pos- We were left in no doubt that we had
sible improvement in contrast, though he judged We it not would significant. give it all away for free, if done we could well still to upgrade stay in business. to the Pioneer.
The PPC costs US$73 for our 12-foot length. Recent figures indicate that each issue It is lacks getting some downloaded features found as many on the
as 100,000 times, and that figure keeps growing. competition, but they’re not perfor-
Yes, we know, if we had a nickel for each mance download… features. We are of course left
the Sony, but Albert wasn’t satisfied, You can Truth even is, make we’re out in the the business occasional of helping wondering you enjoy whether music some at home (presumably
blaming the lackluster sound on the rustling under of the pages best by possible the musicians.” conditions. And expensive) movies too. upscale We’ll famous-name do what we need Blu-ray
limitations of a live production. “I have to There do in might order have to get been the information an improve- to players you. will emerge to put this one in the
a studio recording of this scene, and it ment in Of the course, image we as also well. want Gerard you said to read he our shade. published editions too. We
sounds way better,” he said.
noticed hope that, early having in the scene read this that far, Fleming you’ll want to Our read guess on.
is yes, and having this
With the Pioneer it sounded radically was barefoot, something not evident already excellent player puts us in a
better, and we glanced at each other as with the slightly more diffused image position to make comparisons. It took
the strings picked up the theme. “You’re from the Sony, but our discussion cen- the Compact Disc years to go from its
just arrested right away by the sound of tred almost entirely around the music. shrill, thin beginnings to genuine high
the strings,” said Albert, “not to mention The orchestra seemed farther forward, fidelity. We expect Blu-ray to continue
the woodwinds and the French horns. for one thing, as it would be in the actual evolving for a while too, and we’ll be
Fleming’s voice is particularly present. opera house, and the warm, majestic watching with great interest.
38 ULTRA HIGH FIDELITY Magazine