Phase I Kaleidoscope Review

I read Stereophile's review of these cables in the October issue and became fascinated with the idea of active shielding. Recent articles on impedance matching and active shielding (which I am familiar with from my electronics background for test instrumentation) seem to truly offer a real possibility for improvement with scientifically demonstrable results.

Active shielding involves placing a DC current onto the outer cable shield to (supposedly) eliminate voltage "leaching". I would more properly expect it to act as an electromagnetic shield and possible actually decrease resistance and definitely affect impedance.

I hooked them up between my Muse Model 2 dac and the Denon 5700 preamp.

Since they were used I did not wait for an extensive break-in but let them warm up for several hours without the "Active Shielding" turned on.

Before going to sleep I powered up the Active Shielding and went to bed.

Later the next afternoon, I was finally able to listen. Immediately the sound stage was immensely increased and the silence was now deafening.

Although I thought my system was as quiet and noise free as it can possibly get, these cables actually had a noticeable effect.

The soundstage is what I think will most impress listeners however; on some tracks it now extends 270 degrees around the sides! I don't know how that is possible, but several friends commented on it as well.

I tired another CD I have heard a good part of my life- "Rumours" as I'm sure many of you have. I am able to pick out each voice during the chorus as distinctly as if they were singing solo.

Synergistic Research Kaleidoscope Phase I with Active Shielding is well worth a try in your system.