THE CABLES
WIth the cable offerings on the market one can quickly become a wicked minded and lost in the variety of choices. In past few years we've seen the rise of vast cable manufacturing. They all approach the creation process differently and trying to fill up not so small, but still a niche market as seeing from outside of high-end audio society. Yet, not so small at all when we look at things globally.
Now, there are cables and there are THE CABLES. An experience ear can quickly spot the difference and recognise not only the sound quality propensity, but also the build quality and unique technology behind being implemented in right way.
There is an easy and fast way to produce cables and there is painstaking one. With "borderless" factory reach anyone can obtain not only OEM materials, but already finished products signed with desired logo and graphics. An instant success one might say. There is no doubt that industry have progress in their ways. Last decade or two brought us unthinkable ways of dealing and treating the materials. From Cyro freezing to nano tech. It would be wrong to say that this new age process and materials didn't brought the sound advancement. They did and they also have their noticeable place in the high-end audio industry. It's just a matter of applying them.
Is there then a place for the "slow" process in this day and age? You bet! It seems, that despite the overgrowing speed demanding life's pace, more and more people are starting to cherish when things are being made by hands and created in more traditional way.
PATRICK BACKGROUND
Patrick Rindisbacher was born in 1968 in Cape Town ( South Africa ), although of Swiss nationality, in this country he was formed professionally in electronic. Since he was very young, Patrick R. had passion for the music, devoting much time listening, composing, playing piano, synthesizers and drums.
The beginnings of Element47 began in the late ninetees. when Patrick R. due to the progress of his disability, was forced to stop playing instruments. Together with a friend (guitarist of the group where they played together), they decide to venture into the world of High End audio cables, started experimenting with prototypes of cables made in very simple way.
They decided to use conductors of 24 k gold and high purity silver alloy, since several well-known world manufacturers, used these two precious metals.
Due to various circumstances, Patrick R. continued with the project alone, months later, José Antonio Toribio another friend, joined to the project, which also has audio and high-end as a hobby.
Approximately after one year, José Antonio T. left the project, since he had to invest constantly and could not follow this.
During the next aprox. twelve years Patrick R. keeped on researching and developing new constructions, modifying the precious metal alloys, achieving breakthroughs. In some constructions, he began to use copper of high purity rather than precious metals, to analyze and compare how the copper performed.
During those twelve years, he carried out many tests, auditions, and comparisons with cables from different manufacturers of renowned prestige, which enabled him to analyze the pros and cons of each manufacturer and what had to be improved to achieve the long-sought "musical excellence", a cable which does not distort the audio signal.
After all the years of work and research, Patrick R. came to the conclusion that several factors caused the audio signal degradation/modification at all known cables. With this knowledge in 2010 created and developed a unique worldwide new concept of cable design and construction, calling it "Suspended Conductor Technology" abbreviated S.C.T. that neutralized all of these undesirable factors.
This design would provide unimaginable results with unknown performance. For aprox. three years Patrick R. kept the design in secret.
Twelve years later, at the end of the year 2011 Jose Antonio T. rejoined the project of Patrick R... At the beginning of the year 2012 they built the first cables with the S.C.T. design... with a outstanding performance, impressive neutrality and resolution that has never has been heared on any cable.
Patrick R. and Jose Antonio T. patented the new design ( patent pending worldwide ) and in the middle of the year 2013 Jose Antonio created the company – INSIGNIA AUDIO TECHNOLOGY, months later Diederick Meijer ( Dutch ) joined the team, graduated in international trade, responsible for marketing and sales of the brand Element47.
HISTORY OF ELEMENT47
At the beginning of the year 2000 our career started, bringing out the first cables.
Surpassing the line that separates the simple sonorous quality of what we would call musical excellence was always the main objective of Element47.
Our eagerness, to favor the sonorous signal to travel pure and integral with no loss, reaching our ears with all the spectacularness of "live music". The authentic passion for the music in which we always live immersed, has supplied us the boldness and the sufficient ingenuity to advance in this line
The solid starting point starts of the experience and deep know-how in engineering and conformation of the sound that our profession confers us.
One of the fundamental pillars of our designs are the high quality materials that we use, from the dielectrics to the conductors ( gold, silver or copper ), always of the highest purity. According to our criteria, we omit absolutely of any filter or intermediary electronic element.
This time of meticulous work has been the background of this project, that has taken shape thanks to the painstaking mode of manufacturing ( totally handmade ), of which we have always done gala.
The obtained results have been the impulse to go forward. It is for this reason that during these years of research and countless tests, auditions and meticulous analysis of each acoustic detail, have allowed us to develop the unique “state of art” design “S.C.T.” ( Suspended Conductor Technology ), patent pending worldwide by Element47.
We remain faithful and constant in our own line of work and research, being executed by highly qualified hands and later submitted to exhaustive and rigorous manufacture quality controls.
A small talk about the S.C.T. / Suspended Conductor Technology
In the year 2010 Patrick Rindisbacher designs and develops the S.C.T. / Suspended Conductor Technology, worldwide a unique and innovative technology.
With this innovative design ( in process of global patent by Element47 ), Element47 sets new guidelines in the sector of Ultra High End cables.
It is a unique and avant-garde design worldwide, throughout the manufacturing process must be totally done by hand, since there are no machines that they could do this painstaking work. Some models are so complex that it takes 5 days to manufacture them.
Due to the complexity in order to be able to manufacture these cables, Element47 had to design and develop special tools and parts, without them, this new design could not be carried out.
As it says the S.C.T. / Suspended Conductor Technology, the conductors are suspended; air is the main dielectric along with the teflon and polyethylene.
Advantages of the S.C.T. :
- Eliminates the degradation of the signal produced by the direct contact between dielectric and conductor.
- Reduces almost completely the interaction of the electromagnetic fields between the conductors.
- Extracts the maximum qualities that a specific conductor could deliver.
- Diminishes drastically the break-in time to a few hours.
- These cables can reproduce each detail of any musical piece with a outstanding tonal balance with a realistic soundstage.
- Dynamic and precise in all frequencies, free of distortions and colorations, totally neutral, emphasizing the naturalness.
- Impressive holographic and very emotional music scenery, perceiving all the details of the recording place, being a total revelation for the listener.
GETTING INTO THE CORE OF 47TH ELEMENT
Even the first encounter with the Black Master S.C.T. cables provided very positive emotions. From dedicated black stylish boxes to the substantial feeling of the cables everything feels more then well thought and refined.
Like I said in the introduction. There are cables and there are THE CABLES. And without the doubt Black Master S.C.T. cables falls into the second bold recognition.
THE AUDIO LADDER
I'm probably one of the few reviewers who never decline to take the cables for a a review, if I find something that I can relate to. Something that moves me. Cables do matter and whoever tells you they don't you just smile irrelevantly at them. I learned over the years that it's simple a waste of time and nerves to elaborate with some people about cables significance. In the end both side will just come out angry. Our life's to short for arguing endlessly. There is enough human wisdom to leave happily on both accounts.
So where does Element47 distinction kick in? In reviews both manufacturers and customer want to learn the brand positioning and place in high-end audio industry. From manufacturer point of view there is a needed positioning between the competition and seeing their hard work being recognised. On the customer side, they're seeking their best value for money, performance and value of investment. The thing is... When cables are being made in a certain artisan way, there is no way that price will be bellow certain price points. These usually starts with two three thousands and go on up to the stratosphere. At this price points the demands of the listeners are set reasonably high and expectations are sky high.
We all seen the rise of audiophile awareness and knowledge. In the age of the information where people can relatively quickly do their homework, meaning they're not likely going to be taken for fools there is no long run for frauds or snake oils. I see that part of information challenge as a great thing. In this way manufacturers are being pushed to strive always for better products and innovative ways to improve their products and customers get and elaborated and researched products.
At the end it's a matter of choice and decision everyone is taking in spending their hard earned money, yet there are strong ground to create an objective perspective of information being on the hand.
COMPARING
I won't say I'm the smartest or most experienced person to deal with cables on planet, but in past few years I've probably put my hands and hear on so many cables, that I doubt many come close. Among other things in high-end audio, cables specially intrigues me. Not only basic impedance matching and tuning as for example Transparent audio do, but the things then further refine and explore the materials, crystal structure, conductivity, dialectics etc. There are always ways of improvement to be had. We're accustomed to see a progression in all other fields of industry and science. Why should high-end audio and for that matter cable industry be any different? It's clear nonsense not to expect more...
My urge and passion to explore cables perhaps give me an unique view and feeling into the overall views and a sharper ears for critical dismantling of needed :).
Element47 clearly spend quite some time and funds in pursuing their views and approaches of cable manufacturing. Like with few others that clearly made a difference when competing with big and established names like MIT, Nordost, Transparent etc. Element47 brings their empowerment to the table with a valuable portion.
There was no doubt from the start that the Black Master cables are something worthy of attention. Like some of my previous experience with esoteric cabling from that European part of the world Element 47 is not going for the bling factor. They're designed very nicely, but do not employ luxury item feeling, but elegance and performance. In the times where high-end audio is being pushed by luxury labelings of all sorts it's great to see other way around. We want luxury performance. The luxury of music so to speak and this is the Element47 point of entrance.
THE MUSIC
In past ten, fifteen years basic, primary needs of cables performance shifted to a point or standard that previously didn't make that much need or even sense. The basic role of synergy was upgraded to the higher broader demand. It's strongly expected, that contemporary cabling cover the wide range of use. What exactly?
In this price range and people being interested, the need of jointly performance of analog and digital signals in mandatory. This means, that cables needs to serve both antidotes equally.
Now... Speed, transparency, liquidity etc. can work easily for one pole. In making both analog and digital signal flow without restrictions, things get a bit more complicated and complex. Ones advantage can quickly become other side disadvantage. Seamlessly joining the both analog and digital stand out performance is not an easy task. You can easily argue and defend the lack of performance when it comes to lower entry level cable offerings, but when three zeros are added expectations are suddenly of complete different nature.
We have more then enough reference analog material on our shelfs. In past few years digital reference audio mediums brought (and keep brining) the challenging efforts and improvements. With enough high resolution or quality mastered red book music to easily fill up the missing digital reference gap there is no excuse to take digital audio as serious as analog.
Element47 Black Master cables comes with the years of back up mileage from their creators and with enough contemporary impact of technology to join both natures into the musical and transparent presentation.
FIM vinyl and CD's offer a Winston Ma's vison and passion of brining the best of music on both mediums in most equal way. First Impression Music releases are on hand "tools" to quickly compare two worlds and draw the line of judging them critically objective.
After all the years of listening, my criteria of cables judging comes down to the ability of carrying out the message of music intact as possible. This means, that cables shall be translucent medium that empower the interaction between the performer and listener without fail. Not such an easy task as it might sounds like.
Element47 Black Master cables holds enough ability to present things as they are. We to often stumble on cables that brake the holographic and atmospheric presentation of music. This is even more evident with quality analog recordings where three dimensionality is far more avidly present. There is no hankering if cables "kill" this attribute. They fail or they bring. Along with speed and down to earth transparency atmosphere all three in unison should provide enough ability to "reconstruct" the audio illusion of certain musical event. But, it doesn't stop here. When all these in roll, we're left with one last and perhaps ultimate challenge. If nothing is hold back, then emotional flow and impact of music is possible. This is where "magic" of music happens. This is where interaction become alive and potently energetic.
Black Master are on the right path that serves music and fluidity first. For any audio connoisseur this should be the primal goal. Not the technical aspect of brining things to life, but life's emotional energy. This is where Element47 strike the right balance.
CONCLUSION
In the fierce market of high-end audio cables Element47 Black Master cables found their spot under the sun. They're combining the artisan feeling of things being made with the performance boost hardly achieved in prior times. Patrick dedication and heritage "clocked" something unique enough to stand out on its own.
In the world where bling factor and price sticker control many people minds, Element47 Black Master cables offer a fresh change into the price segment, that could add zero instantly when being presented by some other company.
The feeling, the performance, the sound and overall substantial experience makes Black Master cables more then interesting addition to what seems never ending cable offerings of last decade.
Do your homework and do not pass this Spanish creations for you connection your musical system. They can not just change your perception, but enrich the musical experiance by quite some margin.
PRODUCT LINE
BLACK MASTER / S.C.T. ( Speaker )
Our reference model, with the unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology ), performs way above the known limits, marking new guidelines in the "High-End" audio cables sector.
Completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements ( high purity copper ), produced explicitly for Element 47 with very precise metallurgical parameters.
The used dielectrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylen
BLACK MASTER / S.C.T. (Analog)
Our reference model, with the unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology ), performs way above the known limits, marking new guidelines in the "High-End" audio cables sector.
Completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements ( high purity copper ), produced explicitly for Element 47 with very precise metallurgical parameters.
The used dielectrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylen
PRELUDE / S.C.T. ( Speaker )
The most affordable model, with unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology ) performs far above a lot more expensive cables.
Completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements ( high purity copper ), are the same used in our reference series ( Black Master ), produced explicitly for Element 47 with very precise metallurgical parameters.
The used dieléctrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylene
PRELUDE / S.C.T. ( Analog )
The most affordable model, with unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology ) performs far above a lot more expensive cables.
Completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements ( high purity copper ), are the same used in our reference series ( Black Master ), produced explicitly for Element 47 with very precise metallurgical parameters.
The used dieléctrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylene
GEISHA / S.C.T. ( Digital )
Digital model, with a outstanding performance using our unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology )
Completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements are composed of 24karat gold alloyed with high purity silver, produced explicitly for Element 47.
The used dielectrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylene
JUMPERS / S.C.T. ( Black Master / Prelude )
Jumpers with the unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology ), completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements ( high purity copper ), produced explicitly for Element 47 with very precise metallurgical parameters.
The used dielectrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylen
POWER CABEL / S.C.T. – Coming soon!.
PHONO CABEL / S.C.T. – Coming soon!.
Prices of reviewed cables:
Element 47 are looking for the worldwide distributors. For the further info please contact them via their website bellow.
http://www.element47.es
Matej Isak. Mono and Stereo ultra high end audio magazine. All rights reserved. 2006-2013. www.monoandstereo.com. ..:: None of the original text, pictures, that were taken by me, links or my original files can be re-printed or used in any way without prior permission! ::..
The most affordable model, with unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology ) performs far above a lot more expensive cables.
Completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements ( high purity copper ), are the same used in our reference series ( Black Master ), produced explicitly for Element 47 with very precise metallurgical parameters.
The used dieléctrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylene
GEISHA / S.C.T. ( Digital )
Digital model, with a outstanding performance using our unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology )
Completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements are composed of 24karat gold alloyed with high purity silver, produced explicitly for Element 47.
The used dielectrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylene
JUMPERS / S.C.T. ( Black Master / Prelude )
Jumpers with the unique “state of art” design S.C.T. ( Suspended Conductor Technology ), completely manufactured, taking care with meticulousness of each detail during the painstaking assembly process.
The conductive elements ( high purity copper ), produced explicitly for Element 47 with very precise metallurgical parameters.
The used dielectrics: air, Teflon and Polyethylen
POWER CABEL / S.C.T. – Coming soon!.
PHONO CABEL / S.C.T. – Coming soon!.
Prices of reviewed cables:
*BLACK MASTER – JUMPERS / BANANA - 2300€
*BLACK MASTER INTERCONNECT 1 METER / RCA - 4900€
*BLACK MASTER INTERCONNECT 1.5 METER / RCA - 6350€
*BLACK MASTER SPEAKER CABLE 2.5 METERS / SPADE - 16030€
Element 47 are looking for the worldwide distributors. For the further info please contact them via their website bellow.
http://www.element47.es
Matej Isak. Mono and Stereo ultra high end audio magazine. All rights reserved. 2006-2013. www.monoandstereo.com. ..:: None of the original text, pictures, that were taken by me, links or my original files can be re-printed or used in any way without prior permission! ::..