Silver Streak Review
Wednesday, 2nd December 2015
Kimber's great value Silver Streak analogue interconnects are the subject of a review in the January 2016 edition of Hi-Fi Choice magazine.
The version of the cable under review is a standard single-ended design but the reviewer is quick to point out that balanced* and attenuated** versions are also available – see below.
Fitting the cable between his CD player and Amp, he starts with a recording of Vivaldi's Sonatas For Flute Op.10 and is immediately impressed with the results: "it is evident that the Silver Streak produces masses of detail with no strain or unpleasant edge to the sound". "Overall", he continues, "the balance is accurately focused, natural sounding and realistic". This is worth taking on board because it allays any fears that the presence of silver in a cable will bring with it a brittleness and harshness to the sound - in our opinion, Kimber's decision to only use only the highest quality silver is key to this.
The next test is Beethoven's 9th Symphony Ode to Joy, a piece chosen specifically because the orchestral climaxes "and choir can end up sounding like a muddy blur". No such problems with the Silver Streak though, "which allows the full force of the performance to sing through with tremendous power". Unlike his other experiences, now "the result is an uncluttered sound with a wide and spacious three-dimensional soundstage".
Time for a change of genre, and this time it's Jazz with Michael Kaeshammer's interpretation of Caravan from the album Tell You How I Feel. Here "reproduction of the piano is very clean and believable... with a smooth and rich sound throughout". "The bass is tight and well controlled", he contin
ues, "and the high hi-hats are crisp and ringing without being edgy".
Finally, Nigel Kennedy's interpretation of the Brubeck classic Take Five from his album Recital gets a play and, once again, Silver Streak delivers the goods. He notes that "there is no sense that the last drop of energy is being squeezed out of the system. Instead, the music sounds effortless; Kennedy's virtuosity shines through and his violin sings out with no edginess or brashness".
Buy Silver Streak here
* The balanced version of Silver Streak uses two silver conductors for the balanced signal and one copper conductor for the return. This doubling up of the silver conductors is the reason that the balanced version carries a premium over the single-ended one.
**At the beginning of the review, Neville Roberts praises the fact the Silver Streak is available in an attenuated version. Many, if not the majority, of CD players have an output of between 2V rms and 2.5V rms which is often far too high for the amplifier's input sensitivity. We believe that this is often a cause of the harsh sound that is often found with CD payback. Attenuation reduces the output, allowing far more control over the amplifier's volume and reducing the level of distortion that can be introduced through this overload. Add attenuation on this cable – contact us to discuss the best value for your system.
Written By Simon Dalton
Comments
reviewed by peter brewster
22 Mar 2023
"Mr"
My CD output is 2.3v and the amp is 240 mv sensitivity so will -16 attenuation be OK?Thank You, Peter.
Customer Service Reply Hi Peter
Yes, I'd say -16dB should be about perfect for the levels you've given.
Peter, Russ Andrews sale team
Yes, I'd say -16dB should be about perfect for the levels you've given.
Peter, Russ Andrews sale team
RSS Subscribe
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Pinterest
Find us on Google Plus
