I needed some short runs of high quality cable to connect my monoblock amplifiers to my loudspeakers.
The Viganoni & Viganoni Sachem v2 uses a Neutrik NL2FC connector. Having reviewed and adopted the Montaudio Bowen interconnects, I knew that their cable is high performance. The build quality and appearance are superb, too, at a reasonable price. Crucially, the cores had to fit into the plug terminals.
The Sachem amplifier delivers fast, very clean, dynamic output, so the cable needed had to operate as a pathway that would not adversely affect the driving of my loudspeakers.
The CH-1 Audiophile Grade Speaker Cable is a 14AWG high purity Silver hybrid 5N with 2 cores of high purity (99.9997%) LC-OFC, and 2 cores of Silver-plated LC-OFC, with an 11.5mm outer diameter matt Gold-coloured heat/moisture-resistant PE sleeve. The “N” number in 5N refers to degree of Copper purity. 5 refers to five nines as in 99.999% purity. It turns out the Chatham is almost 6N!
I enquired to the Montaudio team, asking for a recommendation for my application, and the Chatham CH-1 was selected, with bare ends.
The intention of using two pairs is to obtain a smooth hybrid of the fullness of pure Copper and the brightness of the Silver.
The Copper, Silver, Gold trinity is the stuff of alchemic dreams.
The ancient ‘pre-science’ of alchemy was a form of speculative thought that, among other aims, tried to transform base metals such as Lead or Copper into Silver or Gold, and to discover a cure for disease and a way of extending life.
Silver is one of the seven metals of alchemy (Gold, Silver, Mercury (aka Quicksilver), Copper, Lead, Iron & Tin). Silver was considered the penultimate transition metal from Copper to Gold. The symbol for Silver is also associated with the Moon in astrology. Copper is an essential nutrient vital to the health of all living things, and it heals. Gold represents the perfection of all matter, including mind, spirit, and soul. The symbol for Gold also represents the Sun.
Alchemy is the process of taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary, sometimes in a way that cannot be explained. The Alchemist is that special person who transforms things for the better. That has been the common theme in the products I’ve tried from Montaudio.
In this case, I reckon the alchemy has created a kiwi speaker cable worthy of an audiophile’s dream. It’s made of Copper and Silver, and it enables my system to create pure sonic Gold.
Is it merely coincidence that the Atomic Numbers of Cu (29) + Ag (47) = 76, and the Atomic Number of Gold (Au) is 79?
I’ve enjoyed many many hours of music listening bliss with my partnership of Sachem amplifiers (also designed and built in New Zealand) and Audio Pro Avanti A.100 DC powered speakers (from Sweden), and the Chatham CH-1 (New Zealand) cable is a welcome new member of the team.
Music & Hi-fi Appreciations 