Sure they sound good; we've read few reviews and comments:
"I recently purchased a complete set of the Von Schweikert Audio Master-Built cables. A four meter set of the VSA Ultimate Reference interconnects (balanced) now connect an ARC REF-3 control amp to a pair of Spectron Musician III Mk2 power amps (with V-cap and Bybee upgrades). VSA Signature biwire speaker cables connect the Spectrons to VSA VR-5 Anniversaries. A pair of the VSA Signature Chords power the Spectrons. A one meter set of the VSA interconnects (also balanced) will connect a new DAC to the REF-3. For the moment, I'm using a basic Sony BluRay player, a BDP-BX2, for digital input through old single-ended interconnects after my long term DAC lost a channel a few weeks ago. I got the VSA cabling all at the same time, receiving them ten days ago. I've used or heard various manufacturers' cables over the last 30 years or more, but this is my first experience with the VSA cables.
Last fall I moved from a house with a listening room of about 14' x 21' to one with a listening room of 20' x 50' to 70' with an arched ceiling of 9' to 10' 9". After moving to the new location, I've had several conversations with Albert regarding the possibility of adding a pair of his subwoofers. My system seemed to lack deep bass impact and extension in the larger space. First, though, I decided to try a set of the VSA cables. I ordered a full set, since Albert and the folks at Delphi Aerospace emphasize that to hear the cables' potential you need to have them throughout the component chain. A no-risk return policy convinced me to try the set.
The interconnects and speaker cables were conditioned at VSA for 300 to 500 hours on a cable cooker. The power cords were not conditioned. I was told that the power cords would reach most of their potential in two weeks or so, but would sound pretty good out of the box.
I installed the speaker cables first. This resulted in improved frequency extremes, speed, and dynamic contrasts. The most noticeable characteristic was a sense of balance and consistency throughout the frequency range. This is one of the things I expected with the high purity 100% copper design. Previous cables I've auditioned that had multiple metal alloy compositions always had dissimilar sonic signatures in various portions of the spectrum.
Next I added the interconnects feeding the Spectrons. This expanded the qualities I heard in the speaker cables. First, the sense of frequency balance and smoothness was increased. By smoothness, I don't mean rolled off or opaque, but a gentleness on the ear, still with fast transients when they occur (in spades) and with more air, not glassy or aggressive. I really noticed the correctness of the presentation after attending an opera on the day after the cables arrived. There's nothing like a live orchestra in an excellent venue and unamplified voices to recalibrate your aural judgment. The interconnects added, or more correctly, allowed more dynamics, micro dynamics, transient detail, and depth to come through. Instruments had more of their correct timbre and much of an upper midrange congestion that I had been living with was eliminated. Keep in mind that the source end of my system is still hobbled with an entry level player and single ended non-VSA interconnects, so this is an incomplete end-to-end evaluation.
The system was sounding much more impressive than before and since I had guests visiting, I didn't want to spend all of our time together in audioland. Since I already had some excellent power cables on the Spectrons (with prices over $1k each), I decided to allow my guests to just enjoy the rest of the weekend.
So, I didn't install the pair of VSA power cords until the following Monday. I was expecting another increment of improvement, if only from the suggested synergy of a full set of VSA cabling. Now, I know we've all read our share of audio hyperbole and purple prose about the component du jour, so I'll try to keep this as succinct as possible. I powered off the Spectrons, but left the source running at moderate volume, so music was playing when I powered up the amps. When I powered up the first Spectron with the VSA power cord in place, I was stunned by the transformation of the sound-- just standing between the speakers. After a minute of listening to the system, it was clear this was a wholly different quality than I've heard at home or at any dealer's setup.
The changes after the addition of the power cables are in three categories.
1) the timbre of instruments is much more accurate. The best description is that the timbres are more focused, what I'd call timbral coherence. The essence of woodwinds, strings, horns, vocals is much more intact whether in solo or in complex orchestral passages. It's not a subtle difference. You hear much more of the characteristic sound of each instrument. I especially notice this on woodwinds-- e.g. clarinets, oboes, etc., though it's evident with other instruments and voices.
2) Bass is more full and deep. I just saved the cost of adding subwoofers. The bass is also more integrated with the rest of the frequency range. The larger stringed instruments, especially the double bass have bowing transient detail now integrated with the weight of deep bass.
3) The image is much more spacious. The difference is like going from a very good movie theater to an IMAX. Yes, it is that much of a jump.
Remembering that I had inserted the power cords last, I tried removing the interconnect cables, leaving the other VSA cables in place. At first, it seemed like only a subtle change, but within a minute it was clear that micro dynamics were impacted and that much of that timbral coherence was compromised. So back in they went.
I want to avoid stressing or flexing the cables since that would affect the crystal structure over time. I purchased several short desktop microphone stands to clamp the cables in place. I use them on the power cables at the outlets and to clamp the speaker cables above the power amps so they approach the amps from the top instead of laying on top of the power cord at the IEC connection. I use a microphone stand with a boom to clamp the speaker cables at the mid/tweeter connection. One note, be sure to use a plastic clamp, not a metal one to avoid interacting with the signal.
A word on cost/benefit. If Spectron offered an upgrade to the amps at the price of the VSA power cords that elevated the amps' performance to a degree equal to what the VSA power cords provided, I'd have been very satisfied with the resulting improvements and counted the price as a bargain. For the record, I know Spectron offers their own power cords, but I haven't tried them. In my system and environment, the improvement also saved the investment in a pair of subwoofers.
I hadn't ordered a power cord for the REF-3, since my experience with trying other power cords didn't provide much improvement with it (others have reported the same result), so I was planning on keeping the very good one I had already installed. After hearing the impact of the power cables on the power amps, I've ordered another of the VSA power cords to try on the REF-3. If it doesn't prove worth the cost, I can always return it.
I haven't made a rigorous comparison of the VSA cables with a range of alternatives, so this isn't intended as a comprehensive review, but as a description of my experience with installing the VSA cables in my system. I've avoided referencing other manufacturer's products as much as possible, since I didn't approach this as a shoot-out. I'd like to hear others' experience with the VSA cables using their components.
Just FYI. I have no business relationship with VSA or any audio manufacturer, dealer, or for that matter any aerospace company."