Siltech vs. Crystal

[AudioExplorations]

Does anyone have any good experience in the sound of Siltech vs a comparably priced Crystal cable? They are produced from the same factory in NL... are they using the exact same metallurgies for the conductors? G6/G7 silver-gold, G8 mono grain crystal, etc?

In the word of cables Siltech is said to be neutral, highly resolving yet smooth and musical at the same time. Crystal is said to be brighter and more towards the Nordost sound (accentuated treble?).

Has anyone done any in depth comparisons of both cable lines and can compare them in greater detail?

 

[flez007]

I own both, and have been a Siltech fan for years. I recently bought a pair of Dreamlines IC from Crystal, compared to my FTM4Gold I would say they are quite different sonically speaking, the Siltech delivers a rounded, deep and fleshed-out presentation, while the Crystal is neutral, transparent and better resolving at the extremes of the spectrum.

My two pesos!

 

[howiebrou]

I own both, and have been a Siltech fan for years. I recently bought a pair of Dreamlines IC from Crystal, compared to my FTM4Gold I would say they are quite different sonically speaking, the Siltech delivers a rounded, deep and fleshed-out presentation, while the Crystal is neutral, transparent and better resolving at the extremes of the spectrum.

My two pesos!

I would agree 100% with the above description. Crystal is a slightly more neutral and quicker sounding cable. Siltech is a little more full in presentation but the new generations are not as 'thick' sounding as the older ones (G5). I just moved from Crystal Ultra to Wireworld Platinum.

howie

 

[ozy]

I would agree 100% with the above description. Crystal is a slightly more neutral and quicker sounding cable. Siltech is a little more full in presentation but the new generations are not as 'thick' sounding as the older ones (G5). I just moved from Crystal Ultra to Wireworld Platinum.

howie

+1 on the crystal description, but my expereince with them was rather limited to early models that reminded me of Nordost/ early kimber. a bit bright. The new Siltechs have more meat on the bone, silky smooth,and get out of the way. yes, the G5 and prior were a bit thicker sounding, but at the expense of some resolution and speed.

 

[Orb]

I would say as a Crystal Cable Standard Diamond owner they are definitely not bright.
For me they are one of the best cables when listening specifically to the behaviour of snare drum/hi-hat/cymbals, especially on average recordings.
Other cables I have found with average recordings are more diffuse/smeared with those, suggesting to me that the Crystal Cable as others have mentioned is incredibly quick and copes with fast high energy transients better than comparable cost cables.
Against that though is that I find it removes something from the timbre-presentation what I personally perceive from other instruments and in the mid-frequencies, we are talking very subtle and maybe a better wording would be to say ever so slightly "bleached", but it does a heck of a lot right.

So worth trying in the system before buying, but definitely well worth recommending to audition as they are up there with the best by offering something those may be missing in comparison.
Cheers
Orb

 

[Tubedoctor]

I have tested both- top range siltechs and top range Crystal with silver gold structure - and can say that the Crystal is sharper but not bright sounding, the Siltechs are a little more forgiving. The all silver structure cables from siltech were superior to both Siltech and Crystal silver gold ones.

 

[sonrock]

I am currently using 2 pairs of dreamline ic cables (1 rca and 1 xlr) and 1 pair of speaker cables in my system, for me they never sound bright, actually they are sweet sounding cables. I listened to the old Siltech gold cables - both ic and spk cables - but in 2 different systems, one blows me away while totally not impressed by the other.

I have used and listend to so many cables including NBS Black Label 1 XLR, Nordorst Valhalla XLR, SR Tesla Apex (XLR and spk cables), Virtual Dynamic, Teo...and see the Crystal dreamline has its own character and very easy to differentiate from the others. They are probably the second best cables besides NBS Black label 1. They let the music flow more freely and better than other cables, the bass is fast and not boomby while still punch and tight.

 

[microstrip]

I am currently using 2 pairs of dreamline ic cables (1 rca and 1 xlr) and 1 pair of speaker cables in my system, for me they never sound bright, actually they are sweet sounding cables. I listened to the old Siltech gold cables - both ic and spk cables - but in 2 different systems, one blows me away while totally not impressed by the other.

I have used and listend to so many cables including NBS Black Label 1 XLR, Nordorst Valhalla XLR, SR Tesla Apex (XLR and spk cables), Virtual Dynamic, Teo...and see the Crystal dreamline has its own character and very easy to differentiate from the others. They are probably the second best cables besides NBS Black label 1. They let the music flow more freely and better than other cables, the bass is fast and not boomby while still punch and tight.

I am currently using Crystal Dreamline (XLR and speaker) in my system and fully agree with your description of their sound quality, The only thing I find missing in their attributes is the energy and articulation in the bass of the Vallhalla cables. The bass is fast and tight as you refer, but not explosive in the crescendos.

 

[sonrock]

valhalla bass is great I agree. but according to my ears, the best cables for bass is NBS Black XLR. nothing comes close. If I didnt fall in love with the look of the dreamline, so I'd never sell the NBS Black.

a dealer friend came back from munich told me, zensati room this year sounded terrible despite their flagship seraphim cables which cost you $$$$$. have anyone heard them and with price please?

 

[rnsa2000]

Hi guys,

Has anyone done a comparison of the Siltech Prince and Siltech 770L?