Kimber Silver Streak & Neo d+ Review (XLR Cables)

[Buckeye Amps]

However, price does not make them snake oil, they have to make extraordinary claims to consider such.

Directly from one of their interconnect pages

Six 25AWG Black Pearl solid silver conductors drawn in diamond coated dies and insulated with virgin FEP dielectric under the most exacting tolerances which offer the purest transfers of the most demanding highest resolution signals. These interconnects produce silent backdrops for vivid tonal color and flawless creation of space, time and ultimately the soul of the performance.

Yea, definitely not snake oil

 

[PristineSound]

Directly from one of their interconnect pages


Yea, definitely not snake oil

But I have stated this:

From what I read and seen, Kimber is the least snakey of snake oil.

Would I buy Kimber? Not.

True, but I have yet to see them make any claims of magic. And Gene over at Audioholics did measure one of their speakers cables and it has the lowest inductance.

And now I have seen claims of magic.

 

[TRDK]

Quite happy with my build to order (roughly $100) solution

 

[Hayabusa]

This is a review and measurements of both XLR Kimber Kable Silver Streak and Neo d+ (by Oyaide).

View attachment 529246

I was inspired again by the recent review of Amir, and not only did I have this Kimber Silver Streak cable, which I acquired a long time ago being told it would make a difference, I also discovered that it is still produced by the company as part of their "Summit" line. So, that triggered this second (and probable last) cable review from me.


Presentation

The Kimber has a cost of roughly $1'000 (1m) and the Neo d+ reaches up to $50 in 1m length, per what I saw. So the cost ratio is a good 20 between the two cables.

The Kimber Silver Streak uses one silver strand and two copper (go figure). BUT mine has two silver strands, probably because it is an old version of it, or the balanced version?

The XLR connectors are said to be silver plated too. I like a lot the look, the lightness, the quality of the connectors and ease of use as the cable bends easily. This cable targets the audiophile community.
Some specs are provided by Kimber (XLR):

• (Cp) parallel capacitance: 37.1 pF/meter
• (Ls) series inductance: 1.07uH/meter
• (Rdc) dc loop resistance : 0.105 Ohm/meter

I've been using couple of these cables for quite a number of years and have always been satisfied.

The Neo d+ uses quality XLR connectors too (Gold plated bronze alloy), but despite their shorter length, they can sometimes be problematic because the flat cable itself is not as flexible as the one of the Kimber. But in the end, you need space behind the device for both of these cables.
The weight of the Neo can be a problem as they were pulling hard on the little Topping D50III that I used to test them, less so with the Kimber.

I like a lot the look of the Neo too and the ease of identification of their respective colors for left/right channels, even in the dark, which is on purpose as they target the DJ community. I currently use Neo d+ cables for my main system and I'm happy with them.
I could not find technical specs for the Neo d+.

As with my previous review, and since I don't have a super duper Audio Precision, I'm using a Topping D50III as the generator and a combo of Cosmos Scaler and E1AD ADCiso (Grade 0) as the ADC. So, first, let's have a look at the total performance of these in a loopback, using my standard TRS Cordial CMN2200 cable:

View attachment 529249

This is a whooping 123.6db SINAD (4VRMS output) which would put the Topping D50III right where it is in Amir's chart: at the top of it.

If you compare with the review of Amir, this is the same SINAD but I get a little more distortion (just above -140dBr), which could be from the Topping or from my ADC setup. Either ways, this is the limit of the Audio Precision in terms of Noise (at 4Vrms), so it is good to see I can replicate and get the same measurements. With that precision, if one of these cable makes a difference, we'll see it.

Note that because the Topping D50III has TRS outputs only, I had to use a adaptor TRS to XLR for both cables under test. And same on the ADC side, by the way.

So let's start with the Kimber:

View attachment 529251

Same, no change, no degradation. Only 0.1dB difference in SINAD (123.5dB) which could be due to the two adaptors I had to use.

Let's quickly go to the Neo d+:

View attachment 529252

Same measured performance, but the Neo shows a very little something at 50Hz (mains) and that does not impact the results beyond 0.1dB lost in SINAD (that we can reasonably ignore).

On request of the community, I'm showing what happens when I put the cable on top of the power supply of my PC (actually below it as it generates more disruption, nearly nothing when it is on top):

View attachment 529256

This is an overlay of the two cables. They show very low captured noise and are essentially the same. This is the worst case scenario as I had to ensure the cables were running on the full length of the PS and exactly in the middle of it, else there was barely anything to report. Even so, the SINAD remained more than 122dB in both cases.

I spare you measurements of bandwidth up to 200kHz or square, as Amir and I did before with other cables, there are absolutely identical.

I just add the jitter view (48kHz):

View attachment 529257

Same results again.


Conclusion

Again, nothing new, you already knew the results just by reading the title.

Does the look and ease of use of the Kimber justify paying 20 times more for the same measured performances? I let you decide.

But I'm happy to see that the Kimber delivers, as I had some doubts. I though maybe being lower in the line that it could be a reason for downgraded performances. But no, we're safe.

Enjoy your weekend!

Flo

With cables like this I rather would compare shielding and common mode rejection than this information which we know only measures all things but the cable.

 

[wwenze]

Is neither cable shielded twisted pair i.e. the type that XLR is supposed to use? Like L-4E6S above is always good in general (shielded quad but yea wtev)

 

[jareinertson]

This is a review and measurements of both XLR Kimber Kable Silver Streak and Neo d+ (by Oyaide).

View attachment 529246

I was inspired again by the recent review of Amir, and not only did I have this Kimber Silver Streak cable, which I acquired a long time ago being told it would make a difference, I also discovered that it is still produced by the company as part of their "Summit" line. So, that triggered this second (and probable last) cable review from me.


Presentation

The Kimber has a cost of roughly $1'000 (1m) and the Neo d+ reaches up to $50 in 1m length, per what I saw. So the cost ratio is a good 20 between the two cables.

The Kimber Silver Streak uses one silver strand and two copper (go figure). BUT mine has two silver strands, probably because it is an old version of it, or the balanced version?

The XLR connectors are said to be silver plated too. I like a lot the look, the lightness, the quality of the connectors and ease of use as the cable bends easily. This cable targets the audiophile community.
Some specs are provided by Kimber (XLR):

• (Cp) parallel capacitance: 37.1 pF/meter
• (Ls) series inductance: 1.07uH/meter
• (Rdc) dc loop resistance : 0.105 Ohm/meter

I've been using couple of these cables for quite a number of years and have always been satisfied.

The Neo d+ uses quality XLR connectors too (Gold plated bronze alloy), but despite their shorter length, they can sometimes be problematic because the flat cable itself is not as flexible as the one of the Kimber. But in the end, you need space behind the device for both of these cables.
The weight of the Neo can be a problem as they were pulling hard on the little Topping D50III that I used to test them, less so with the Kimber.

I like a lot the look of the Neo too and the ease of identification of their respective colors for left/right channels, even in the dark, which is on purpose as they target the DJ community. I currently use Neo d+ cables for my main system and I'm happy with them.
I could not find technical specs for the Neo d+.

As with my previous review, and since I don't have a super duper Audio Precision, I'm using a Topping D50III as the generator and a combo of Cosmos Scaler and E1AD ADCiso (Grade 0) as the ADC. So, first, let's have a look at the total performance of these in a loopback, using my standard TRS Cordial CMN2200 cable:

View attachment 529249

This is a whooping 123.6db SINAD (4VRMS output) which would put the Topping D50III right where it is in Amir's chart: at the top of it.

If you compare with the review of Amir, this is the same SINAD but I get a little more distortion (just above -140dBr), which could be from the Topping or from my ADC setup. Either ways, this is the limit of the Audio Precision in terms of Noise (at 4Vrms), so it is good to see I can replicate and get the same measurements. With that precision, if one of these cable makes a difference, we'll see it.

Note that because the Topping D50III has TRS outputs only, I had to use a adaptor TRS to XLR for both cables under test. And same on the ADC side, by the way.

So let's start with the Kimber:

View attachment 529251

Same, no change, no degradation. Only 0.1dB difference in SINAD (123.5dB) which could be due to the two adaptors I had to use.

Let's quickly go to the Neo d+:

View attachment 529252

Same measured performance, but the Neo shows a very little something at 50Hz (mains) and that does not impact the results beyond 0.1dB lost in SINAD (that we can reasonably ignore).

On request of the community, I'm showing what happens when I put the cable on top of the power supply of my PC (actually below it as it generates more disruption, nearly nothing when it is on top):

View attachment 529256

This is an overlay of the two cables. They show very low captured noise and are essentially the same. This is the worst case scenario as I had to ensure the cables were running on the full length of the PS and exactly in the middle of it, else there was barely anything to report. Even so, the SINAD remained more than 122dB in both cases.

I spare you measurements of bandwidth up to 200kHz or square, as Amir and I did before with other cables, there are absolutely identical.

I just add the jitter view (48kHz):

View attachment 529257

Same results again.


Conclusion

Again, nothing new, you already knew the results just by reading the title.

Does the look and ease of use of the Kimber justify paying 20 times more for the same measured performances? I let you decide.

But I'm happy to see that the Kimber delivers, as I had some doubts. I though maybe being lower in the line that it could be a reason for downgraded performances. But no, we're safe.

Enjoy your weekend!

Flo

Thanks for the review.

 

[daniboun]

The avaricious shyster selling is taking advantage of the wealthy idiot buying

Curiosity is within everyone's reach... we have countless resources to avoid scams and reduce our ignorance.

 

[milosz]

If any manufacturer has to mention that the wire they use is "drawn through a diamond die..." then they are grasping at straws. ALL wire is drawn through diamond dies. Including the 81¢-per-foot 12 ga stranded copper wire sold at Home Depot.

 

[Scytales]

[...] The Kimber Silver Streak uses one silver strand and two copper (go figure). BUT mine has two silver strands, probably because it is an old version of it, or the balanced version?

The XLR connectors are said to be silver plated too. I like a lot the look, the lightness, the quality of the connectors [...].

The Kimber cable is built with Switchcraft A series XLR connectors, whose contact pins are indeed silver plated as standard (gold plating optional).

The mechanical mating of the shell of this type of plug with the corresponding Switchcraft D series XLR receptacles is incredibly good, better than anything else I have tried from Neutrik or any mixed brand shell/socket combination.

Unfortunately, the use of the standard silver plated connectors means that Kimber did not chose to use the highest pro-graded (QGP) A series plugs with gold over nickel plated phosphor bronze pins.

 

[beagleman]

It's the diminished bank account that makes it sound better

The looks reinforce the illusion, but are secondary to the cable's function.

And the truly delusional will buy extralong cables laid out on cable risers in front of the speakers for that extra kick of gratification.

I have found (being totally serious) after I got my car washed, it "Felt" like it drove better, or at the least I had this feeling it, made me happier or just felt better about it.

There is a lot to visual, and spending and things that you perceive as "Better" or nicer.

 

[NTTY]

The Kimber cable is built with Switchcraft A series XLR connectors, whose contact pins are indeed silver plated as standard (gold plating optional).

The mechanical mating of the shell of this type of plug with the corresponding Switchcraft D series XLR receptacles is incredibly good, better than anything else I have tried from Neutrik or any mixed brand shell/socket combination.

Unfortunately, the use of the standard silver plated connectors means that Kimber did not chose to use the highest pro-graded (QGP) A series plugs with gold over nickel plated phosphor bronze pins.

Thank you for the complementary information. It should have been part of my review!

 

[webmst007]

George and Alice also tested the speaker cables and concurred with NTYY's findings:
They're so exhausted from all this testing and reporting they've had to retire early....

 

[NTTY]

Review : Behind the scene...

When I prepared this review, I went to my drawer and pulled out several cables, and basically thought that all of them would measure the same.
But one had a massive issue.

I have no clue from where I got this cable, probably with a device that I bought here in Switzerland. On the cable itself, it is written "Neutrik SwissFlex NK 2". The two connectors are from Neutrik too:

And when I measured it, this is what I got:

Besides the massive distortion, there is a near 6dB attenuation compared to my other measurements, indicating that one of the conductors is (short)cut somewhere. I suspected bad soldering but I could not find an issue there. So I guess the cable itself is damaged even though I can't find any marks on it. If you have an explanation, let me know!

 

[webmst007]

NTTY
Does the fault show up on a standard audio cable tester when plugged in to test continuity?

 

[NTTY]

Good point, I’ll have to test that but it’s apéro time for me, so that will be for much later

 

[Scytales]

Review : Behind the scene...

When I prepared this review, I went to my drawer and pulled out several cables, and basically thought that all of them would measure the same.
But one had a massive issue.

I have no clue from where I got this cable, probably with a device that I bought here in Switzerland. On the cable itself, it is written "Neutrik SwissFlex NK 2". The two connectors are from Neutrik too:

View attachment 529447

And when I measured it, this is what I got:

View attachment 529448

Besides the massive distortion, there is a near 6dB attenuation compared to my other measurements, indicating that one of the conductors is (short)cut somewhere. I suspected bad soldering but I could not find an issue there. So I guess the cable itself is damaged even though I can't find any marks on it. If you have an explanation, let me know!

How is the wiring made on this cable ? Standard shield on pin 1 (at both ends), hot on pin 2 and cold on pin 3 or is the wiring non standard, such as shield on shell (pin 4) or shield on pin 1 at one end only or other non standard wiring scheme ?

 

[peniku8]

I'm just here to say that these are the cheapest and worst looking XLR cables I've seen in my entire life. Hand me these on stage and I'll send you back to get me some proper shielded cables with Neutrik connectors.

 

[NTTY]

How is the wiring made on this cable ? Standard shield on pin 1 (at both ends), hot on pin 2 and cold on pin 3

Yep, that’s what it is.

 

[Wunderphones]

I'll admit: I like nice cables, even though I know they do nothing for the sound. They make the whole setup look and feel luxurious.

But you can find some pretty nice cables, with fancy wraps and fancy wire inside, for a LOT less than Kimber and the other, even more boutiquey, brands.

 

[NTTY]

I’m weak and would probably buy a Kimber cable designed by Yayoi Kusama, and I’d review it