Product Reviews

Foremost on our list is to acquire components that meet our expectations in the areas we consider important. This is the EVO's formula for success. While some music servers may surpass it in resolution, low-level dynamics, timbral shadings, and some other areas of refinement, the EVO is sufficiently good at these to render them non-issues. It scores no less than an "A" grade, with special mention for outstanding tone, soundstaging, and macro dynamics. This superior report card ensures the listener does not get distracted by the medium.

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I've been aware of aftermarket audiophile fuses for the longest time, but never got around to trying them. It's not that I doubted their effectiveness, or was hesitant to try new things. I've always been an avid tweaker, as long as the product comes from a reputable source.

Well, this was a shocker. How does an inch of conductor filament have so much impact? For the kind of advance I heard, I can only assume proprietary processes cryogenics, quantum treatments and, uniquely, the natural diamond embedded in the ceramic housing are optimizing and amplifying the effects.

Installing HiFi-Tuning Supreme 3 Diamond Fuses in one component will give you a taste of what's in store, you'll know where it's going. Doing the entire system is transformative. A major upgrade comparable to installing expensive after-market component footers.

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Escape from Audiophile Sound

it is evident the Phantoms refuse to exaggerate. They don't employ excessive edge contrast to create sharp image outlines; they don't overwhelm you with a wall of detail to make you think, "Man, that's a lot of information to take in." The details are there should you choose to get them, not forcibly thrust at you. The difference is in the unforced, natural presentation. They do not call attention to any aspect of the performance, always making sure the emotional connection to the music comes first.

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It strikes me that what I've written isn't the same old copy you read in reviews all the time. That's because the XACT S1 music server tends to break the rules. As Marcin Ostapowicz, the designer and proprietor of XACT, explains:

XACT S1 delivers on my vision of audiophile sound: natural, organic, with analog sophistication and lifelike imaging. It's hard to believe it's digital. He succeeds more than you'd expect.

XACT is a new marque focusing on music servers from a talented designer with a unique vision. In the near term, be on the lookout for a range of products and accessories, including reference level wires, a master clock, and an ethernet switch. This designer has something different to say and it is worth paying attention.

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The next-level in high-performance cable system may yet to be created, but until that day comes, the Stage III Concepts A.S.P. Ckahron Ultimate Statement XLR is the highest performing XLR I’ve experienced.

Many super high-end audiophiles splurge on megabuck systems while the cable system is almost consistently the malnourished. With powerful designs from companies like Stage III Concepts, cable systems are now redefining the status of the mighty.

- Constantine Soo

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The Ckahron Interconnect is transformative with nothing subtle about it. A single length will create the perception of an enlarged, room-filling soundstage. The sound is hefty and athletic. Images have so much body mass and solidity I was left musing, "What incredible grip!" The Ckahron makes other interconnects in my inventory sound weak.

It's fair to say nothing I heard, no area of performance, is less than world-class. The beastly grip is delivered in a wrapper of lush, saturated tone and variegated timbral colors that satisfies the competing demands of resolution and musicality in spectacular fashion.

The Ckahron Interconnect pulls up right alongside the Poseidon Power Cord. You are not likely to hear a take on sound like this elsewhere. I know I have not—and these wires won't be going back to the distributor.

- Marshall Nack

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What a difference the Poseidon makes! It has wondrous timbral beauty; at the same time, it delivers thunderous low-end. To put a number on it, I'd say the Poseidon singlehandedly garnered an 8-10% improvement in my system.

In a rig conservatively valued at more than a half million USD, an 8% upgrade would translate to at least $40,000.

What a monster this guy is! But he's the best yet from Stage III or any brand I've heard, bar none.

- Marshall Nack

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Within the last year, I have auditioned three of the top Stage III power cords: the Kraken, the Proteus and the Poseidon.

All I can really say about the Poseidon is that I’ve never heard as much of this record as I’ve heard tonight. Full bodied mids, deep bass, complete treble, with an extraordinary soundstage. I was in the music.

after being exposed to the effects of the Poseidon, it will be difficult to go back to the Kraken. In fact, after agonizing about spending the money, I decided to purchase the review sample and will leave it on the HB Marble Power Slave powering the front-end of my system.

- Fred Crowder

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The inspiration for the PROTEUS design came from our very popular KRAKEN power cable.

One of the things that I find to be so special with the Proteus is how each note seems to have energy, as if each has its own dedicated energy source giving it life. The Proteus also delves deeply into the source material, whether analog or digital, unearthing a treasure trove of musically-relevant information while at the same time retaining the proper pitch and tone.

 The Proteus does a superb job of producing not only a stable, right-sized, three dimensional image, but also the space in which the image was recorded and the location of each instrument in that space.

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The Stage III Kraken is the one that brings me closest to meeting the heady challenge for both beauty and realism. The Kraken pushes hardest those buttons the classical music lover cares about most. They are the ones that will take up long-term service on my amps.

- Marshall Nack

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