The long debated argument about cables has been batted around for an eternity, do they make any difference and does price reflect performance? All questions we are asked on a daily basis. We at AA believe that cables can make an improvement on your system when quality is used. Merely the mention of the words “quality” and “cables” in the same sentence causes one to think of a particular brand synonymous with this: The Chord Company.
Formed in 1985 Chord have been doing things right for nearly years, the philosophy is simple “good quality components builds the best cables” All Chords cables are painstaking developed (regardless of level) to the highest standards. Their cable Doctor Nigel Finn personally test and develops all cables via his tuned ear, using some of the best equipment available anywhere, KEF Reference for example! Chord are different to many other cable manufactures their components are not made in-house, they are sourced from the finest suppliers available. This give great benefits: quality of components is guaranteed and access to industry leading individuals is gained – for example: Chord use an Aerospace cable manufacture for some components parts. This consistent quality and out the box thinking has lead Chord to be one of the finest cable manufactures in the world – shortly we will take a look at some of their popular models and what makes them a class leader. There are multiple cables in the Chord range but I will pick the standout products from our listening tests and allocate them into three categories, we mainly focus on analogue cables but will make mention of the fantastic digital/auxiliary cables Chord offer!
I will start from the beginning of the range right up the top, selecting the most popular models!
Speaker Cables, Entry Level
Sarsen
Taking of where Silver Screen finished (still a fantastic cable) Sarsen offers the same idea but with greatly improved detail and razor sharp dynamics. Featuring 2 x 18 AWG multi-stranded oxygen free copper with Fluorinated ethylene propylene insulation quality of sound is a guarantee, internally the cables are twisted this improves RF rejection. Another key feature is the size, the cable is quite lean, this does not mean bad quality in anyway: it is easily installed or hidden under carpets – something not as easily undertaken with its predecessor Silver Screen
Interconnect, Entry Level
Crimson RCA
The Chord Crimson, a long time favourite. Offering excellent pricing versus performance. It is key here to mention that Chord do not use the ground as a ground in the traditional way RCA interconnects would usually. One conductor sends signal the other returns it – this offers great improvements, this new incarnation of the Crimson comes with Chord’s low mass plug which in our own testing has shown great improvement over pervious models!
Speaker Cable, Intermediate level
Odyssey 2
The Odyssey 2 really is a step up in performance, featuring 2 x 12 AWG 19 strand silver-plated oxygen free copper again in twisted configuration – the key here is the combination of extruded silver over copper and Polytetrafluoroethylene conductor insulation – some cables with high quality silver over copper conductors can sound overally bright and harsh, a combination of PFTE (seen also in their super high end cables!) allows the cable to sound sweet, detailed and super dynamic – a winner for sure!
Interconnect, Intermediate Level
Cadenza Reference
A great match for the Odyssey cable, featuring again Silver plated copper conductors: keeping the continuity. The same as the crimson cable this is also Pseudo-balanced, with twisted insulated conductors. It is key to remember that this cable is over engineered; every component part has a reason for being there nothing is left to chance, and this means fantastic results. With have personally used this cable with many systems, the results are clear: it is precise, natural and above all a absolute pleasure to listen to!
High End
As this is where Chord really shines, we will expand this section a little further. All the effort they put into making their cables and their undeniable strive for ultimate sound quality has allowed them produce a large number award winning reference cables, lets take a look at some popular models!
Interconnect, High End
Anthem
As Chord put it: “Detail, definition, dynamics, timbre, plus outstanding coherence.” This cable features Chord’s Array technology, the Chorus is the first in the range to feature this but we love what the Anthem does so much we had to include it here, high quality silver plated conductor and PFTE insulation mean this cable shines through beautifully!
Speaker Cable, High End
Epic Reference
A new Epic! Old Epic was fantastic; they really are treating us over at Chord. This cable was designed after their ultimate reference Sarum so you no what that means – technology starts to filter down! Chord say: “That’s got more than a hint of Sarum characteristic to it. It seems to disappear, you can use this with almost any system and it doesn’t get in the way of some serious high end equipment.” It can be seen as being similar to other cables in the same range, Chord themselves would agree with this statement: the more you go up the range the more of that Chord Sound you get with the added bonus of improved dynamics and clarity!
Interconnect, Super High End
Shooting up to the super high-end level we have the Indigo, now available in the “Tuned Array” specification. We recommend only using this cable if you equipment is of an equally super high end level, this is what we like about Chord – it makes high quality cables for all levels, you just choose which one you need and get the Chord sound, although “the Chord sound” is probably the correct termination to use as all there cables are beautifully natural and the key with this is the impression of no cables at all: Chord do this impeccably!
Speaker Cable, Super High End
The Ultimate reference for us here at AA – used throughout our demo room with the majority of kit we have, this cable quite simply does what it should, sits there, sounds great and never gives the impression it is either adding or deleting anything from the original signal. You loose yourself with this cable integrating seamlessly into a performance!
Which cable do you require?
There is a cable for everyone in the Chord range, it is important to mention that they do not only do analogue cables they also offer a wide range of digital cables and auxiliary cables.
From USB to HDMI Chord offer some super high quality options, the best available today – for example Chord have just announced a Sarum USB – super high end digital audio designed to be the absolute best – looking forward to hearing this!
Return of a champion
One extremely popular cable from Chord was the iChord Mini Jack To RCA, for a while this cable has been unavailable – we are pleased to announce the return:
Chord move with the times, yes they have the super high end cables and traditional cables but new technology means the opportunity for new cables: if you are like me however you require the best from all your cables – even if you are plugging you phone into your Hi-Fi why not get the best possible connection!
Conclusion
Cables cause much debate but quality is the final word, this applies whichever way you look at it. Chord makes some of the finest out there and it is a pleasure have the chance to listen to them and offer them to our customers. Wherever you need to be in the range there is a cable, even the entry level is above what one would traditionally call “entry level” They offer an extensive range of Audio/Visual cables at fantastic prices and a performance point that keeps them consistently winning acclaim, custom options are also available if you need something drop one of our team a call! Don’t forget to enter the competition and as always happy listening!