Review Date
April 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Jules Coleman, AudioPhile, from Hamden, CT

Price Paid: $0 at PKM audio

Summary:
This is a review of all of the Crystal Clear cables: the interconnects as well as the reference speaker cable. These are all solid core silver cables hand tuned and hand constructed by the designer. No machine made product here. Pride of craftsmanship matched only by extraordinary build quality and sonics. This is a very detailed and harmonically rich, and warm sounding cable that works beautifully with both tube and solid state equipment. The sound is inspiring and emotionally involving. Both the speaker cables and interconnects share the same sonic signature and work well together. The sound is neutral and open, but extremely warm and well focused. This is one of the easiest silver cables to listen to I am aware of. It is the equal of cables that are far more expensive and is right at home in even the most highly resolving reference systems. IMHO it is the equal of audio note silver cables and exceeds the offerings from Acoustic Zen, Synergistic, Goertz and Zu -- all of which I have listened to extensively in the past two years.
This is an excellent value in every respect.

Strengths:
Neutrality, harmonic richness, warmth and coherence. also very well made and great customer service.

Weaknesses:
none at the price

Similar Products Used:
Acoustic Zen, Analysis Plus, Zu Warmouth,

Review Date
May 30, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Reviewed by: teapot97, AudioPhile

Price Paid: $0

Product Model Year:
2004

Summary:
The reference series are undoubtly top-flight interconnect. The reference soundstage, transients and images are larger than any other cables I tried. Tonal balance was completely consistent with the rest of their performance : powerful, bass, clear, soundstage. Physically handcrafted to perform the best interconnect to suit your need. No frills on advertisement unlike other cables.

Strengths:
Transients, soundtage, built for tough, images well to equipment.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
August 7, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Reviewed by: excelit, Audio Enthusiast

Price Paid: $0 at PKM Audio

Product Model Year:
2004

Summary:
I've auditioned several silver cables at home and my impression was that silver projects a subtle overiding sense of brightness and leaness.
I chanced upon Mel Llave at PKM Audio when I was looking for a component rack.
Mel invited me to try his silver cable and since it had a 30 day guarantee, I took his offer.
The first thing that struck me about the cable without me actually listening for it is its dynamics, speed and transcient attack. On Radka Tonef's "My Funny Valentine" the transcient attack on the notes of the piano reminds me that the piano IS a percussion intrument. On Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams", Mick Fleetwood drum beat seems to be a microsecond ahead of how I previusly remember it to be. The result is that I follow the beat rather than anticipate it. Not only did my toes tap, but my foot stomped and my head rocked. It just reminds me of why I'm in this hobby in the first place.
Female vocals was more transparent without any leaness and without subtracting organic body. The combination of dynamics, speed and transparency made me "feel" more of Joni Mitchell's youth and enthusiasm during her earlier recordings.
Musical detail was not high on my priority list. But the cable's combination of dynamics, speed, detail and transparency reveal small nuance of a singers inflection, pronounication and just as important, timing as she scales her voice's dynamic range. This results in a more emotional projection of the performance and a more moving musical experience.
The cable's details also projects previously side lined auxiliary instruments to prominence making the music more whole or complete as the music arranger intended.
Imaging was outstanding. On Pat Metheny's "Going Ahead", I previously thougt there were only two guitars overdubbed. But now I percieved a third guitar between the two.
Most music I like are music from my youth recoded commercially and not audiophile approved. I was worried that the cable's transparency would render my
collection intolerable to listen to. However, the cable made my CD collection more listenable, they're just clearer not brighter. The speed and pace of the cable made rock music, Rock, as explained before on the Fleetwood Mac CD.
The cables convinced me that silver need not be bright and lean. The cables are detailed yet smooth.
The Crystal Clear Audio literally transformed my system. It made my ststem more engaging and involving.
The best compliment I can render is that I'm now on a software binge.

Strengths:
Involving and engaging

Weaknesses:
You will be on a software binge.

Review Date
July 6, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Reviewed by: Jaeber, Audio Enthusiast

Price Paid: $160 at Crystal Clear .com

Product Model Year:
2003

Summary:
I really wanted the detail and elegance that everybody said silver brings to an audio system, but had some "hard on the ears" experiences with cables. Heard about Crystal Clear Reference, read the reviews here and knowing they were affordable and had a 30-day return option, decided to give them a listen. Key positives for these cables are warmth and full midrange, while being detailed and dynamic. VERY untypical of what one would expect from silver in this price range. Much air around the instruments and open sound.

Mel, of Crystal Clear Audio, is an extremely helpful and pleasant person to deal with, and his cables are truly tuneful and exciting to listen to. They have "finished" my audio system. Classical music now plays with splendor and music with a beat is very alive. A true happy ending to a long search. The fact that these cables are so well-built and will last forever is a plus as well. Thanks, Mel.

Strengths:
Detail and dynamics, while maintaining richness. Presence. Open sound and air. Affordable price. Great Construction.

Weaknesses:
Silver requires a good 200 hours of burn-in to sound best. Be patient--it's well worth the wait!!

Similar Products Used:
Acoustic Zen Wow!
Mapleshade Ultra-Thin Double Helix ribbon
Audioquest Emerald
RS Cables Silver
Goertz Micropurl Silver
No-name silver
DH Labs BL-1 v2

Review Date
December 20, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Reviewed by: gary, AudioPhile

Price Paid: $0 at from Mel

Product Model Year:
2003

Summary:
I started out with Mel's Reference XLR interconnect. Right out of the box I was very impressed with the overall presentation of this cable. After it was done breaking in (about 250 hrs), I was blown away. In my system this cable had a very natural, smooth, warm, grain free and musical sound to it. This is not to say it did not possess great detail and dynamics, it did. I had been auditioning some Cardas Golden Reference along with my current XLO Signature's. Of these three interconnects the Crystal Clear Audio was the clear winner. It had a fuller, warmer midrange that the XLO and greater detail than the Cardas, it also resolved more musical imformation than both of them. I have not heard every cable out there, nor do I have the time to do so. But I can tell you this, I don't care because this interconnect has preformed way beyond my expectations and it's damn affordable. I also ended up buying two runs of Mel's Reference speaker cable. Although they took longer to break-in,(about 500 hrs) they are the same giant kilers as the interconnect. With both the interconnect and speaker cable, my system has taken a giant leap forward. Highly recommended!

Strengths:
Extremely musical and highly resolving. Has a natural warmth and fullness in the midrange that serves the music well.

Weaknesses:
none at this price or for that matter 3 times it's price.

Similar Products Used:
XLO Signature, Cardas Golden Reference

Review Date
October 13, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Reviewed by: Terrypatterson, AudioPhile, from Washington DC

Price Paid: $650 at from Mel

Product Model Year:
2003

Summary:
12' SOLID SILVER TRI-WIRED SPEAKER CABLES.
I have used Mel's products before and had ourstanding results, interconnects, power cables and now speaker cables. My second system is in my garage/workshop and consists of a pair of Spendor SP100's powered by rebuild Counterpoint electronics (hybrid tube/solid state). The problem was that there was far too much bass and the frequency balance was not at all good for chamber music and small acoustic ensembles. The SP100's have triwire capability so I had Mel make a set of cables in silver with triwire spades on one end and single spades to the amplifier end. The cables are BEAUTIFULLY BUILT!! His new casing material is great to look at and very durable. The silver spades are bulletproof! In my experience, although 'breakin' is important for the last bit of 'relaxation' in the sound, one can usually hear the bulk of the benefit/mistake pretty much right away. That was how it happened here. The bass was firm, tight and completely coherent with the rest of the sound. Acoustic instrumental timbre was gloriously detailed and 'airy' but with good weight and presence. There seemed to be better "time alignment" to the whole sound although this may have had more to do with the "triwireing". I suspect that Spendor knows this and that is why the tweeter is available for seperate wiring.
The acoustic envirment is far from ideal as all the room surfaces are hard and reflective, this won't change as it's my workshop and I need it as it is. Also the speaker cables are longer than usual to allow repositioning as building projects come and go. Nonetheless, the difference that the speaker cables made was nothing short of astounding and I am very happy with the musicality of the whole system now. The winter's "projects" will be even more fun this year.

Strengths:
Truely EXCELLENT performance
Gorgeous build quality
AMAZING PRICE & value!!

Weaknesses:
none that I've so far found

Similar Products Used:
Audioquest/AudioTruth silver

Review Date
August 20, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Lars Poinant, AudioPhile, from Smith Mt. Lake , VA.

Price Paid: $390 at 390

Product Model Year:
2003

Summary:
I have had the oppotunity to enjoy a very wide range of audio equipment and a boat load of interconnects, power cords, and speaker wire. All from a wide variety of price ranges.
I have found that in some direct comparisons between, Acoustic Zen Silver Reference, Cardas Golden Reference, Nordost Quattro fil, and several others. That Mel has got a smashing success with his Reference Interconnect. Some of the other cables have there own sonic signature and do a very good job in a multitude of areas. But, Mels cables were right on there heels!
Except for price. That is where Crystal Clear made a mad dash for the finish line. With there performance to price ratio, I can not with all honesty say that all of the other cables I compaired were better than the Reference Series. Because they were in some areas but not in others.
The cables I recieved from Mel sounded very neutral and smooth from the very start and only got better after about 25 hours of break in time. They opened up even further and widened the sound stage . It made it seem like I was at concert with all of the feeling a expression that one would feel at such an event.
I could not even begin to express my warmest appreciation for these cables. I could start by giving you a list of my reference systems, but it would be too much, I have 4 rooms that I have a very diverse set up. From tubes to solid state the Reference Interconnects were a performer in all of them.
I would suggest that if anyone wants to set up a system and not take out a second mortgage for there interconnect purchase, try them. You will be in awe at the performance and at the low price tag. And finally I would like to thank Mel himself for being a very warm and likable guy. I hope to do more business with him very soon.

Strengths:
Very affordable high end cables!

Weaknesses:
With the price to performance comparison, they have none.

Similar Products Used:
Nordost Quattro-Fil, Acoustic Zen Silver, Annalysis Plus Silver, Cardas, MIT, Harmonic Tech, Audience, XLO