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Performance

As noted earlier, I was already a believer in lifting cables off the floor. What I didn't know was whether the Cable Elevators would make any improvement over the Home Depot lifters I was already using. In fact, I was a bit skeptical believing that I've addressed the issue as best as possible. Wow, was I wrong! If I could describe it on a scale of 1 to 10, then the homemade cardboard lifters (or, for that matter, any homemade cable lifters as compared to no lifters at all) would score about a 4, the Home Depot cable isolators maybe a 5, but I would easily give the Cable Elevators a 10.

On first hearing the difference I was really surprised: the Cable Elevators brought about a clearly noticeable improvement over my homemade versions. Track after track, it was a delight to confirm that my system was sounding better. I noted hearing greater levels of dynamics, quicker transients and better attack, a darker background and increased musical articulation allowing for a more expressive performance. Also: greater control at frequency extremes enabling music to project more convincingly, all translating into a more believable and musical experience. Switching to cables on the floor, carpet to be more precise, was followed by a loss of musical involvement. The sound became emotionally flatter and slower, there was less of that "get up and go" and the corresponding musical energy I so preferred. I quickly went back to the Cable Elevators and continued to listen, long into the night.

I cannot claim to understand fully how cable elevators work, from a scientific point of view, but I can claim that they do work. Some tweaks in my system are quite subtle in their effect; the Cable Elevators on the other hand are among the select few that clearly demonstrate sonic improvement.

Conclusion

The Cable Elevators are a delightful sonic surprise, hardly because lifting cables off the floor is new to me. I have been doing just that for a number of years with homemade versions and with good results. What surprised me the most, however, was how much better Cable Elevators are from what I have been using so far. They are very well built, easy to use and sonically represent an unmistakable Best Buy.

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Side Bar

Cable Etiquette - Getting the most out of your cables

It's widely accepted that audio and power cables make an audible difference. Interconnect, loudspeaker, and power cables can all have a profound effect on the overall system performance and sound. Most audiophiles acknowledge this by investing proportionally towards good quality cabling. However only a few of those audiophiles go the extra distance and appreciate cable etiquette, or good cable practices that can reward the listener with further improvements in sound quality. Adhering to good cable practices is anywhere from inexpensive to free, and can even save you money. Here are some basic rules:

Keep your cable lengths as short as possible.
This applies to both interconnect and loudspeaker cables. Unless you are trying to tweak your system's sound with a specific cable and its sonic signature, the shorter the signal has to travel through a cable the better. By keeping your cables only as long as necessary you minimize signal coloration and maximize power transfer.
Keep your cables away from each other as much as possible.
You should avoid cable lengths that intertwine or run tightly parallel to each other. If they have to cross or touch then arrange them in such a way that they do so at a 90-degree angle. Keeping them apart or at least at a 90-degree angle can eliminate or minimize the effect of cross cable signal induction.
Keep your cables away from large objects, off the floor and especially off the carpet.
What this review is all about. Also, avoid running your interconnect cables on top of audio rack shelves or down audio rack posts. If they're short enough you wont have this problem.

Comments (add)


Lloyd	I borrowed this one off of AA. I use those scour pads[ you can buy several in a bag at the local loonie store.] They have a foamlayer combined with a scouring pad layer. I cut them in two. They seem to work fine and you can hear the improvement without straining to hear the effect. I believe on AA they actually used sponges. The pads can be used between cords and wires,[I do], as well as to lift power cords and speaker wire off the floor.. Enjoyed your review....regards

Bruce	Very much enjoyed reading your article. I'm a newbie with this stuff. Wish I could afford these things - I'm going to look for some ceramic standoff insulators for now. My speakers are bi-amped with JPS Ulraconductor cable. Currently I have both cables enclosed in plastic conduit to keep my two bassett hounds from chewing them up (they've destroyed 4 remote controls so far...). Should I use seperate cable elevators for each cable? Does this arrangement (both cables enclosed in conduit) affect the sound? Thanks!

Boris	If you can, it would be best to use separate ones. Please see #2 suggestion in the sidebar above.

Bill M.	I use Hemingray No. 43 wire top insulators, as found regularly on eBay. Don’t know how they compare to the ones in your article.

rtausig	I have just bought these things and agree that they do improve detail and dynamics as you say. However, I feel the greatest benefit is when used to support power cables

Nelson	Hi, Do the Precision Audio Porcelain Cable Elevators+ come in black? I could have sworn I've seen solid black ones on the net at one time. Thanks, Nelson

Blair	I would just like to know if this guy used porcelain light fixtures to elevate his wires. I just bought some for about a buck 25 a piece to do the front speakers and I noticed a difference, this—I would think, with some certainty, would have the same effect. They just don't look quite as sanzzy or have a brand name on them.

Cable Elevators+