Let's talk about cables...
Last week I purchased the controversial CA Trifecta after having a pleasant surprise when demoing the IEM. I can understand why some people have mixed or negative feelings about this IEM. At a first glance and just out of the box, with the given cable and eartips, the sound can be a little overwhelming specially in the high frequencies, causing an impression of lack of separation and definition, while the bass overshadows all the rest.
I read A LOT about the Trifecta since the crafting and proposal got me really interested and I noticed several comments about tweaks that can really transform this IEM. And when this happens, it just changes the hobby for many.
Well, I am
extremely happy to inform that after playing with different eartips and shifting between the original cable and the
PW Audio Orpheus, I finally found a solution that brought me as close to my ideal sound signature as I never been before: and I mean that by even comparing my portable rig to my stereo hifi system and Planar Magnetic Headphones. My final solution didn't come cheap, but all the aforementioned systems costs more than 10 times the price of my portable set.
The final piece to complete my system (N30L DAC and CA Trifecta / Aroma Jewel IEMs) is the
8 wire cable Beat Audio - the Orbit Saga. First of all I would like to give
Andrew and Leo at MusicTeck a big shoutout for letting me test the product with my gear. They are always extremely helpful and professional!!
Lets address the elephant in thew room - yes, it is an expensive cable, but it does what no other component in the system ever did. Also, I won't discuss the argument that cables don't make a difference, because in my experience with both speakers and Headphones, I have always noticed improvement with some high quality products. With the BA Orbit Saga is not different: it is almost as if I changed a chip inside my DAC, or attached a separate power supply or even improved the drivers of my Trifecta. Quoting their website, "
Even though some may be doubtful, all frequencies are improved with sparkling and airy treble, smooth and sweet vocal, and deep and powerful bass. Moreover, you can experience a whole new level of soundstage and clarity." This is EXACTLY what the Orbit did to my rig.
After listening to this cable (and still listening now, while I write this, with a huge smile on my face), I felt compelled to do a quick comparison between the Orbit and the Orphy which I also own. My objective is to help those who are interested but can't find information or reviews about the Orbit Saga, considering that for the price this is definitely a niche product.
1) Packaging
The unboxing experience with the BA Orbit Saga is pretty similar to opening a jewel box, which should be expected for the price range. Inside the lacquer wooden box comes a beautiful and interesting glass sculpture of a folded cable that will be definitely seating in my office and a raw piece of the metals used in the cable. Its important to observe that the cable doesn't come with a smaller case to store and transport it as it usually happens with cables in this price range. The Orpheus in the other hand offer a very simplistic unboxing experience but offers a metal square case to store the product.
2) Build Quality
I believe the Orbit Saga is the most well made cable I ever touched: the build quality is impeccable: the terminations are golden plated with elegant designs and laser engraved logo. The color of the materials inside the cable is beautiful to look at and despite being a thick 8 wire cable, it is quite lite and flexible - much smoother than the Orpheus.
3) Sound
Both cables are exceptional choices and above this price point the perceived improvement is relative. I was very happy with the Orpheus and never imagined that a cable could improve the sound even more. In fact I've been using the Orpheus with the Jewel and the N30L for quite some time and was very happy with the transparency and signal optimization across the board, especially on the treble. The only negative point of the Orphy for me is the microphonics and how hefty the cable is.
The Orbit Saga has an even more revealing, micro-detailed tuning. It is like the opposite of Orpheus, improving the resolution and the retrieval of details, being complementary to the sound characteristics of PWAudio cables. With the Trifecta, the Orbit Saga addresses all the normal complaints of the IEM (lack of resolution, separation and too much treble) and adjust the wild characteristics of the Trifecta, keeping and improving its unique cavernous bass impact, now with more control and speed. All of a sudden, it is like the the cable bring the IEMs a few inches far from the ears, giving a bone chilling sense of space and air. If you use an airy IEM (as the Trifecta is) the synergy is godlike. I would love if everyone who didn't enjoy the Trifecta in the first experience could try it with the BA Orbit Saga and experience an unique portable hi end analog music experience!
All the characteristics from the system were improved simultaneously - all frequencies, speed, imaging, air, soundstage. It brings lifelike feelings to the music. My rig got particularly interesting because the N30L is not a flat or V shaped DAC, but its very musical. Aligned with the analog mids of the Trifecta and the final transformative adjustments across the spectrum caused by the BA cable, this system achieved a whole new level of performance - its maybe the better sounding system that I ever listened to (for my preferences).
I am a drummer and for me its very difficult to find a system that reproduces correctly the impact of a snare drum or the proper punch with control from a bass drum. This particular chain reproduces the sound not only of drums but also piano, orchestra, voices and even electronic music with dynamics and impact that one can experience in a live concert - and its pretty mindboggling at some points considering that such small drivers are inside the ear and at the same time sounding as if they are punching you in the chest. And this wasn't happening with that intensity, before I added the BA Orbit Saga to the chain. Not even with the Orpheus. So in the end, its pretty clear which cable is the best
At this price ($7,299.00 for the 8 wire) it is difficult to recommend the purchase of such product. But if you have the chance to experience it or the funds to include it in your chain, believe me: it can as transformative and pleasant as buying a brand new TOTL IEM or a DAC!
