Lancelock,
Nice review. What I may add is... This cable (Cerious Matrix with XLR’s) is certainly full bodied, not dark but very "organic" sounding, and in no way fuzzy sounding. With great mids and treble, it's all good. It sounds like 3D for audio. The depth and soundstage wraps around. And Dynamics to make this old man smile. Wow! When I turn my 7.1 Home Theater equipment on I have to check to make sure the back and side speakers are working because after listening to my 2 channel system it sounds closed in. At first listen the Cerious Matrix sounded a little light. It took quite a little while to break in compared to the CG version. I played a Purist break in disc for about 100 hours and music for about another 60 hours to get them to fully flesh out. Boy, do they do bass nicely. The speaker cables have maybe only 60 hours on them. Because my amps use tubes I’m not willing to keep them on continuously. So, the speaker cables will maybe take more time to break in fully. But, even at this point, they are sounding most impressive. I hear no downside. BTW, the speaker cables are even bigger than the CG versions. Mine have the banana’s connections and they look to be of very high quality.
ozzy |
plrules1962,
Yeah, I know what you mean. They do cost more than the CT’s. But, to me, well worth it. And, you can get full trade in price for your CT cables.
Heck, I paid $149 each for the SR Blue Fuses... This upgrade is way more substantial.
BTW, the XLR’s that are used are also of very high quality.
ozzy
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liitlecx,
I sold my HF Reveals once I heard the Cerious Matrix.
The Reveals are very good but honestly they are a light weight compared to the CM.
lprules,
Congrats! Welcome to the family! Give them some break in time though.
ozzy |
cycles2,
Knowing that the speaker cables would take the longest time to burn in (I’m using tube mono blocks) I tried them first. They look to be mighty impressive in size and construction. They are also the most costly to purchase.
Once you hear them broken in though you will want to get the interconnects perhaps then adding them one by one.
So, I say get the first major purchase out of the way.
ozzy
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hifial,
The HF Reveals have a lighter presentation compared to the Cerious Matrix.
That is ; The Cerious Matrix sounds more dimensional with a deeper image and more fleshed out sound.
Is this how "organic sound" would be described? I think so, and that would be the correct term for the difference between the two cable designs. IMHO that is.
ozzy
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mac48025,
I thought the Reveals were better than the HF CT's.
But, calloway is the man!. Sold the uber expensive HF UR's for the Cerious Matrix? Wow!
I would be curious to know how the Cerious Matrix perform compared to those.
ozzy |
yoby,
Thank you for comments, I do appreciate it.
No, at this point I am not using the Matrix power cords. My DIY power cords were quite labor intensive to build and I used some very premium wire (Furutech DPS-4) and Furutech’s $$$ Nano connectors.
Funny, you should ask that question about the Sonic Tonic. I haven’t liked the Tonics with interconnects.
With the Graphene Extreme interconnects the Sonic Tonic was too much. That is, the music sounded "aggressive". But now with the Matrix the Sonic Tonic seems (thus far) to add dynamics to the sound quality.
I think its because the Matrix XLR’s are using the Shadow connectors and this may tame the aggressiveness out of the Sonic Tonic. But, I have changed my mind several times on the Sonic Tonic placement, so time will tell whether I keep them on the interconnects.
One place they work great for sure is on the incoming main AC lines and on the audio dedicated breakers inside the circuit breaker box. And I also like them on HDMI connectors.
ozzy
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yoby,
Well I just changed my mind again and took the Sonic Tonic off the Matrix interconnects. It sounds purer without them.
ozzy |
Well with my DPS-4 I did use the Furutech FI-50 nano NCF connectors along with the nano liquid on the cable connections.
To me, these DIY power cords bettered all other power cords that I have used before. They seem to work best on digital and other front end equipment.
But, I have not yet tried Bob’s new Matrix power cords to compare. I would like to someday.
ozzy |
yoby,
I bought the DPS-4 cable from a Furutech distributor, I think in California. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name. But do a search and you should be able to find it. I see now that VH Audio also sells it.
I bought the Furutech nano liquid on EBay.
ozzy |
I have at least several hundred hours on my Cerious Matrix speaker, interconnect, and digital cables and I swear I am hearing sounds that are way off to the left and the right sides that I didn't notice in familiar recordings.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
ozzy
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Well, I used two (CM) lengths.
But Bob would probably make you up a short jumper set. It may not be exactly like the Matrix though because there probably isn’t enough room to fit in all of the ingredients.
Or perhaps just buy an additional Cerious Graphene cable (CT) and use that as a jumper for the bass?
ozzy
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calloway,
The Matrix speaker cables are the best, you should really enjoy them. Give them some hours of playing time though before you judge.
Happy New Year!
ozzy
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t_ramey,
To me the speaker cables had the bigger impact. But do get both eventually...
ozzy |
lak,
As good as the Matrix interconnects are the Matrix speaker cables are awesome. Heck, even just looking at them will impress due to there size, weight and appearance.
ozzy
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I live in Michigan and I am freezing my cables off!
ozzy |
littlecx,
I owned the Reveal balanced Interconnects through out my system and I thought they sounded great!
But, once I heard the Cerious Matrix cables, I sold all the Reveals.
For as good as the Reveals were the Cerious Matrix just made the music sound more lifelike. Once you use the Cerious Matrix you will get what I mean.
ozzy |
calloway,
Congratulations.
Adding the speaker cables to your CM interconnects really adds to the enjoyment / improvement.
Best cables I have ever tried / owned by far.
ozzy
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lak,
I own the Nanotec 308 and the Furutech DPS-4 cables.
On both types I have installed Furutech NCF nano connectors. In my opinion the DPS-4 is better suited for digital (because of all the shielding) and the 308 is better suited for amps, preamps etc.
At this point, I have not tried Bob's Cerious Matrix power cords to compare, but I would like to.
ozzy |
wig,
You didn't mention Furutech DPS-4. Its really in a different league. Different wire, shielding, gauge than the other Furutech's you mentioned.
ozzy |
wig,
Well that source is wrong. Huge difference!
ozzy |
For really cheap cable lifts try some small pieces of copper pipe Styrofoam insulation.
In_shore,
Congratulations, now you need to get the speaker and power cables... The quest never ends.
ozzy |
in_shore,
No I haven't tried any of the new Cerious Matrix power cords against my DIY Furutech's DPS-4 with the nano Furutech connectors...yet!
jsm71,
Yes, I have used the pipe insulation under cables. The nice thing it wraps around the cable so you don't have to worry about the cables falling off a holder. If you cut the insulation straight they look pretty good.
ozzy |
Well, I have on order some Matrix Power cords. This will complete (in my system) the Cerious Technologies Matrix loom.
The Matrix interconnects and speaker cables sounded pretty good right out of the box without much breakin time.
Can anyone comment if the power cord shares that trait?
ozzy
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In_shore,
I too am interested in the performance of the CE Matrix power cords and if they are anything close to the sonic performance of the CE Matrix other cables.
In regards to the WW- HDMI Platinum cable I was able to buy a short (.5M) length at a good price. Yes, it is a very big sonic upgrade from the provided PS HDMI cable. That is in terms of smoothness and natural sound.
Afterall the PS Direct Stream Dac/Player is not a cheap combo so why cheap out on the connection that matters the most with these units?
ozzy
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Yeah, I would like to know the purpose of the NCF booster?
ozzy |
Just received my Matrix power cables.
ozzy |
t_ramey,
I purchased 5 of the Matrix cords.
And no, even though I have about a 1/2 dozen Furutech DPS-4 I also own several other brands of power cords. However, I do like to keep the cable loom within a manufacturer line.
In the past I have used most of the top cable names. And what I have now is, (in my opinion), the best of the rest.
I'm hoping the Cerious Matrix will replace the usage of the other brands.
ozzy
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The Matrix power cords are breaking in just fine. I probably have about 50 hours on them so far. They were a little sluggish at first but are definitely improving now with a wider soundstage and much more dynamics than originally.
I just hope the wife doesn't look at the CC for a while...
ozzy |
sadono,
The Cerious Matrix cables does not accent any particular part of the audio band. But it does make the music sound more powerful.
I over estimated the usage time of my new Matrix power cables. I have only put about 30 hours on them so far.
sadono,
I'm not sure if you have any of the Cerious Matrix cables but the first aha moment comes with the first cable. Adding more of the Cerious Matrix cables in the system continues that affect. I started with the speaker cables, then interconnects and now the power cables.
ozzy
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My Cerious Matrix cables replaced Hi-Fidelity cables.
Before that were Synergistic, Purist, Transparent, MIT, Kimber Select, etc., etc.
ozzy
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gwng8,
I hear ya, but the Matrix does sound substantially better. In addition, the interconnects use the (more expensive) shadow XLR connectors.
ozzy |
thezaks,
The Matrix have what I call the muscular factor.
That is; more substance, more bass, midrange, treble, and presence. It is quite a dramatic contrast to the Cerious Extreme. Which is not a bad cable, I loved it. That is until I heard the Matrix.
The negative factor being the extra cost and having to again lie to my wife. (LOL).
ozzy |
t_ramey,
I still am using the DPS-4 with my tube amps and I like them very much. Mine have the Furutech nano connectors. Since I have all my other cables now to be Cerious Matrix there is definitely a synergy with the loom.
Someday, I would like to get a 3 meter pair of the Cerious Matrix power cords for my mono blocks. (I don’t think Bob makes them that long yet).
However, that will need to wait until I rob the stagecoach.
ozzy |
Bob evidently can make the Matrix power cords 3 meters long.
So, I finally ordered the last power cords for my mono blocks to complete the total loom with all Cerious Technologies Matrix.
Hopefully this will be the last cables I will need and the total investment will be worth it. I truly love this cable line it has so much "life" and "wholeness" that all cables that I used before the Matrix could never achieve,
ozzy |
lak,
Yes, they are that good!
ozzy
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Tell them its a specialized signal transmitter.
ozzy |
thezaks, lak,
Hopefully I will get the Matrix power cords by the end of the week.
lak thank you for your review.
ozzy
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droleg,
Go ahead make the investment in your personal pleasure and help the economy recover. (As the devil whispers in your ear...)
No seriously, I know its a tuff call to make. Perhaps you can sell your present cables to lessen the $$$ pain. And I think you can get a better price if you buy several at a time.
ozzy
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thezaks, Dave,
Glad he got back to you. I think he responds to me because I have bought so many cables from him that he was able to take a $$$ cruise... Just kidding of course!
ozzy |
Tuffy72561,
Yes I have been able to now use the CM on m y mono blocks and complete the entire loom. Excellent sound, very happy. The GE's are still very good, actually better than most other cables.
genjamin,
Congrats, You should be impressed, I know I was.
jsm71,
Yes, I agree the speaker cables are awesome.
ozzy
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maxima95,
I own the Furutech DPS-4 with the Furutech NCF nano connectors and the Cerious Technologies Matrix cables.
These cables are both very good but do something different. I have found that the DPS-4 provides more bass (deeper bass also) while the Cerious Matrix is a little tighter in the bass.
I guess it depends on what you like.
ozzy
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So, things have been quiet for a while, any newbies with these cables?
ozzy
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genjamon,
Best I can add is I went from the Cerious Extreme to the Matrix and it was a serious (pun intended) upgrade.
68pete,
Surprisingly I have never tried/owned Transparent cables. I guess once I seen pictures of the insides of one of their attached "boxes" I decided against trying them. Funny, there is not much mention about Transparent cables these days. I have however owned MIT which are perhaps similar.
ozzy
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thezaks,
Yes, I do.
I think the gold is used on digital power cords while the silver/rhodium for analog.
ozzy |
phxstubes,
Congrats!
I have been through so many cable brands until I found the Cerious. They really impress me.
ozzy
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genjamon,
Oh No!
Please do not smear that contact paste on the beautiful conductors used on the Cerious Matrix cables!!!
All that will do is add another metallurgy to the signal flow. The paste is for cheap fittings to make them conduct better.
ozzy
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perfectpathtech,
Aren't you a little bias?? You make that paste!
ozzy
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I see geoffkait keeps making childish useless statements.
The fact of the matter is I have tried the paste and did not like it. The high frequencies were subdued and the music sounded dead. Perhaps I used too much of the paste.
perfectpathtech want’s you to believe that everyone loves his paste. If not...
The question is; Do you want your connections clean tight and secure using the best metallurgy available or do you want to have your connections with a pasty film between the contacts? If so, then are you listening to the paste?
I dunno some rave about the paste so there must be some positives with it. It probably helps with systems that are bright the paste tones it down. I just didn’t like it.
ozzy
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