NEW Cerious Technologies Upgrade - Graphene Matrix Cables


CT Graphene Matrix Cables:

I have been using the CT GE cables for almost two years.
I recently traded up for a full loom of CT Graphene Matrix cables, including speaker, interconnect and PCs, and I wanted to share my experience. I started by replacing only the ICs to try and hear the differences.

The new Matrix interconnects sounded better than the GE immediately after install. I found the original Graphene Extreme ICs to be good but not on the same level as the outstanding GE speaker cables. As break-in started to clear things up, I can hear more clarity and detail not heard before. The ICs are incredible on their own and at the 30 hour mark, I can hear a clear superiority over the GE ICs. I recently started using the Teo Game Changer ICs and preferred them over GE but the Teo has now fallen to the new Graphene Matrix ICs. My Teo’s were and are great, and it is stunning to experience Cerious Technologies commitment to making great technology better.

On the third day of listening to the GM ICs. I couldn’t wait anymore, Having too much fun. I then installed the speaker cables and power cords once I had a pretty good feel for the sound of the GM ICs.

With the full loom of GM cables running in they are going through some strange changes and definitely need time to settle down before realizing what they can really do and very important Bob says to not move them. Since I have a home office I can let them run in all day. I’m at around 120 hours now and they are still improving. Here’s what I’m hearing:

Extended highs and tighter lows.
More detail and better low level listening
Drums are tighter, more clearly defined. So real is the snap of the snare drum. The bass has more depth, seemingly goes deeper, lower. This aspect stands out the most.

I am not in the industry, I’m not an engineer, I don’t work for Cerious Technologies, but I am a fan of the cables and am enjoying what my system is capable of.

I’m closer to my own pinnacle of sound reproduction than ever before.

Lance

lancelock
@t_ramey ,

”There's a whole level of realism that is reached while still remaining natural that just makes for an awesome experience”

well said. I have about 200 hours on the full loom. The difference between the GE and this new Matrix line of cables is not small. Usually the rule of diminishing returns sets in eventually but Bobs breaking all of the rules here.

Lance
I've had my Matrix pc for about two weeks now with maybe around 100 hrs on it. It's powering my integrated amp that's all tube with big 845's so I don't like to leave it on all day but so far it's definitely a big improvement over the blue GE cable that I had before. There's a whole level of realism that is reached while still remaining natural that just makes for an awesome experience. I plan on adding two more pc's next month for my dac and coming form the wall to my power conditioner. 

I always like to try these new pc's on my tv to see if they improve picture quality like they do audio and the Matrix is the best I've seen yet. Before I placed it on my integrated I tried it on my Panasonic tv and noticed a more detailed but yet more natural picture that was really addicting and hated that I was going to unplug it to use on my amp. My previous tv cable champ was a Furutech DPS-4 that outperformed a blue GE but the Matrix is quite a bit better than both of those. I'm amazed that these improvements in picture quality correlate with what I hear on my amp- more detail and more natural. 

Anyway, looking forward to hearing how the Matrix ic's and speaker cables are doing for you guys.
ozzy:  Thanks for the  response. I have 4 on order, and I think I'll try them between the binding posts of my biwired speakers as you suggested in another thread. This is fun stuff.
yoby,

Well I just changed my mind again and took the Sonic Tonic off the Matrix interconnects. It sounds purer without them.

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

Hi  Ozzy: Are you using any of the Cerious Matrix AC cords in your system? If so, did you apply any Sonic Tonic to them? Thanks for all of the listening tests and experimentation you've done over the years. You have a good ear, and have saved me a lot of time and money.  Jeff
Ain't that the truth, aniwolfe! 

I'm resigned to just trying the Matrix IC's for now, but I know better, I'll be ordering the speaker cables, power cords and a digital cable before long. THEN I'll be done........with cables.......maybe :)
LOL Mac

If any manufacturer is smart and they know you own the product, they will release upgrades more often  :)
Thanks Calloway and Ozzy,

Looks like I need to order some Matrix cables. Just when I thought I was done making improvements to my system. I know, wishful thinking on my part! 
I want to publicly say that I like the new, improved Cerious Technologies website. Much easier to understand and use.
Bob, good job!
Hifial try both CT ic and Teo GC ic, high fidelity cables like the CT and Teo....in my system they are match you will get more weight good transient and good tonal balance....
Ozzy, thanks. 
That aspect is important to me. 
How would describe the difference between the detail retrieval of the two? 
One of the aspects that I like of the HFC is that they are great at micro detail and transparency. But I always felt that they could be a little light on the “weight” of the instruments. 
It seemed that in order to get the best of both one needed to go higher up in the HFC line. Which as you know can get very expensive. 
I haven’t tried them all but the Matrix interconnects are flat out the best I’ve ever had in my system.

im getting in some serious burn in time and it is well worth the wait. My system has never sounded this good. Revealing details in such a natural way.

If you think these sound when you get them just wait until 150 hrs. Oh boy.
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
mac48025...i will let you know also as i just sold my HF UR interconnects to buy the new Matrix RCA interconnects..
Ozzy,
would you happen to know how the Matrix IC's compare to the HF CT-1? I'm currently using the CT-1 interconnects and GE speaker cables. I'm very happy with the sound.........but always looking for ways to improve the sound. 

These new Matrix cables are very intriguing. I love the natural, organic sound of the of the GE speaker cables and it sounds like the new cables increase upon their good qualities. 
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

Ozzy, could you please give a more detailed difference between the HFC and the CT. Not sure what you mean by "a light weight"
I am very familiar to the CT-I and CT-1E so any thing you could describe would help me to compare them.

Thanks in advance.
Is the Matrix PC a little heavy and stiff like the GE PCs?  I'm asking because I have a few bends to navigate and would like to get the shortest length that is practicable.  My experience with heavy/stiff cables is that you have to get them a little longer.
@powerglide,

you articulate what I’m hearing so well. The details are retained even more clearly. I suppose we could call it the CT house sound but on another level. Everything sounds so realistic as if the band were in front of me. The bass is so impressive and still sounds like it’s an octave lower. I’m at about 150 hrs and still hearing improvement.
I just got back from Bob’s after trading in a blue GE pc for a Matrix pc that is powering my integrated amp. Right off the bat there is more clarity and detail and spaciousness with not a single hint of harshness. I’m pretty impressed already and Bob says they’re only half way from where they’ll end up. I told him I’d be happy if the Matrix pc never changed but I guess I’ll have to endure more improvement. :)

If I’m just getting a smidgeon of what Lance is hearing then I can see trading in the rest of my GE cables at some point down the road. My short time with just the one Matrix pc on my amp and I’m feeling and hearing like this is the way a stereo system should be. Naturally detailed and musical, dare I say organic or analog....

I’ll chime in after few days and reassess. Well done Bob!
Lancelock,
Are the most delicate, deepest details retained in the same manner with the Matrix loom as the GE loom presents? Is the bass more sophisticated in serving all of the nuances so wonderfully contained through the GE loom?
Reading through this post and I find it interesting that some folks have swapped some pretty expensive cables for these new ones. It seems to me that at the core of these cables, it is a silver core with a braid/wrap which the goal is to eliminate undo interference from external noises. Is this noise composed of EMI/RFI, static, and/or other static related to power induction streams going through a power cord, or a cable closely sitting next to a power cable or other cable subject to hum? 

I have ave been on the cable merry go round as the rest of you, until recently. I am using a solid slver core wire with a PE wrap and WBT pure silver connectors. I  don’t hear any noises, or static, just a three dimensional sound field, as many of you have described with this new cable. 

I just wonder if these cables are addressing external influences of some people’s systems based on their use of unsheilded cables. Does anyone know what the measured capacitance is for these interconnects? Curiosity is getting me, despite having an already great system and soundstage. The million dollar question we are always asking is if their is something better. I guess I might have to try to see. But, if the responses of some of you have indicated, these might be the ticket.

I would also be interested in knowing how these cables sound with vinyl and especially brass and cymbals. I have distinct and clear definition that is palpable right now, I don’t need to change a thing, yeah right😀

you guys are killing me, just when I thought I had it all right for myself. I may be tempted to do a trial. Thanks for making my journey never ending. 
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
@cycles2 

I had a full loom of the CTG cables, I have ordered one Matrix Interconnect, however, I have not received it yet and I have not heard the new Matrix products yet.

With that said, if you are still using the same components as with your CTG Loom, I would think the results with the Matrix line might follow suit.
@cycles2 ,

I gave the interconnects 3 days before putting in the the SCs and PCs. I can report that there was a significant jump in quality using just the ICs and they weren’t even close to being burned in.

once I introduced the other cables into the system there was no way to tell which Cable was doing more. I have another loom of cables coming for a second system. I will try to be a little more scientific this time and eliminate the variables.


@Lancelock or Ozzy,

Since the cost of upgrading a full loom of Cerious GE cables to the new Cerious Matrix cables isn't trivial, can you suggest which Matrix cables (speaker, interconnect, power) made the largest SQ improvement.  For those of us with a full loom of GE cables, this would help give us an idea  which cable to upgrade first. For example, when I switched to the GE cables last year, I found the GE speaker cables made the biggest SQ improvement. 
I also see that Mad Scientist Audio makes cables with graphene design.  Anyone compare them?
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
Hi guys,

Pleased an order with Bob. Trading in GE cables - and Bob charged only the difference and he said send in the old cables after I get the new ones, so I would not have down time - fair and good deal.

I ordered two pairs of the GM ICs, one Matrix digital and two pairs of Matrix SCs.

Will post impression after I get them.
@lancelock, very nice looking system! 
I'm amazed that you're happy with the bass response from your speakers without the need for your two subs. That really speaks highly of the new Matrix speaker cables.
My listening session tonight is astounding. I marveled at the improved bass with the GE SCs but these Matrix cables have me in subterranean territory. I have always been wanting in the bass department with my Janszen zA2.1 speakers but this is sooooo satisfying now. One of my subs is out for repairs so theyre both off and I feel like I really don't need them anymore.
@aniwolfe , There is a bit of price difference. The Graphene Matrix cables are in response to customer demand for a "cost no object" cable, I’m sure Bob will correct me if I’m wrong. This is a different market. The GE cables are giant killers at their price point. I'm very happy with the quality vs. cost with these GM cables so far.
I got to say the price difference on some of these cables are quite huge. The interconnects for example 1m GE $349 to 1m GM $1249 o.o.
I am sure it must be more expensive to make etc, but these are not budget priced cables at least for me. I am assuming new owners feel its worth almost 4x the price? I am sure everyone is going say "Absolutely" but I figured I would ask lol.
@lak , I have the PCs but I after listening to the interconnects Carefully, I then put the PCs and SCs in at the same time so its now difficult for me to tell which is doing what.

i have more cables coming for a second system I have, so I will install the PCs first this time and give some time to break-in. I will report my findings.

i think Bob hit a grand slam this time.
I've heard from owners of the Matrix interconnects and speaker cables.
Antone have the Matrix power cord and care to comment about it?
No doubt from what I've read from audiophiles who's ears I trust Bob has hit another home run. Congratulations!
@muzikmann, I only have experience with the Teo GCs and I don’t think there too many Matrix cables out there quite yet but give it a little time.
Waiting on someone to share comparisons between CT Graphene Matrix and Teo Audio Splash RS cables.

Thank you.
Ozzy and Lancelock,

I sold my all Nordost wiring for the CTs a while back after I switch to the CTs. And your guys were right about the CTs.

I think I am going to try a small batch of the new Matrix, starting from the interconnects and see if they are worthy upgrades.

I would be curious to know if anyone has compared the CT Matrix against Teo Audio Splash cables?


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