March 29, 2016

  • AudioQuest Forest RJ/E, Part 3

    In September 1992, when I set up our Sony CDP-520ESII CD player; Adcom GTP-400 tuner/preamp and GFA-535 power amp; and Pinnacle PN-5+ loudspeakers, the AudioQuest Topaz interconnect was obviously superior (less restricted, more revealing) to the Monster Cable IL-400. I just knew I had to go home, return the IL-400, and bring back the AQ Lapis. Oh ho ho. When the college kids witnessed the Lapis' sonic disappearing act, they (don't forget; no one was an audiophile) were astounded. So why do audiophiles insist that there are no sonic differences in cables?

    The AQ Topaz was $50 for a 1-meter pair. The Lapis was a whopping $400 for a 1-meter pair. Put it this way. The Adcom GTP-400 itself was $400.
    IMG_2911
    The AQ Forest RJ/E is $39 for a 0.75m piece, $49 for the 1.5m length.
    IMG_2909
    My AQ Lapis, which I bought in late 1991, had silver conductors. The Lapis' particular silver conductors exhibited NO brightness at all. The affordable Forest RJ/E must use silver plating over the copper conductors.

    By September 1992, Pat Buchanan and Ross Perot correctly predicted that free trade would only benefit corporations, and ship our high(er)-paying jobs overseas.
    IMG_2982
    Yep, the AQ Forest RJ/E is made in China.