VAN DEN HUL The Magnum
Speaker cables
To describe the character of the VDH The Magnum I would say "a universal cable". It is actually quite good but not exciting. It may be a good partner for cheap and rather clinical sounding amplfiers and speakers as it may awake them with its warmth and liquidity.
Function and form
The Magnum uses OFC strands (483 individual tiny wires in each conductor, with the total cross-section of 8,54mm2!), that are silver plated. Like its sibling in the test, the VDH The Revolution Hybrid, The Magnum uses "linear structured carbon dielectrics" and a Hulliflex jacket (the Hullfilex is a variation on PVC). Both conductors are connected by a bridge so the distance from each other is predefined and constant.
The Magnum is a thick band (27mm wide and 7.5mm thick). It is easy to bend it in a 40mm radius, but it is nearly impossible to twist it. To get the The Magnum into the position behind a rack requires a lot of imagination and a lot of extra lengths - the only option is to form loops. Also, the cable has a shape memory so it likes to spring back after while. Not an easy animal.
Bass management
This review is a part of The Low and Mid-tier Speaker Cables Megatest that includes 18 different speaker cables. The pilot article is available at SPECIAL EDITION REVIEWS section of Audiodrom.
Clarity & delicacy
Tonal accuracy
Though I do not intend to get inspired by the VDH's vocabulary I indeed think that the best way to describe The Magnum's liquid, ultrasmooth and viscous sound is to say "a carbon sound". The Magnum left me dissapointed with its imaging of depth, which happened in individual planes rather than in continuous fashin. Also this cable had a tendency to obscure details and sounded veiled therefore.
Spatial resolution
I do not assume that The Magnum will be a pick for a high end audio system neither for those who listen to rock music - the INXS' Devil's Party was too soft through the VDH. However, it was not bad at all on Barbra Streisand's In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning, with its velvety rendition of this intimate piece.
Recommended resellers
High-End Audio Studio, Belgická 4, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844
Manufacturer's website: http://www.vandenhul.com
Associated components
- Sources: Primare CD32, Luxman D-05 and Accuphase DP-510
- Amplifiers: Primare I32, Luxman L-590AX a Accuphase E-560
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Krautwire Fractal, Cardas Clear, Homegrown Audio DNA
- Loudspeakers: Audio Physic Virgo V, Dynaudio Confidence C1 and Xavian Giulia, Chario Constellation, Xavian Preludio, Revel Ultima Studio2, B&W 805 Diamond and Atohm G 1.0
- Power conditioning: Nordost Thor (modified), Snakeblock, Nordost Valhalla
Gallery
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