Review: Kimber Hero

[steveinaz]

Review: Kimber Hero RCA terminated interconnect ($125/.5mtr; $160/1mtr)

Associated equipment: See my signature link

Conditions:
Kimber Hero was used throughout; 1 mtr pair from the DAC to the pre; .5mtr pair from the pre to the amp. Kimber 8TC is used for speaker cable.

Introduction:
I really hate reading reveiws, but like most it's hard to fight the temptation of researching your potential purchase. The problem with cable reviews is that they are all over the map; both consumer and professional. One guys says their aggressive in the treble, the next guy says their laid-back. Whatever. You know the drill. I'm going to do something totally different with this review. In this review you're gonna a get a glimpse of "real-time" unadulterated, unedited note taking thoughts---on the fly so-to-speak. I think it’s better that way as I won’t forget subtleties that I notice. I'll try my best to remain objective, but since alot of these comments are related to my mental comparison to the Kimber PBJ that the Hero’s are replacing, there will be some subjectivity surfacing.

Here we go, unedited, non-spell checked, straight from my nearly illegible notes. Take'm for what they're worth:

- the locking WBT connectors are awesome!
- bass noticed right away
- kick drums have more body and less hollow "thud" sound
- deeper yet more controlled bass, 3-dimensional in the lower registers
- mid-bass control, or lack of? definitely cleaner
- nice impact in the lower octaves, more tactile
- strikes on rim of snare drum sound like wood
- can hear the brass in the cymbal; strike of the drum stick is clearly heard
- cymbal "splashes" shimmer and have a smooth, long decay—lack of veil
- wood on brass rather than just a cymbal sound
- energy, pace, excitement
- complete lack of "nasal" sounding vocals--voices are real in pitch/scale
- very accurate tonal balance, very listenable, satisfying
- render a life-like texture to the sound—your not listening to the CD player, you're listening to the music
- you forget about the equipment
- clarinets have proper level/balance in the performance, not unduly forward like they can sometimes sound.
- more midrange presence; there's a shift in the cables energy. In the PBJ, the balance slants to the treble; with Hero things are shifted in a more natural balance to the midrange/treble.
- a touch more depth to the soundstage
- overall more body to the music, while maintaining transients/control, very satisfying

There it is, right off the paper to you. Do I like the Hero? Oh yes. It really has a great ability to allow the music to flow, unimpeaded, naturally, neutrally—with just the right amount of excitement to keep you interested, without any artificial flair. In my opinion, Hero is an upgrade worth the additonal cost from PBJ. Don’t get me wrong, the PBJ is an outstanding cable, and most will be completely satisfied with PBJ's take on music, but for those wanting to push the envelope a little further, Hero gives you a little more of everything that brings you ever closer to the real performance, most notably, the tonal balance and character in the treble/midrange.

[schwarcw]

Nice creative approach in your write up. In retrospect, was there anything about the cable that left you wanting?

[steveinaz]

Nothing comes to mind, they really synergize well with my setup; I'm impressed that they brought more to the table than the PBJ. I didn't think it was possible. Better isn't always better though. I found this out when I tried upgrading from Audioquest Copperheads to AQ Diamondback---I did not like the Diamondback, even though it was "suppose" to be better.

IMO, the PBJ is the best cable available under $100. If you're willing to go a little higher, get the Hero.

[wingnut4772]

Nice review. I like mine as well.

[Early B.]

Yeah, those Heros are awesome, dude. Glad you like them.

[steveinaz]

Cable changes always make me nervous, especially when everything is working well already---this was a pleasant surprise. I didn't anticipate this much difference, I figured it would be subtle if at all.

[Zero]

Glad to see you dig the new toys.

[mantis]

Great choice in Ic's. I liked them alot as well.

Dan

[ND13]

Wires is wires....;) :p

[Midnite Mick]

oh oh! This could get ugly!

Mike

[Midnite Mick]

woops missed the wink there

Mike