The Cassiel optimised-for-STAX power cords

Power cords DO make a difference – but do bear in mind that a difference isn’t ALWAYS an improvement.

On the other hand, for something to be an improvement – it has to be different!

Perhaps the most important bit; what owners say

Mr. RB: Cirencester. UK.

Hi Howard

You’ll be pleased to hear that your 100% cable non-returns record remains intact.
I’ll be keeping the cable.

FWIW, I felt the improvements were evenly spread across the board – not just better bass. It was a double whammy result in that I got more detail/definition/dynamics PLUS a reduction in upper mid/treble hardness.
In short, a more natural and engaging sound. Not that it was that poor in the first place.

This replaced a £60 AudioWorks cable, which I was very impressed with when bought 4-5 years ago. Since then, by comparing with other cables (more expensive than yours), I’ve come to realize that the AudioWorks was a touch on the bright side.

Anyway, I hope you are well and are enjoying your new directions.

Regards

RB

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Mr. BC: Maidstone. UK.

Hi Howard - just received your letter re Cassiel power cord comments -well,
here goes.

I initially purchased the CASS/3 some months ago. Once I had connected it to my Stax 006t/SR004 my first impressions were very encouraging. Bass had immediately tightened up, and voices became more defined. After an hour or so of listening, the bass had definitely extended - and the whole system became more lucid.

Wondering If I could improve on this, I exchanged the CASS/3 for a CASS/4.

Again I experienced the above, but this time the bass was even tighter - in fact the whole soundstage was tighter. Voices were crisp and clear. After an hour or so - the same lucid quality came over, and I felt the system had more transient attack . So a dramatic improvement - which I did not think was possible.

Finally - my only criticism was one of 60.s music. I have some compilation albums - and they are all highly modulated. The consequence of this was that voices were at the back of the soundstage and the bass was dominant. But of course a lot of these old tracks were originally mono - electronically reprocessed for stereo . So I suppose the tracks themselves are flawed -listen to the early tracks of the ROLLING STONES (40 LICKS) -and you'll see exactly what I mean.

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From Mr. SP: Saffron Walden. UK.

Hi Howard,

I got your letter the other day about writing something down about the
Cassiel impressions. So here goes ....

I owned the CAS1 for a short time before upgrading to the CAS5/A
prototype. Stax System: Altmann Attraction DAC via Black Rhodium Opera
interconnects into SRM-006T (MK1) & 404 earspeakers.

CAS1 versus stock cord (going from memory): I thought that this cable gave a good improvement over the stock cable. A level of residual noise was removed from the sound (the silences were more silent - if that makes sense !). The bass was also slightly tightened up.

CAS5 Prototype versus stock cord: This also gives a very silent background to the music. The sound has also become slightly more detailed (probably because of the lack of hash). The most noticeable difference is in the bass. It's significantly tighter and seems to go down deeper. The bass performance with the stock cord is just ok, with the CAS5 it's pretty good. I think that probably helps further up the frequency range too. All things are relative, but I think the CAS5 is a great value upgrade to the 006T.

Both cables have shown me that the 006T is very vulnerable to the mains
and that a decent power cord is a must, to get the max out of the amp.

Unfortunately I can't compare the CAS5 versus CAS1 as I sold the CAS1 on
before I had a chance to compare.

By the way, aren't second hand prices on eBay for Stax stuff crazy.
Lots of people are really paying a lot. No more bargains for a while !

You previously gave me the number of a guy who can do upgrades to the
006T mk1. I have the number somewhere and I'll probably give him a call
soon. Is he still active ? What kind of improvement can I expect ?

Good luck with the new venture.

Cheers,

S

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From Mr. PD: South Wales

Dear Howard.

I am very happy with my Cassiel power cord. I find it a big improvement on the standard power cord supplied by STAX.

I am using it with my STAX 007t II energiser and STAX 404 signature headphones.

I find the bass better and the overall sound is more open and smoother than with the power cord supplied by STAX.

yours faithfully

PD

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From Mr. DR: West Yorkshire

Regarding the Cassiel power cords I got from you, I'm happy with them. Since I started listening to music with the Esoteric X-03se SACD player through the STAX headphones (sorry, earspeakers), the sound quality is just amazing.

I use both Cassiel power cords I got from you, one on the STAX energiser and the other on the Esoteric.

Bye for now

D

Introduction (Series 1 Cassiel)

This project came about as the result of a curious situation in late 2005. One of my STAX Omega-2 customers purchased from his local non-STAX retailer a number of Nordost power cords. (Valhalla and Vishnu) and a Thor. £5k in total. They made, according to him, absolutely no difference whatsoever to his STAX equipment.

His retailer wouldn’t even give him half retail if these items were returned after just a few weeks of careful use. Anyway, Mr. X returned to me with his £5k worth of Nordost to see if (a) it would make any improvement to my Omega-2 system and (b) if they didn’t, to sell them on his behalf.

I tried them in all my STAX systems and like Mr. X I heard no difference whatsoever!

However it’s worth noting that both I and Mr. X use dedicated audio-only mains spurs direct from our consumer units. Possibly this caused the disappointing NORDOST result in our two homes.

In situations where users are stuck with using a conventional ring main, with all the attendant problems associated with televisions on the same circuit, the outcome might be entirely different. The puzzling thing was though that I had heard a worthwhile improvement via random prototype power cords from other makers.

So this is what I did

I contacted 3 power cord makers. I asked each of them submit up to 4 samples of the best they could produce – without taking price into account .

The deal I offered was simple. I would place regular bulk orders for each and every power cord I liked i.e. if I heard an improvement through my STAX systems, then I’d place the order.

I received 6 prototypes in total. And then I sat down and listened, and listened and ended up with 4 which made a worthwhile improvement.

What did I hear?

First, please bear in mind that these 4 power cords were auditioned straight out of their jiffy bags, and then during many hours.

It’s no joke listening to the same 3 tracks time are time after bl—dy time! It really isn’t. It took me months, literally months to get back to listening to those 3 ‘test’ tracks again without a shudder.

(a)     To varying degrees with all 4 power cords, in the mid-range there was a greater sense of ambience and a noticeable reduction in the artificiality of recorded music compared to the original event. The sound was slightly more ‘up-front’ – a bit like being more in the center seats rather than the rear seats.

(b)     I had hoped for an increase in top-end detail – but there wasn’t any I could detect. However, the detail that was there was better defined, more separated and clearer. So please note – not once did I hear vocals or instruments that I’d not heard previously with alternative power cords. Mind you, I didn’t with the £1,750 Nordost Valhalla power cord either!

(c)     It was the bass that showed the biggest improvement. With each of the 4, the bass was always faster, tighter, less one-note and more dynamic. For me this really is the strongest and most immediately noticeable improvement. With CAS3 and CAS4, bass took on a weight and ‘slam’ that truly surprised me.

In one instance, I almost achieved the same bass dynamics from a CAS4-powered SR-717 using the comparatively modest 404 earspeakers as I did with a Nordost Vishnu-powered SR-717 using Omega-2 earspeakers. Extraordinary, but true.

Kleenex

A CAS4-powered SR-717 driving Omega-2 earspeakers has to be heard to be believed.

I just don’t have words to describe this. What I can tell you is that with the Glen Gould Goldberg Variations (the latter recording) and The Who’s “Pure and Easy” – and many others besides, I had to reach for the Kleenex – and not for my nose either! Emotional? You’ve no idea!

Does this mean a user will experience the same?

Hopefully – yes, but I’ve really no idea.

The point being that if any retailer, maker or reviewer claims that they can predict or indeed guarantee that a user will always achieve a consistent and noticeable improvement by using their power cords, well they probably lie about other things too.

That’s why I offer my 14-day buy-without-risk / Sale-or-Return facility.

If any Cassiel power cord doesn’t meet your requirements – for any reason whatsoever – return it and get a 100% vat-inclusive refund. No questions asked. None.

Did the suppliers claim anything special?

No – simply because I'm not interested in claims. I made it clear that if their prototypes and production samples made an improvement in line with the eventual retail cost, then I’d place the orders.

My ethos is this; if the product can’t be demonstrated to make an improvement, then it just isn’t worth it. There’s too much hype and both inadvertent and deliberate deceit in this industry. I'm not going to contribute to any of that.

Do I have any idea why these differences occur?

I have no theories whatsoever. To me, it’s simple in that either the chosen power cord makes an improvement or it doesn’t. That’s the ONLY aspect that matters. Everything else – which frankly is more theory than practice – is at best merely nice-to-know and at worst, a distraction. However …..

What I can tell you is that in my room with all my STAX demonstration equipment (I resigned the STAX agency in February 2007) and with my attitude, listening tastes and aspirations, the changes seem to relate predominantly to the quality of the IEC terminations. The cord and 13amp plugs on CAS2, CAS3 & CAS4 are identical. Only the IEC terminations vary. On the face of it then, it’s the IEC connector that’s making the difference. Admittedly I find this very hard to believe. However, despite my scepticism, this seems to be the case.

Considering what these Cassiel power cords can do to improve the sound, why are they so inexpensive?

I'm not greedy. I make a decent but not obscene profit margin. I'm content with that.

Are Cassiel power cords likely to be reviewed?

No, most unlikely. There’s no point really. What the reviewer obtains is his/her situation is absolutely no guarantee and in my experience little indication of what will or might happen in your system.

Reviewers don’t offer refunds!

I do!

So – bearing in mind the 14 day Buy-without-risk / Sale-or-Return facility, you can be your own reviewer. If there’s no improvement with a Cassiel power cord, just return it in good order. You money will be refunded in full. No questions asked.

Who are Cassiel?

Cassiel is the trading name for my two suppliers. One of these suppliers, the one that supplied the CAS1 is unknown in the audiophile world and has no desire to become known. They are content with their business in the medical equipment field. The other supplier, the one that produces CAS2, CAS3 & CAS4 are a very well known – globally respected – power cord maker who for complex commercial and marketing reasons prefer to remain anonymous in this situation.

Are Cassiel likely to build interconnects?

No. The makers are in the top rank of power cord design and production. They both told me that they prefer to be master of one – just one – art rather than a jack-of-all-trades.

Is there a break-in period?

Well, sort of ‘yes’ and sort of ‘no’. Each of the 4 Cassiel power cords make, in my demo systems and those of my customers a noticeable worthwhile improvement straight out of the box. However in long-term experiments here, and again borne out by reports from users, shows none of the 4 produce a sound that’s anymore satisfying after 200 hours (or so) than they did at around 100 hours of use.

Additional information

12 month unconditional warranty

14-day Buy-without-risk / Sale-or-Return facility.

Unbeatable upgrade facility – which means that if you trade one version of a Cassiel lead for any of the more advanced options, I’ll give you a 70% trade in value of the ex-vat price you paid for the traded-in cord.

Can Cassiel power cords be purchased anywhere else?

No. This is because by selling direct, I can keep the price down by avoiding the dealer margin. Also it is highly unlikely that any conventional audiophile retailer would agree to offering a money back guarantee. The traditional dealer mentality is to offer credit notes. It’s not a practice I approve of.

Are Cassiel power cords available for export?

Yes, but please bear in mind that even the 1.0m cords are heavy. Carriage to non-UK destinations, which is always quoted beforehand might make the purchase unattractive.

Prices for Series II Cassiel:

All the prices here include FREE carriage in the UK and throughout Europe

These prices show VAT included.

For export, please deduct 17.5%

Heavy Duty	Length	Plating	Cost

CAS/2.3 (Brass)	1.0m	Brass	£106.02
	1.5m	Brass	£123.12
	2.0m	Brass	£140.22

CAS/3.3 (Silver)	1.0m	Silver	£123.12
	1.5m	Silver	£140.22
	2.0m	Silver	£157.32

CAS/4.2 (Gold)	1.0m	Gold	£140.22
	1.5m	Gold	£157.32
	2.0m	Gold	£74.42

Super heavy duty	Length	Plating	Cost

CAS/5.1 (Brass)	1.0m	Brass	£119.70
	1.5m	Brass	£145.35
	2.0m	Brass	£171.00

CAS/5.2 (Silver)	1.0m	Silver	£136.80
	1.5m	Silver	£162.45
	2.0m	Silver	£188.10

CAS/5.3 (Gold)	1.0m	Gold	£153.90
	1.5m	Gold	£179.55
	2.0m	Gold	£205.20