Tag Archives: AB-Tech

Opinion 1

When somebody is looking at the audio market a bit closer than just glancing over it, he or she is probably well aware that besides big corporations, or holdings, having a big portfolio of sometimes very different brands, there is a wealth of smaller companies, manufactures. Those are either typical, classical partnership companies, where a few people come together to form it, or family businesses. And it quite often happens, that the younger generation becomes interested in the business and tries their own skills under their own brand. That was the case with Alexander Vitus Morgensen, who did create the lifestyle brand Alluxity, but finally merged back with Vitus, the company of his father, and this has also happened with another Alexander, Bladelius (son of Mike), who decided to found his company AB-Tech and try and find his spot in the audiophile market. And while in the case of the Danes we deal with two brands operating in the same segment, electronics, with the Swedes, the senior concentrates mainly on amplifiers, while the junior decided to enter the cabling and accessories part of the market. And it is his, currently quite modest portfolio, which has only three products listed, we have taken something to test – the very intriguing Ethernet Isolator, which was kindly supplied us by the Wrocław based Audio Atelier. So please be invited to read its review.

When you look at the unboxing, or the gallery for this review, you probably noticed that the cable itself is quite sturdy, and its build quality seems to be quite resilient against any transport issues. However due to either extraordinary care, or just trying to anticipate the worst, the products is supplied to its buyers in an armored Peli chest, padded with foam, similar to how Kimber cables are packaged. If that would not be enough, the REN is accompanied by a note, confirming the correctness of your choice, a cleaning cloth and solution for impregnating and cleaning (protect from oxidizing) of the decorative and functional (the company logo is engraved on it) aluminum block integrated with the cable.
Although the description of the tested cable can be a little confusing, we are dealing here with an Ethernet Cat8 cable with a filter mounted on it. As you can probably guess, the filter part is inside the non-magnetic aluminum block. Inside you have the galvanic isolation of the signal and mass, and the isolator is placed inside an anti-vibration material. The effectiveness of this isolation is presented by the manufacturer using appropriate charts.

The cable itself is made from twisted pairs of copper conductors, each shielded with PETP aluminum foil, and the four pairs are surrounded by thermoplastic material and a black sheath, further reducing noise. The whole is amended by appropriately refined plugs (Telegartner?) with cast casings. In general we deal here with a cable equipped with a “do good” box on it, what is not uncommon in the audiophile world, as such products, not only in the Ethernet world, but also used for other connections are for example the Synergistic Research Galileo SX, SOtM (dCBL-CAT7), the Polish Audiomica (Arago Excellence, Artoc Ultra Reference, Anort Consequence). And while with the Audiomica the filters are optional, in the REN, similar to the Synergistic and SOtM dCBL-CAT7, this element is obligatory.

Before we move to the part about sound, let me allow myself a digression. The inclusion of the REN in my system did also have some visual implications. No, I do not mean that its stiffness or other anomalies, which it did not have by the way, being a very nicely bendable and arrangeable, so I was able to put it behind my system as planned, but every time I plugged it in my Silent Angel Bonn N8 switch, the LED informing about the connection changed its color. Instead of the soothing green indicating a 1000Mbps link, the AB-Tech cable lowered the speed to 100Mbps, what changed the indication color to amber-orange. And it was not a one-off occurrence, but a constant characteristic of the Swedish cable as it happened with all ports and many different devices, like the transport Lumïn U2 Mini, the streamer Lumïn T3, the all-in-one Auralic Vega G2.2 Sile and with the multichannel receiver Denon AVR-S770H. So I assume that this is how it works, especially as Jacek noticed a similar behavior in his system. The manufacturer mentions in the company materials, that connection using this cable can be established much slower than usual, up to one minute, due to the isolation module implementation, but he does not mention anything about any limitation to transfer speed or incompatibility with the 1Gb standard. But there is no reason to get upset, as one of the best (if not the best) switches available on the market, the Innuos PhoenixNet offers only 100Mbit data transfer, and it does not harm it at all, as it sound perfectly. But from chronicling duty I need to mention this for you to be aware.

In terms of sound, the AB-Tech REN represents a well done combination of resolution with a truly analog smoothness, with a touch of darkening, at which is resembles a combination of the characteristic of Next Level Tech NxLT Lan Flame with the Fidata HFLC. It maybe is not as energetic as the Synergistic Research Galileo SX, or so juicy as the David Laboga Custom Audio Ruby, so in the end its presence in the system should maybe not be regarded as cosmetic, but more like a final evolutionary/fine-tuning touch, rather than a revolution. After plugging in the REN not only coherence of the sound improved, but also its communicativeness. But instead of a syrupy stickiness we have a complete musical spectacle, being a coherent whole in global terms, with a natural ability to immerse yourself in the recording, where palpability is not only available for the frontmen, but covers the whole ensembles. Here a quite important remark, this insight into the recording does not mean, that the further planes are brought forward, but about keeping their full resolution, so the back stage musicians do not need come forward to grab our attention, but we are seeing and hearing further. And this depth is making an incredible impression. I would even claim that this depth is the defining measure for the space showing abilities of this cable, at the same time not accusing the width of the stage of anything in the process. The sounds are existing in most cases behind the line of the speakers, they are not trying to jump forward and get on the knees of the listeners. Only when the mastering engineer decides to play around with phase they move around the room, to sometimes appear behind our back.
Fortunately the constructor did not forget about the third dimension, so also height of appearance of individual vocals and instruments is quite similar to reality, so you can clearly see and hear, that the chorus on “Missa Criolla” Ariel Ramirez are not only standing in a half-circle, but also at different heights. Is this obvious? As practice and experience tells, not always. And if we add to that the ability to almost holographically precisely position the vocalist (the late Mercedes Sosa) then we can talk about being fully happy. A similar progress came with playing “S&M” by Metallica, where the dynamic potential of this metal band, supported by a symphonic orchestra, was reproduced with appropriate oomph and impetus, but where we also did not have any issues in precisely pointing to the individual musicians. In addition you could feel, that this musical project was not a glued together event, where the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra would play their own part and Metallica separately theirs. No, the Swedish cable not only contained, but even underlined the synergy on the stage. And here another remark. While the REN emphasizes the coherence and harmony of the sound, this does not mean, that it averages or mindlessly smoothens the reproduced music. It is enough to reach for “Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven” by Warduna, to hear with your own ears, that the native harshness and rawness of the source material did not lose anything from its nature.

Like I mentioned earlier, the AB-Tech REN is such a neutral cable, that it can find its place in systems of lovers of all kind of extremes, as well as those who prefer the land of mildness. In both cases it will not destroy anything from the ideas the creators put in their work, it will only homogenize the sound a bit and will introduce some nobleness, so nice to our ears. This is why it needs to be looked at as a kind of evolution of your system, and the filtration offered by it should be treated as a nice bonus, and substitute for what audiophile switches can do for systems based on streaming and plating from files.

Marcin Olszewski

System used in this test:
– CD/DAC: Ayon CD-35 (Preamp + Signature) + Finite Elemente Cerabase compact
– Network player: Lumin U2 Mini + Omicron Magic Dream Classic + I-O Data Soundgenic HDL-RA4TB
– Digital source selector: Audio Authority 1177
– Integrated amplifier: Vitus Audio RI-101 MkII
– Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Contour 30 + Brass Spike Receptacle Acoustic Revive SPU-8 + Base Audio Quartz platforms
– IC RCA: Furutech FA-13S; phono NEO d+ RCA Class B Stereo + Ground (1m)
– IC XLR: Organic Audio; Vermöuth Audio Reference; Furutech DAS-4.1
– Digital IC: Fadel art DigiLitz; Harmonic Technology Cyberlink Copper; Apogee Wyde Eye; Monster Cable Interlink LightSpeed 200
– USB cables: Wireworld Starlight; Fidata HFU2; Vermöuth Audio Reference
– Speaker cables: Signal Projects Hydra + SHUBI Custom Acoustic Stands MMS-1
– Power cables: Furutech FP-3TS762 / FI-28R / FI-E38R; Organic Audio Power + Furutech CF-080 Damping Ring; Acoustic Zen Gargantua II; Furutech Nanoflux Power NCF; Esprit Audio Alpha
– Power distribution board: Furutech e-TP60ER + Furutech FP-3TS762 / Fi-50 NCF(R) /FI-50M NCF(R)
– Wall power socket: Furutech FT-SWS(R)
– Anti-vibration platform: Franc Audio Accessories Wood Block Slim Platform
– Switch: Silent Angel Bonn N8 + Silent Angel S28 + Silent Angel Forester F1 + Luna Cables Gris DC
– Ethernet cables: Neyton CAT7+; Audiomica Anort Consequence + Artoc Ultra Reference + Arago Excellence; Furutech LAN-8 NCF; Next Level Tech NxLT Lan Flame
– Table: Solid Tech Radius Duo 3
– Acoustic panels: Vicoustic Flat Panels VMT

Opinion 2

I am quite confident that going against conspiracy theories of all kinds of audio-voodoo chasers, all music lovers interested in getting the best sound from their systems know, that and Ethernet cable can have an influence on the final sound of the device using it. And if so, it is just natural, that there is a vast offering of such cables is available on the market. The individual solutions use different materials for the conductors, for their isolation, used connecting accessories or, like in the case of the tested cable, different proprietary filters. What is the purpose of that? As usual, to be able to satisfy different tastes and needs of the used setups, there is a plethora of different sound signatures to choose from. How does it look like in reality, you can check in our reviews of the Polish Next Level Tech NxLT Lan Flame or Synergistic Research Galileo SX Ethernet. This is why I will not spend too much time in the introductory chapter and will invite you to have a look at another product from this kind of cabling in the form of the Swedish AB-Tech REN cable, with a filtering section, kindly supplied to us by the Wroclaw based Audio Atelier.

Putting a few sentences together regarding the construction of the REN I need to mention, that the cable fulfills the criteria for Cat8 and is made from copper braid. Its setup bases on ideas from military and medical products, aimed at minimizing noise in the signal. Each twisted pair is surrounded by FETP aluminum foil. Such signal wires are then placed in thermoplastic material and then in a noise reducing tube and finally in a nicely looking, black sheath. The connectors are a proprietary design based on a pressure cast and equipped with high quality latches. Filtering is hidden in a rectangular, aluminum box placed in the middle of the cable, and its main part is full galvanic separation for the signal and mass. The cable is supplied to the customers in a sturdy, padded, plastic chest.

I will not beat around the bush and confess in the very beginning, that each kind of cleaning or conditioning of the signal – and it does not matter if is the audio signal or power – makes me uneasy. It usually comes at the expense of some loss of energy, ease and shine, if some data is removed together with the litter. In some cases this can be helpful – in systems which are hyperactive – but let us not fool ourselves, this is like curing one sickness with another. Unless this side effect is truly symbolic, even in systems so refined as mine it does not become a problem, but becomes an allowable change of the priorities of the sound reproduction. And that was the case with the tested AB-Tech cable. Immediately after plugging it in I caught it on a minimal interference with the shine of the sound, but to my positive surprise, on the other pole, the energy jumped up, as if we would turn the volume knob up. Initially I thought that I am trying to explain the tested cable with those changes in impulse strength, but it turned out, that the effect I heard is consistent, and was confirmed with subsequent switches. It was quite evident, as the positive changes were audible, despite slight attenuation of the overall signal. The latter change is probably the result of the filter, separating galvanically the signal and ground, but it did not matter, because the music was still full of life, just slightly differently shining. And I was listening music beginning with heavy metal from self-titled Black Sabbath to songs to Sybilla interpreted by the late wife of Jordi Saval Montserat Figueras “El Cant De La Sybil-La”. Completely different climates, which would seem to require different approaches during changes in the stereo setup, and yet both rock and sacred music gained with the implementation of the REN in the sound path. In the first case all the instruments gained body, and with that became much more palpable, in the second case, the cable brilliantly amplified the expressiveness of the mystical phrases, often sung by the artist at full lung capacity and reaching the ceiling of the monastery. Two worlds and two successes. How is this at all possible? In my opinion the key to that is the increase of energy, full of information, which, even in the moment of slight softening of the upper registers, nicely enhanced the most important aspects of the reproduced music increasing the plasticity of the sound. This was so competently handled, that after a dozen minutes, the described nuance in the treble became marginal. And you should know, that my electronics is nothing to fool around, so this was a positive surprise.

Will the tested cable do a good job in each and every setup? It will probably not be able to satisfy hundred percent of them, because there are many different setups in the wild, some really overheated. But if there is one, which does not cross over the threshold of good taste, then you should try the AB-Tech REN, as it does not make the sound heavy with an undefined, rounded mass, but just feeds us with a well-defined, dense impulse. This gives us a big chance that it will be a good match for years to come. Yes, for years, as it is really a nicely sounding cable.

Jacek Pazio

System used in this test:
Source:
– transport: CEC TL 0 3.0
– streamer: Lumin U2 Mini + switch Silent Angel Bonn N8
– DAC: dCS Vivaldi DAC 2.0
– Master clock: Mutec REF 10 SE-120
– reclocker: Mutec MC-3+USB
– Shunyata Research Omega Clock
– Shunyata Sigma V2 NR
– Preamplifier: Gryphon Audio Pandora
– Power amplifier: Gryphon Audio Apex Stereo
– Loudspeakers: Gauder Akustik Berlina RC-11 Black Edition
– Speaker cables: Furutech Nanoflux-NCF Speaker Cable
IC RCA: Hijiri Million „Kiwami”, Vermouth Audio Reference
IC XLR: Tellurium Q Silver Diamond, Hijiri Milion „Kiwami”, Siltech Classic Legend 880i
Digital IC: Hijiri HDG-X Milion
Ethernet cable: NxLT LAN FLAME
Power cables: Hijiri Takumi Maestro, Furutech Project-V1, Furutech NanoFlux NCF, Furutech DPS-4.1 + FI-E50 NCF(R)/ FI-50(R), Hijiri Nagomi, Vermouth Audio Reference Power Cord, Acrolink 8N-PC8100 Performante, Synergistic Research Galileo SX AC
– Table: BASE AUDIO 2
– Accessories: Harmonix TU 505EX MK II, Stillpoints ULTRA SS, Stillpoints ULTRA MINI, antivibration platform by SOLID TECH, Harmonix AC Enacom Improved for 100-240V, Harmonix Room Tuning Mini Disk RFA-80i
– Power distribution board: POWER BASE HIGH END
– Acoustic treatments by Artnovion
Analog stage:
– Drive: Clearaudio Concept
– Cartridge: Essence MC
– Phonostage: Sensor 2 mk II
– Eccentricity Detection Stabilizer: DS Audio ES-001
– Tape recorder Studer A80

Distributor: Audio Atelier
Manufacturer: AB-Tech
Price: 1 100€ / 0,5-2m; 1 400€ / 2,5 – 4m