Opinion 1

There is no need to make anyone aware of the murderous competition, and thus natural selection, in the audio industry. Therefore, it should not be surprising that both the extremely dynamic fluctuations of entities trying to stay afloat and a significant part of them similar to Ephemeroptera do not have very impressive vitality. It is not an art to spend years poring over an original project to finally make it in the form of a single prototype or a few copies, but to maintain repeatability, ensure availability and gradually expand the portfolio. Therefore, out of the seemingly countless domestic manufacturers of audiophile cables, it is actually possible to distinguish three players that meet the above-mentioned criteria – Albedo from Bydgoszcz, operating since 1996, Audiomica from Gorlice, debuting on the market in 2007, and the youngest of the above-mentioned entities and at the same time the cause of today’s confusion – WK Audio from Plichtów, established in 2017. Interestingly, we started our adventure with the cables braided by Witold Kamiński, who is the man behind this project, with TheAir power cables. What is so interesting about it? For example, the fact that TheAir was created for specific plugs, in this case the topline 50 from Furutech, and not, as is usually the case, the other way around, when you first make/design the cable and only then choose the terminations for it in accordance with the company’s policy. In short, the methodology is turned on its head and the effect is excellent. And so it somehow turned out, that with more or less regularity the wires from city of Łódź suburbia appear in our house, each time proving that TheAir was not an accident, but the culmination of these arduous activities. That is why, with genuine enthusiasm, we agreed to the proposal to take a closer look at and listen to the next, after the speaker and the power cables, representative of the TheRay series in the form of WK Audio TheRay XLR interconnects, to which test we now cordially invite you.

According to the information provided by the manufacturer, the cables shown in the photos above are a more noble version of TheRay called Exclusive. This is only evidenced by the plugs, which in the above-mentioned option is a set of the top CF-601M R NCF / CF-602F R NCF plugs from Furutech. However, if someone does not believe in the salutary influence of audio-jewelry (yet), they can save 300€ and opt for the Basic version with FP-601M R/ FP-602F R plugs from the same manufacturer. As for the rest, everything is the same drop for drop, i.e. consistent with the layout of the series. We are therefore dealing with a blue external protective braided sheath, elegant, decorated with company logos and model markings, satin aluminum sleeves reducing the diameter of the wires and a softly padded wooden box (if you are interested, please refer to the unboxing session) in which the cables reach the end user.
As for the anatomy of the eponymous connectors, this time our „licentia poetica” based on fragmentary information will give way to the declaration of their creator. And so, „Similarly to the top TheRed series, TheRay interconnects are also an absolutely original construction made 100% by hand and based on unique solutions and selected materials. Their design was based on both the experience gained while working on the top TheRed series, as well as many materials used in the above-mentioned series. The selection of the optimal geometry of the cable was treated with great care, matching it to the conductors used, because the signal wires were made of pure silver, which was supplemented with silver-plated copper and copper of very high purity.”

Apart from the organoleptic and aesthetic values, the key issue is how the tested interconnects „sound”, or sticking to the facts, how their appearance in the system affected the sound of the system. And it had an indisputable effect, because following the example of their loudspeaker siblings, also the XLRs consider it appropriate to liberate and release the energy and resolving potential of the electronics connected to them, and to oxygenate / ventilate the stage thoroughly. So we get a truly explosive mixture of drive, openness and precision, but without even the slightest sign of dryness or antiseptic analyticalism. If you were stubborn, the above observations could be attributed to the silver arteries transmitting electrons, if it were not for the fact that it is in vain to look for stereotypical thinning, slimming, or even glassiness that are usually attributed to silver-based wires. Since even the high registers, which are expanded on „’Round M: Monteverdi Meets Jazz” by Roberta Mameli do not cause the enamel on the teeth to crack, and the fiery riffs of Kiko Loureiro („Theory of Mind”) and Bumblefoot („… Returns!”) do not jerk the synapses as furiously as a screeching Chihuahua our trouser legs, then any fears of silver can be safely considered unfounded. WK-audio emphasizes only the crystal clarity of the soprano and the juiciness of the guitar parts, allowing them to sound to the limits of the speakers and the range of our hearing, giving full insight into the recording and the highest quality pleasure of reception. Just to be clear. Lovers of caramel sticky sweetness and amber gold of the setting sun are asked to be more vigilant, because although the shine of the upper registers of TheRay cannot be denied, as well as natural – citrus sweetness, they operate closer to silver neutrality than golden saturation.
That is why both the wonderfully rocking „Blues To The Bone” and the overly smoothed, or even sugar-coated „All The Way” by Etta James sound so fresh and with a truly holographic palpability. In fact, they are irrefutable proof of what (supposedly) Etta herself declared after getting acquainted with the soundtrack to „Cadillac Records”. Well, the rumor has it that she questioned the sense of hiring Beyoncé at the time, because she stated with disarming honesty that she could successfully sing her hits. And I dare to say, that WK Audio does not so much confirm these declarations, but makes them credible, showing in black and white, that these were not idle boasting of an aged Diva, but a common sense and surprisingly objective assessment of her own vocal abilities. With the Polish interconnect we get such a powerful dose of realism, with full articulation, reproduction of the power of the emission, or even subconscious facial expressions, that as long as the sound engineer did notjust come to work instead of really working, the feeling of participating in the recording session is guaranteed.
The bass is youthfully springy and compact („The Law of Augmenting Returns” by The Omnific), which does not prevent it from venturing into areas reserved only for a select few. It is enough (at your own risk) to reach for „Hold Me Down” by Murkury to see for yourself and on the nerves of your neighbors how hellishly low and with which phenomenal energy the Plichtów interconnects are able to go. Ok, it’s not them that „are going down”, but full-range (I sincerely apologize to mini-monitor owners, but this does not concern you) speakers driven by an appropriate amplifier, but the fact remains – with most of the competing cables we may not even be aware of what our system can do in this domain. And TheRay can exhume the not so much dormant, but usually deeply (on the verge of hibernation) hidden potential and breathe into it a powerful charge of life-giving energy.

And what else could I write more about the WK Audio TheRay XLR than what I already put on to the virtual paper above? Probably just that once again Witek managed to prove, that even without having a powerful research background, but only based on successively gained experience and dozens, if not hundreds, of experiments, he managed to design and make a cable that could confidently be considered … outstanding. In addition, they „get along” with their speaker siblings so perfectly, that they question the sense of further searches. However, please put the above declaration in delicate quotation marks, because even in the portfolio of WK Audio itself there is an even more noble TheRed series, which is also not in the habit of taking prisoners. However, focusing on our today’s heroines and looking at them through the prism of the quality/price relationship, it is extremely difficult to pass by them indifferently.

Marcin Olszewski

System used in this test:
– CD/DAC: Vitus SCD-025mkII + 2 x Quantum Science Audio (QSA) Blue Fuse
– Network player: Lumïn U2 Mini + Farad Super3 + Omicron Magic Dream Classic; I-O Data Soundgenic HDL-RA4TB
– Turntable: Denon DP-3000NE + Denon DL-103R
– Phonostage: Tellurium Q Iridium MM/MC Phono Pre Amp
– Digital source selector: Audio Authority 1177
– Integrated amplifier: Vitus Audio RI-101 MkII + Quantum Science Audio (QSA) Violet fuse
– Loudspeakers: AudioSolutions Figaro L2 + Solid Tech Feet of Balance + ZenSati Zorro jumpers
– 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; Vermöuth Audio Reference USB; ZenSati Zorro
– Speaker cables: WK Audio TheRay Speakers + 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)
– Switch: Quantum Science Audio (QSA) Red + Silent Angel S28 + Farad Super6 + Farad DC Level 2 copper cable
– Ethernet cables: In-akustik CAT6 Premium II; Audiomica Laboratory Anort Consequence, Artoc Ultra Reference, Arago Excellence; Furutech LAN-8 NCF; Next Level Tech NxLT Lan Flame
– Anti-vibration platform: Franc Audio Accessories Wood Block Slim Platform
– Table: Solid Tech Radius Duo 3
– Acoustic panels: Vicoustic Flat Panels VMT

Opinion 2

I have written this more than once or twice, that I am always happy to meet results of the Polish technical thought. And it does not matter what group of customers it is addressed to, and in which segment it operates, because the most important thing is the fact that Poland is no longer a backwater of the world, but a strong player in the very demanding audio market. There are many examples to confirm this state of affairs, but in the natural course of things, referring to the hero of today’s test, I would like to remind you that one of the most dynamic representatives of this piece of the market is the WK Audio brand. Insiders certainly know, that although it offers an anti-vibration platform for electronics, the main core of its business is cabling. What kind of cabling? I will not make a list, because you will find everything using a search engine, but I declare that starting with network cables, through signal cables, to loudspeaker cables, the offering is extensive. And most importantly for us, each new product lands with us for a test session. So what has arrived this time? Well, it is a kind of supplement to the TheRay line with power and loudspeaker cabling, onto which we have already had a look at twice before, and it is the WK Audio TheRay XLR signal cable provided to us directly by the manufacturer from Plichtów.

Following the manufacturer’s information on the construction of the title guest, we know that the idea for the internal construction and the materials used were taken from the top TheRed series, which, after a past meeting with the latter, allows us to assume that, colloquially speaking, things will happen. When it comes to the signal conductor, we are dealing with pure silver. However, this is not the only metal in this design, as it also includes half-products based on silver-plated copper and plain high-purity copper. As you can see, there is a lot going on. However, not without reason, because according to the brand’s owner, such a material conglomerate, together with the proprietary, complex and 100 percent handmade internal weave, is supposed to give maximum openness of the sound of the system, while avoiding the frequently occurring effect of harmful brightening, sharpness and a grayness, which is boring in the long run. So by deciding on it, we are supposed to get the right energy, drive and the full momentum of the sound. Whether this is the case, will become clear later in the test, but in my opinion there are good chances for it, because the plugs in TheRay are the top products of the Japanese Furutech, which are well known to me from my speaker cables. The complete interconnect is packed in an elegant, padded with profiled sponge, wooden box.

How did our tested hero perform? Well, I cannot write anything else, than to confirm the fact announced by the manufacturer, that when the system is playing with the title cable in the sound path, has a good drive and freedom in the domain of the size of the virtual stage. The music was teeming with life and appropriate commitment to show the joy contained in it. Strong bass smoothly transitioned into a saturated midrange, which, interestingly, was very well illuminated by minimally plasticized – compared to what I have every day – treble. But I would like to point out, that this effect occurred at the level of nuances, rather than brutal exaggeration of the presentation, which meant that both in my and the test configuration I received a full package of, not only excellently presented, but also drawing me into the whirlwind of events with ease. The music created in the ether of the test session simply had a delicate aftertaste of unobtrusive, far from averaging the sound, plasticity. By the way, in this case, it was also nicely used, because using this sonic trick, the midrange sounded very favorably. On one hand, it is slightly pushed forward, but on the other, it automatically becomes more tangible. Just to make sure we understand each other correctly, the general perception of such a state of affairs was not something like a forceful increase in emotions, but like taking half a step forward towards the virtual stage and the events taking place on it.
The effect of the described presentation was so successful that it did not have the slightest impact on showing the artistry of work, or the good implementation of the effect of this work of the excellent Bobo Stenson trio during the recording of the music project „Cantando”. The point is, that thanks to the good presentation of each touch of the instruments followed by an excellent resonance of interaction on the endless stage, I was able to satisfy each of my two alter egos – a music lover and an avid audiophile. For me, these two spheres of communing with music, any music, even rock, are very important components of ideal reception and I was glad that the signal cable from WK Audio easily combined both into one interesting whole. I must admit that hearing the aesthetics of the treble at the beginning, I was a bit afraid of this type of material. Meanwhile, as I mentioned, the action for the sake of a gentle soothing of the sound in the highest frequency range was only a different, yet still a very good point of view on the same material, and not its worse version. When the sound impulse brought to life was supposed to shine, it did. When, a moment later, I was about to be moved by the energy of the kick drum, the air in the listening room was appropriately mixed. There was no time for boredom or monotony, only observation of the instrumental performances planned by the musicians.
Metallica also got through the listening session without any problems with the album „Kill’em All”. It played strongly in the bass, where the drums reigned supreme, and aggressively in the middle during guitar and vocal displays, but this time in a very positive, and even desirable way, the whole thing was embellished with a pleasantly smooth treble. No, it did not kill its expression, it just prevented unpleasant artifacts caused by poor realization from being amplified. It was still a full-blown metal band, only served in a minimally – with a strong emphasis on the word „minimally” – more digestible way. On one hand, it was a slightly surprising experience, and on the other, it was a very interesting experience.

Where would I place the title WK Audio TheRay XLR interconnect? I will say this. My system is dark and offers a strong flash of the upper range, and yet our hero coped with everything without any problems. I assure you that it is quite a difficult material. Therefore, based on this experience, I see only one group of adepts of our game who may have a bit of an uphill battle. It is the eulogists of the search for the extremely fast increase of the signal and the professional transparency of the transmission above all else. Of course, I am talking about lovers of music presented in the aesthetics of the proverbial „flying razor blades in the ether”. The rest of the music lover population has a full-blooded green light in my opinion. This is because the cable from Plichtów will provide the system with the right dose of controlled energy, will allow the music to fill the entire room without restraint, and the mentioned smoothness of the treble will not be any kind of averaging of the sound, but something like a skillfully used spice.

Jacek Pazio

System used in this test:
Source:
– CD Player/DAC: Gryphon Ethos
– streamer: Lumin U2 Mini + switch Quantum Science Audio (QSA) Red-Silver
– 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”, Furutech DAS-4.1
Digital IC: Hijiri HDG-X Milion
Ethernet cable: NxLT LAN FLAME
USB cable: ZenSati Silenzio
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: Quantum Science Audio Red fuse; QSA Silver fuse; Synergistic Research Orange fuse; antivibration platform by SOLID TECH; Harmonix AC Enacom Improved for 100-240V
– Power distribution board: POWER BASE HIGH END, Furutech NCF Power Vault-E
– Acoustic treatments by Artnovion
Analog stage:
– Drive: Clearaudio Concept
– Cartridge: Dynavector DV20X2H
– Phonostage: Sensor 2 mk II
– Eccentricity Detection Stabilizer: DS Audio ES-001
– Tape recorder: Studer A80

Manufacturer / Polish distributor: WK Audio
Prices (Europe & USA only)
WK Audio TheRay XLR Basic (Furutech FP-601M R/ FP-602F R): 3 000 € /1,5m
WK Audio TheRay XLR Exclusive (Furutech CF-601M R NCF / CF-602F R NCF): 3 300 € /1,5m