Hifi Tuning, Bals and Kupp Schuko connectors compared
Schuko connectors compared part 1: Kupp, Bals and Hifi Tuning Gold II
All connectors were tested in combination with their own same type Belden powercable, in each case provided with an imitation Oyaide gold plated IEC connector. Each cable was manufactured in the same way, plugged in for same phase and burned in the same duration. During testing only one cable at a time was connectod, each time in the same position of the extensionblock. A Wadia 861 cd player was used as a source, which was well-run in and kept warm at all times.
Top left to right: Kupp, Hifi Tuning and Bals (notice the similarity between Hifi Tuning and Bals?)
Connectors under review:
-Kupp (rubber) (6 euro)
-Bals 73 (12 euro)
-HiFi Tuning Gold II (24k Gold) (28 euro)
Above: Bals 73
Sound
First connector to judge was the well know and much used Kupp. Familiar sound, nothing wrong with that. Or so I thought. Then I swapped for the cable with the Bals connector. Surely this would be about nuances, right? Wrong! The difference was very obvious. A thick metallic layer was removed, revealing a much more natural, organic sound. Everything was a lot more supple but not at the expense of openness, speed or detail. The highs were still very open and airy, but no longer brittle and now way more natural. And interestingly in spite of the polished sound, not once was this connector sounding boring. Going back to the Kupp was like torture for the ears. I now know that it has a very unnatural emphasized high frequency range.
Above: Hifi Tuning Gold II
Now it was time for the Hifi Tuning Gold II schuko. Again the high frequencies became more natural, better differenciated, and so does the midband. There is more room for tiny sounds to develop instead of them being crammed against each other. This connector is even more natural and less electronic than the Bals, on which it is based. There’s more romance in the air! Apparently the gold coating does have a large effect. But the sound is also less “spectacular” or powerful, and a little less explicit in the highest highs.
Conclusion
The Kupp connectors really aren’t fit for use in a high resolution audio setup. Especially not in a setup such as mine, which has Martin Logan electrostatics. On these speakers the edginess of the Kupp is way too obvious. In specific setups however, that tend to the dark or are less open and forward, the Kupp can still be fine. Just look out for any edginess, as this could be caused by the connector. The Bals is a very fine quality connector at a very friendly price and this connector in principle just has no flaws. The Hifi Tuning Gold II is the better connector but it has to be applied carefully. Use it only if your setup has sufficient clarity and you’re searching for more naturalness, not spectacle.
Some advice
When replacing connectors, try not to do them all at once. Balance is everything in audio and it’s all too easy to shift the sound too much in one direction. For example, your setup may even need the extra edge of the Kupp if you’ve unconsciously already compensated for its brightness in your system by other means.
Next
Schuko connectors compared Part 2
Very informing. I just ordered HiFi Tuning Gold II to use it instead of some obscure connector on my short Audio Agile Line.
On other Audio Agile Lines i have exactly the rubber Kupp connector! So you would exchange it against the Bals in any case? There is now new Bals connector. Is this also good like the former?
thnx
Yes, I would definitely swap the rubber Kupp for a regular Bals, it’s better in all aspects. The Gold-Plated HT version is smoother and warmer, but also less impactful and articulate. Good question about the new Bals models. I’ve not compared them yet. To be safe, I have obtained a stash from eBay just after they changed the model. If you make a comparison, do add your experiences here! I also aim to add a section to the article when I have time but lately, I have too many reviews on hand.
So i put the HiFi Tuning Gold II instead of Kupp, and out of the box, without burning in, yes, less aggressive than Kupp, but still fresh! No “golden brown” sound Lotsa highs (in positive sense), a bit slower in mids for now, just what i need – my sysem is super fast, Class D and all Switching powers supplies. 1st impression is that HiFi Tuning Gold II almost doesnt need burning in!
I also changed the other Bals for Cardas Connector – Rhodium over Copper. This is the 1st connector in the chain. This one sounded like it needs burning in. More fluid sound but more withdrawn, less bass. This is all with Audio Agile power blocks. I have the Cardas connector on my Cardas Clear cables, and there it works great, so i expect the sound to change after some burning in.
For now HiFi Tuning Gold II looks like its gonna stay! I hope the same for Cardas also.
Thanks for the feedback, Marek!