Unknown Speaker cable
Posted by: staffy on 11 July 2016
Whilst rummaging around in the attic like you do, I came across a set of phono cables, which are unused and brand knew. However the original packaging box is gone so I dont know anything about these cables. Other than they must be around 12 -15 years old.
They are marked with the name Neutrik Profi.
Just wondering if they would be good enough to connect up next month to a Chord 2Qute Dac I am thinking of buying.
Can anyone shed any light on this make of cable.
Neutrik Profi is the name of a type of RCA connector using a chuck type strain relief.
I think you'll find
- it is an interconnect, not speaker cable
- that's the name of the plug only. Googling would show you that's what Neutrik call the plug
- If the writing on the cable itself is dark and marked as 'klotz', then you have an original Rega Couple. It's a very capable cable indeed, though some might say it's a touch dry for their tastes. But in terms of resolution and timing it's really very good indeed, punching well above its weight.
If it doesn't say klotz on the cable then no idea. The plugs can be bought separately so you could have a DIY job.
Frank.
Frank Abela posted:I think you'll find
- it is an interconnect, not speaker cable
- that's the name of the plug only. Googling would show you that's what Neutrik call the plug
- If the writing on the cable itself is dark and marked as 'klotz', then you have an original Rega Couple. It's a very capable cable indeed, though some might say it's a touch dry for their tastes. But in terms of resolution and timing it's really very good indeed, punching well above its weight.
If it doesn't say klotz on the cable then no idea. The plugs can be bought separately so you could have a DIY job.
Frank.
Your absolutely correct Frank, it is an interconnect and not speaker cable. On looking closely at the interconnect I now see the words Rega and Klotz written on the sides in dark Green lettering. The plugs on the end seem to be spring loaded as you can push them in and if not needed they spring back.
I am buying a Chord 2 Qute in a few weeks and will use this to connect the Dac to the Nait XS. If any good it might save me money on buying new Chord Phono interconnect.
Thanks for you input.
I agree with Frank they are Rega Couple IC's. The advertising blurb sez "Designed by Klotz, the worlds foremost music processing cable manufacturer, the 'Couple' is double shielded and exhibits an extremely low capacitance of 70pF/meter
The Neutrik Profi plugs are one of the better designs from a few years ago (& still are) . I have them on my phono stage to amp IC's & find them extremely well made & robust. The sprung outer design is to make ground contact before signal to eliminate thumps if the leads are connected when the equipment is live, OK not a great idea to do that anyway, but thats whats its for.
The Rega Couple is a microphone cable with the low noise you'd expect from such a design. It is very good indeed. Nice one to have in the armoury. The newer Rega Couple 2 is white and loses the Neutriks in favour of Rega's own screw-tight design of RCA plugs. In direct comparisons between that and the older Couple, we'd suggest the compromise is swings and roundabouts with each having its own strengths and weaknesses. Both are microphone cables and have similar electrical attributes, but there is definitely a minor change in the presentation.
Frank.
Once I get the Dac I will let you know my findings on sound quality. I was also considering a phono to din interconnect from Witches Hat. I have heard members say this gives a better overall sound.
However I will wait until I try the Rega interconnect first. Thank you for your input.