Have you ever used Western Electric’s old cloth cables? There are a group of veteran audio fans in the audio industry who are fascinated by old WE cables from the 1940s, 1950s, and even the 1920s and 1930s. They play with old tube machines, old horns, old tubes and old cables. Is the old stuff better than the new stuff? This judgment is a matter of opinion, but, for that group of people, the old stuff is good.
I never believe this. I don’t believe that the old machine is better than the new machine, the old ba is better than the new ba, the old line is better than the new line, I don’t believe it. In my eyes, those who tout the old line of old machines, but it is just commercial hype, so the hype (a noise), the price will come up. The original no market, now there is a market, originally no one to buy, the price is now also rising. As for those who are convinced of this, whether he is following the wind blowing from the merchants or genuinely believe that those old things are good and better than modern products, in my opinion, are just cynics.
The impact of two events changed my prejudice about the old line
It wasn’t until two things happened that my perceptions changed. The first shocking education came from Das Klang’s threads. This thread company boasts of using old threads that they have collected from the 1950’s and rejuvenated them. I was amazed at the sound these old cables could make. No, I don’t think so. That’s the sound that naturally develops at both ends. Is there a problem with the dynamics? No, I don’t think so. It has an open and relaxed margin. Is there a problem with the tone? No, I don’t think so. The tone was natural and had a richness that no one could ever hope to achieve. I must say, it was a real education.
The second experience that made me rethink the value of the old stuff was when I visited Huizhong Audio myself and talked to Yiwei Tao, which forced me to bow to history. If he couldn’t find any old parts that fit, he would go to a parts manufacturer to order them, and he would make them according to the ancient method. His reason for using old parts is one: better than modern ones, more durable than modern ones. The wire he uses in the machine is also old, and a bundle of wire with shipping costs and taxes is close to $10,000. He said: “At that time, the wire used is virgin copper, unlike now many are recycled copper. I don’t believe what people I don’t know say, but I have to believe what Tao Yiwei says.
The old thread market is chaotic, be careful when buying
So I’m willing to use the old line now? If I get the chance to meet one and it’s really old, I’m willing and happy. If you’re looking for old thread, be aware that there are too many fakes on auction sites. No matter how much a seller of unknown origin or identity may say, please be careful and do not rush into it. Old threads are mostly wrapped in cotton, but not just any cloth thread is old. Rather not used, do not buy a fake still complacent, rather than the reasoning, you know.
An alternative to the old line – the new antique Luna Cables
However, you don’t have to look for something that’s been around for the last century. If someone recreated an old cable the old way, would you be interested? On the shores of Lake Memphrémagog in Quebec, Canada, there is a company that makes hand-made cables that are antique, but each one is made from new materials, even local materials. With an attitude of paying homage to the past and standing on the shoulders of their predecessors to surpass tradition, they make each cable by hand with the spirit of craftsmanship and respect for nature. This is Luna Cables.
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