KLEI gZero2 IC

KLEI gZero2 Interconnect Cable Review

KLEI gZero2 IC

Over the past year I've reviewed a majority of the products from
KLE Innovations and been pleasantly surprised, in that each successive item reviewed to date has achieved some very discernible improvements over its predecessor.

So when Keith Louis Eichmann (aka KL) asked me to review his
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect I was quite happy to do so, even though I thought the request a little odd.
  • After all, the KLEI gZero20 Interconnect was the last analogue model I reviewed and it just seemed like I was taking a step "backwards" to review a model that, from a performance perspective, is several levels below it.

However, I’ve learned that with most things from KL, they often turn out to be more rewarding than he would have you believe.

But this request was a little different - from KL’s “tone” he actually seemed quite excited.

So What’s So Special?

The
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect utilizes a revised gZero Architecture that has evolved from continual R & D efforts within the KLE Innovations camp.
  • The revised architecture has a designation "gZEROs" for "ground ZERO state"
  • which is basically a more advanced application of the original gZero Architecture.

Now, where many companies would have used this type of advance in product development to introduce a whole new line of products.
  • KL has decided to incorporate the new architecture into most of the existing models of the current product line,
  • Also, by restricting their product line to a very concise model range, reduces production costs, which in turn, is also a benefit to the customer.
  • this leads me to believe that he is more focussed on providing "real value" to his customer base.

And what's so different?

The
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect sports the same black nylon sleeving with the same KLEI Copper Harmony RCA plugs attached, just like the very first KLEI gZero2 Interconnect.
  • The only tell-tale sign of a product change is the slightly larger girth of the cable itself
  • and under the label bearing the KLE Innovations Logo, there is now a purple sleeve, in place of the previous blue sleeve.
  • It has also been re-packaged in a nice "Eminence Purple" bag Happy

On initial installation of the
KLEI gZero2 Interconnects I was immediately taken by a significantly more forward presentation of the image, i.e. when compared to most other gZero models having the old architecture.

Also, everything across the board sounded bigger, fuller and warmer and very much like the
previous/old KLEI gZero6 Interconnects, which I had found to be very enjoyable.

A Step Back in time...

To get an appreciation of just how well these interconnects were performing I reverted back to a pair of the
previous/old KLEI gZero6 Interconnect having the original gZero Architecture (still on loan from KLE Innovations) and to my surprise, the similarities were quite startling.

Here was the
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect performing almost to the same level as a sibling interconnect two levels above it in the product line.

The only real difference seemed to be that the
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect was not quite as adept at:
  • reproducing the details, dynamics and clarity, for instruments having an upper register that occupied the higher frequencies of the audio spectrum, such as violins, triangles and cymbals.
  • the reproduction of the micro details that contribute to the realistic presentation of the acoustics specific to a venue.

And Back to the present...

So it appears that at low and mid frequencies, the dynamic performance of the
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect has improved, providing more punch to drums and more slam to bass lines, but they do not quite possess that same level of detail, crispness and sparkle at the very top end.

Another area where I noticed a marginal difference (i.e. compared to the
previous/old KLEI gZero6 Interconnect) was in the spatial imaging...
  • as stated earlier, the KLEI gZero2 Interconnect seems to present an image that is more forward
  • the width of the image was, for the most part, unchanged
  • the depth of the image also seemed unchanged
  • so basically - the entire image now sounded closer to the listener

Closely related to imaging, another nice quality of the new architecture is the improved (i.e. lower) noise floor, which for me translates to enhanced clarity and hence a more precise image rendition.
  • I’ve often found that on orchestral tracks, where large numbers of instruments are in play, the overall presentation can become a little “muddled”
  • However, with the improvements in clarity, I found that they now sound much cleaner and I can now to listen to those tracks at louder volumes.

Another noticeable improvement was their bass performance.
  • bass response now reaches into the lower, almost subsonic frequencies, a significant improvement over earlier models
  • the textures of those low frequencies were nicely presented
  • but I didn’t find it quite as controlled as the previous/old KLEI gZero6 Interconnect, which is still very much a personal favourite from that perspective

In Summary...

The new
gZEROs Architecture has achieved some very significant improvements to the KLEI gZero2 Interconnect and has still managed to maintain the superb neutrality that the KLEi gZero product range has become renown for.

Some might consider comparing the
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect to the significantly more expensive previous/old KLEI gZero6 Interconnect, to be a little unfair?
  • The reality is - the sonic performance of these two interconnects is much closer than one might expect.


CONCLUSIONS...

The new
gZEROs Architecture, which will continue to be termed as gZero Architecture/Technology”, elevates the KLEI gZero2 Interconnect almost to the same level of performance as previous/old KLEI gZero6 model, which for me still has the edge in the areas of upper frequency extension, upper frequency dynamic performance, upper frequency clarity and imaging.

However, the
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect is fast, detailed, well controlled and spacious, with an improved clarity and an improved bass performance, that is very well controlled and drops “into the basement”.

As stated earlier, the new
gZEROs Architecture has been applied to all models from the KLEI gZero2 Interconnect upwards.
  • So, if the improvements observed in the KLEI gZero2 Interconnect are also present in their new gZero3, 6, 10 and 20 models, then I think KLE Innovations has just thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the industry.

They have introduced an architecture to an existing product line that has elevated the performance of the
KLEI gZero2 Interconnect and possibly each successive model and that's something most manufacturers will not even entertain, let alone put into practice!

Kudos to the KLE Innovations team, who seems to care about providing value to their customers - thank you.

My Review System:

  • Custom built turntable with a Soundsmith Denon DL103 phono cartridge mounted on and Audiomods Arm with one piece silver litz harness + KLEI Absolute®Harmony RCA’s

  • Simaudio MOON LP5.3 RS phono stage

  • iMac (Music Server)

  • Musical Fidelity V-Link192 USB/SPDIF Converter.

  • Schiit Bifrost USB DAC with UBER analogue upgrade and Version 2 USB interface Upgrade

  • NAIM 5i integrated amp (with passive pre-section).

  • Gershman Acoustics Sonogram speakers.

  • KLEI gZero6 Speaker Cables

  • KLEI gZero20 Interconnect Cables


page6_blog_entry61-page6_blog_entry60-page6_blog_entry52-page6_blog_entry40-two-thumbs-up-2 A highly recommended product!