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While the wire in both the Indra and the Sakra is the same, Sakra has Helium as a dielectric (while Indra doesn’t), and geometry of the assembled cable (cross-section) is different in the Indra and the Sakra – resulting in different sonic presentation)
After many listening sessions, with different equipment, we know that two Sakra cables can be successfully used together (i.e. one Sakra from the source to the preamp, and another Sakra from the preamp to the power amp(s) – while this is not true with all Indra revisions (Indra is a vivid cable, and two Indra is often too much for most systems; for the best overall balance, we recommend the Indra on the source, and the Nanofiber from preamp to power amp);
The new Indra V10 offer more “subjective weight” and “body” to the presentation, compare to previous Indra revisions (while the top end transparency and openness is the same), but we do not yet have sufficient data to recommend two Indra in a row for most systems.
In general, the most difficult task in analog interconnects design is to offer the best bass possible, with a lot of subjective “body” – while keeping the midrange and treble openness and extension.
Sakra is the only cable known to us which offers both.
Making corrections and improvements to the original Indra designs, we do try to shift it to the desired direction (ideal), and the new Indra V10 is closer to that “ideal” than the previous Indra, but no matter how good the new Indra V10 is, we still feel that the Sakra is still a better cable for the best, well overall sonically balanced systems (“neutral” components);
However, for many “lean” systems, Indra may be a better choice – because of its vivid presentation (the overall sound with dark or lean systems will be better with the Indra);
Thank you
Serguei Timachev
Director of Engineering,
Interlink House L.L.P.
STEALTH Audio Cables
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Dear Perry:
Here's the latest write-up on the cables break-in subject:
1. In general, the better a cable, and the more sophisticated its design, the longer it takes to break in fully. This applies to all cables, regardless of brand name, construction, etc. I have head cables changing their sound up to 500 hours of use and beyond. Normally, any cable improves as it breaks in. Some cables improve slightly, some improve dramatically - it varies depending on the cable type, and IS system-dependent - which means that it is difficult to predict how much improvement is expected after the cables break in.
2. However, a good cable in its "raw" form - i.e. right out of a box, without any break in - often (but not always!!!) sounds better than inferior cable that has been in a system for a long time... In general, break in or cryogenic treatment helps, but it's no substitute for a better design.
In general, when evaluating cables, I recommend installing a pair of cables into a system which has been the same (no changes, cables or components) for at least two weeks, and "in use" - i.e. you would remember well how the system sounds as it is. When a new pair of cables is installed in a system, you let the cables "settle in" for a couple of days, and listen. In about two weeks after the installation, the new cables can be usually considered broken-in in a particular system, and the system with new cables is ready for critical listening.
Getting new cables, installing them and A/B comparing them with other cables is NOT a way to do cables evaluation. The cable differences are often subtle, and cables need to settle in a system to sound the way they should. Yes, sometimes the difference is clear right out of the box, and it becomes even greater as the cables break in. But this is true in no more than 50% of all cases. Sometimes a new cable can sound quite disappointing at the beginning, and it's important not to draw immediate conclusions. It is usually wise to "live" with a component (or a set of fine cables) for some time and develop personal relationships with it; and in addition, because of the break-in, it's not recommended to do any critical listening sooner than two weeks after installing the cables in a system. Of course you are welcome to listen during this time - but try to delay finalizing your impression until the appropriate time - because it might be, and often is, quite different from what you hear right out of the box.
3. All STEALTH cables require about TWO days of INITIAL break-in after the installation to show their "sound character" - before that time, no critical listening or evaluation is possible or advisable: no matter how good the sound might be, the cables are not at their full potential. During 7 to 10 days after the initial break-in, sound becomes progressively smoother and more natural. Usually, in approximately TWO WEEKS after the installation, cables are ready for critical listening. Please note that in order to perform their best, STEALTH INTERCONNECT cables should "settle" in a particular system, and therefore cables should be broken-in on the very same system with the very same components used for critical listening! If a cable is disconnected or used with other components, it might be necessary - for the best sound - to start the break in process from the very beginning... According to the STEALTH cables designer CURRENT point of view, the break-in process in cables mostly deals with the "ground potential differences" in the components used - that's why it's recommended to break in the cables with the same components that will be used for critical listening. It may appear strange, but cables do break in ( a bit more slowly) with just equipment in "on" position powered) even with no music or any signal passing through!... So, it's not strictly necessary to play something all the time. Just keep your equipment "on" and play something once in a while... if you wish, you can even leave tubes in "stand by" position (with partial heater and anode voltages applied) if your equipment has this mode...
Using commercial "cable-cooking" devices is possible with STEALTH silver cables (bit not PGS or the Indra or the Sakra!!!!!!) , but please don't count on a more speedy "break-in" compare to the above mentioned process:-)
Serguei Timachev,
Engineering,
Interlink House, L.L.P.
