The Granite Audio Silver Dasher No. 470 Interconnect

Specifications

22-gauge, 99.9999% pure silver, Slow-Drawn Pure Silver (SDPS), continuous-cast crystal formation, 100% optimized shielding with both continuous foil and silver braid.
RCAs: hard-gold over silver, over copper (WBT-0101 Topline RCA).
Price: US$600/0.5 meter pair, $950/meter pair, $1,075/1.5 meter pair.
Custom length & termination: US$450 per meter pair plus $300 RCA or XLR connectors.

Granite Audio
824 South Mill Avenue, Unit 88
Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Phone: 480-829-8374
Web: www.graniteaudio.com
E-Mail: info@graniteaudio.com

To test Granite Audio’s interconnect, I connected it to a CD player and an integrated amplifier. Immediate impression: It is one of a few pure silver high-quality cables the performance of which satisfies me. The cable will be available on the world market for US$600 per 0.5m pair.

Geometry

Listening

I found the Granite Audio No. 470 neutral and natural. Dave Grusin’s album sounded just the way I like it. The bass was deep and under control. The space and detail of Scott Henderson’s compositions were just great. I would be a fool to expect any better from my midline system. The flute of “Fascinating Rhythm” was truly reproduced. I always play this number when I’m testing devices, many of which have failed.

The piano sounds as it should. The clarinet in “Prelude” was another proof of the No. 470’s quality. Dave Weckl’s percussion instruments can be compared to a cherry on top of cream. Grusin’s album was marvelously reproduced, full of body and soul. Even the tiniest cymbal sound was fascinating. I played John Pattifuccie’s “How Long Has This Been Going on” to test the double bass. Again, superb. By the way, John Pattitucci and Brian Bromberg are my favorite double bass players. It’s a shame that I have only one of Brian’s solo albums. Vibrato and various string buzzing sounded authentic, likewise vibraphone and percussion. To judge the sound of the deepest double bass, I played Bob James’ “Playin’ Hooky,” a good exercise for the loudspeakers. The deep bass was faithfully controlled. The trumpets sound lovely in the duet with vibraphone.

The Suk Chamber Orchestra’s performance of J.S. Bach’s Concerto for violin, oboe, string orchestra and continuo, BWV 1060, emphasized the Granite strongest qualities. I further concentrated on the Adagio, where the oboe has a chat with the violin, with the rest of the ensemble doing fine on the background. The violin and strings in the Alessandro Marcello’s Concerto for Oboe sounded marvelous. I ended up sitting back and putting off the search for subtle distinctions and immersed myself in the beautiful, sad melody.

Finally, I tested Tuck Andress’s guitar. His fascinating technique is admirable. This super dynamic record from Windham Hill helped me to distinguish the smallest differences in sound. How did Granite Audio cope with Tuck’s guitar? No problem!

My Mid-Level System
An integrated amplifier, Cairn 4807 / 2*60Watt – 8 Ohm.
CD player – Kenwood 7090.
Energy Connoisseur – C2 stand-loudspeakers and a prototype floorstanders – Protagonist with Audax aerogels and Scan-Speak tweeters.
Mission speaker stands filled with lead shots (app. 30 kg/piece).
AC Filtering – OK Technik FP10-SF (Czech made).
Van den Hul – Clearwater loudspeakers cables 2*2m.

The Music

Dave Grusin, The Gerschwin Connection.
Victor Bailey, Low Blow.
Ralph Towner and Gary Peacock, A Closer View.
Bob James, Playin’ Hooky.
Mighty Sam McClain, Give Me Up To Love.
Johnny Adams, One Step In The Blues.
Tuck Andress, Reckless Precision.
Arild Andersen and Cikada String Quartet, Hyperborean.
Spyro Gyra, Got the Magic.
Lary Coryel, I Will Be Over You.
Bach/Vivaldi/Marcello, Violin and Oboe Concertos; Soloists, Jan Adamus, oboe; Josef Suk,- violin; Suk Chambers Orchestra, Josef Vlach conducting.

Tweaks
Diorit load slabs ( 9 kg ) on top of the CD player;
Diorit slabs (15 kg ) under the loudspeakers;
Cable and connector maintenance solutions ProGold and Deoxit of Caig Labs company.

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