Thread: Sablon Audio Reserva Elite USB Cable! Merlin's Magic?

The following is my first impression of the Sablon 2017 Reserva USB Cable, data only. Since I did this first impression, Mark Coles of Sablon Audio has come out with an updated version for 2017, the 2017 Reserva Elite.
Mark makes both a data only version and a regular version for people that have a DAC that needs the power leg of the USB cable.
I plan on getting the new Elite data only and powered leg version in the next few weeks to use with my T+A DAC 8 DSD and Aqua Formula DAC. I will report my impressions once I have time with them.

This is only my experience and I have not tried all data only USB cables but have tried some of the better ones so YMMV.

I have tried many, but not all, of the better regarded USB Cables out there. Some as reasonable as $60 to $150 and others that cost over $1,000. (Though an Audiophile buddy uses one that goes for around $2,000 and he swears by it. I will at some point bring one of the Sablon Elite for him to try.)

For me at one point I liked the TotalDAC USB. Then I had the chance to try the Curious USB. Talk about how different they sound. It is like one is vanilla and the other is chocolate. One is more analog and tube like but I would not say the other is more SS, just more open and cleaner.

But after having both in my system for a while, I decided that the Curious brought more to the music. That is till I heard Sablons new 2017 Reserva USB Cable, data only.

I had heard all the hype from some users of the Sablon USB Cable about how this was the best thing since sliced bread (I never could figure why use sliced bread as the thing to beat, lol) and that its "magic" and Mark must be “Merlin the Magician” from one user. Oh please, wrong and wrong!! LOL

It is so MUCH better then sliced bread and it is definitely not "magic" because this is so very REAL sounding and no slight of hand involved.

Mark Coles is no wizard (he is better than a wizard) but he has done something very real and tangible with this new USB cable design of his. And that is what the music sounds like when using it. Very real and tangible.

The instruments have a lifelike sound to them and an almost reach out and touch them quality.
The noise floor is...well I cannot detect any noise. The background is...black, the noise floor…has no floor, it just seems to not end.
No notes are rounded or cut off, highs or lows. Highs are extended like they are in real life. Brass and horns have real dynamics but without that kind of bite that can be artificial. There is bite but the real type. Bass is full, deep, tight, in control. Not flabby, bloated, out of control or lacking depth.
Because of the lack of noise the dynamics are now on a different level then what other USB cables have done that I have experienced.
The transparency and resolving power is so much better but without being artificial or harsh. There is no spotlighting that I can detect.

I must say I cannot fathom what Marks new Elite will be like if all the good press is even half right.

As far as other USB cables that I have heard the Sablon 2017 Reserve has a more lifelike sound presentation, IMHO.

The Sablon USB Cable is MORE THERE THERE.

Mark, bring on the Elite!

Originally Posted by Devg

Apart from Curious and TotalDac, did you by any chance compare it with the Audience ?

I did not do a direct comparison to the Audience. But I have heard an Audience USB, not sure what model now.
I have heard many over the last few years, from the likes of MapleShade and Supra to Light Harmonic top cable, but not all brands.

As far as cost goes the Sablon is not cheap but it is also not expensive when you consider that many others are in the $1,000 range. I would consider it in the middle of the pack.

The none Elite version sells for $400 in the unpowered and $500 for the powered one. The Elite only comes in the unpowered version and is $650. All are +/- one meter.

Mark Coles of Sablon Cables likes to use cigar terms and this is his Panatela line. Here is the link. http://www.sablonaudio.com/index.php/panatela

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I HAVE NOT YET HEARD THE NEW ELITE. MARK HAS MADE IMPROVEMENTS TO HIS USB CABLES FOR 2017.

I hope this helps.

Hello hifial, thanks for the very interesting review. I’m not able to get the Sablon website to open. I have emailed them but still waiting for reply. Any explanation? Thanks.

@hifial, I totally agree with your comments. I have been using the Elite powered version for a while now and have to say it is in another league compared to the other USB cables I have tried so far. Actually, for the performance you get from the Sablon Reserva Elite it is good value compared with other top flight USB cables.