Long user review regarding Crystal Cable Absolute and Infinite Liberty

patrick@wong

A Testament to Progress: Twenty Years with Crystal Cable, and the Stunning Leap to Liberty

For two decades, the names Crystal Cable and Siltech Cable have been more than just brands in my system; they have been the very conductors of my musical truth. The journey through their evolution has been a fascinating one, marked by a relentless pursuit of perfection that has consistently redefined what is possible in high-fidelity audio. The launch of a new product from this stable is always an event, but the arrival of the Absolute Liberty and Infinite Liberty cables is something far more significant.

It is not merely an iteration; it is a profound leap forward that has left this seasoned audiophile genuinely surprised and utterly delighted.

To fully appreciate this leap, one must understand the legacy upon which it is built. I vividly remember the launch of the Dream Duet and Double Duet cables eight years ago. They were revolutionary. Their sleek, flexible design was a stark departure from the bulky competitors, and their sound—a breathtaking combination of ethereal, lucid, speed, and musicality—took the head-fi and high-end communities by storm. The memory of their performance is still fresh in my mind; they were, and in many ways still are, spectacular cables.

The Absolute Liberty and Infinite Liberty are not just new products; they are the culmination of everything the company has researched. The philosophy remains unchanged: the unwavering belief in ultra-pure Solid Core Crystal Silver, the critical importance of insulation as a dielectric, and the pursuit of a perfect, interference-free signal path. What has changed is the execution, and the results are nothing short of transformative.


A Clear Evolution: From Duet to Liberty

Where the Dream Duet offered stunning clarity and detail but a bit lack of warmth, the new Liberty cables add profound layers of sophistication that I once thought were the domain of fantasy.

The Foundation of Absolute Liberty: 4-wire features four solid core infinite silver conductors arranged in a balanced configuration. This design enhances signal stability and noise rejection while maintaining a relatively slender profile. This cable immediately strikes you as the spiritual successor to the Duet line, but refined to an incredible degree. It retains that legendary Crystal Cable transparency and agility but introduces a new level of organic cohesion and density. The treble is even smoother, yet more extended. The midrange has greater body and texture, making vocals feel more present and tangible. The bass is tighter and goes deeper, offering a foundation that the Duet, for all its brilliance, could not quite muster. It is a masterclass in getting the fundamentals perfect.

The Infinite Liberty, however, is where the magic truly unfolds. 8-wire doubles the conductor count, employing eight solid core infinite silver conductors, often arranged in a complex geometry to further reduce electromagnetic interference and improve current delivery. This results in a thicker, more robust cable. This is where the incorporation of their latest advancements in dielectric technology create a performance gap that is immediately and thrillingly apparent. If the Dream Duet was a powerful spotlight on the performance, the Infinite Liberty removes the entire fourth wall of the concert hall.

The improvement in holographic imaging is the first thing that struck me. The soundstage is not just wide and deep; it has tangible height and a breathtakingly multi- layered presentation. Instruments are pinned in a three-dimensional space with an almost unnerving realism. The textural density across the entire frequency spectrum is a new benchmark. Notes have more weight, more body, and a richer harmonic structure. The treble isn't just detailed; it's luminous and graceful. The bass isn't just tight; it is authoritative and physical, reaching down with a control and impact that is truly new for the brand.

Most importantly, the seamless, fluid integration from the deepest bass to the highest treble is flawless. There is no "sound of a cable"; there is only the sound of the music, presented with a purity, dynamism, and emotional engagement that I have not experienced before from my system.

A New Legacy is Forged: A Symphony of Infinite Crystal Silver

In the rarefied world of high-end audio, Crystal Cable has long been synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship and a distinct, articulate sonic signature. Their latest offerings, the Absolute Liberty and the flagship Infinite Liberty, represent the culmination of years of research into metallurgy and dielectric materials. While both cables share a family resemblance, they cater to different tiers of the market and offer distinctly nuanced performances. This comparison delves into their sonic characters to uncover which might be the perfect conductor for your system.

Sonic Showdown:

1. High-Frequency Extension & Brilliance

· Absolute Liberty: The highs are simply stunning. They are exceptionally detailed, fast, and better extension without a hint of grain or harshness. The term "gorgeous" is apt here. There's a natural sweetness and a "lit-from-within" quality that makes cymbals shimmer with authentic texture and violins sing with effortless grace. It’s detailed yet never fatiguing. The artist’s ethereal vocals blended with a spatially diffused instrumentation, creating a transcendent auditory experience.

· Infinite Liberty: Takes the Absolute Liberty's brilliance and elevates it to another plane. The extension is even greater, reaching into the uppermost registers with more stability. The treble is not just detailed; it is luminous, possessing a weightier, more three-dimensional quality. It doesn't just reproduce a high-hat; it renders the exact strike, the shimmer, and the decay into the silence with breathtaking realism.


2. Midrange: Texture, Body, and Vocal Presence

· Absolute Liberty: The midrange is transparent, clear, and neutrally balanced. It doesn't add too much warmth or thickness but reveals the native character of the recording. Vocals are positioned precisely and sound natural and intimate. Female vocals gain an ethereal, breathy quality that is intimate and incredibly real. It leans towards accuracy rather than romanticism, offering excellent texture without excess body. The reverb effect made the vocals sound diffused, as if emanating from all directions. However, it achieves something brilliant is with magnetic male voices. The baritone of an artist is delivered with a texture and gravitas. The cable reproduces every nuance of the vibration and chest resonance with breathtaking clarity and emotional weight, without ever becoming muddy or overly warm.

· Infinite Liberty: This is where the 8 wires infinite silver cable works its magic. The midrange gains a palpable sense of density and richness. It is fuller and more textured, giving vocals and instruments a more physical, corporeal presence. A cello has more woodiness, a voice has more chest resonance. It remains utterly transparent but adds a layer of sophistication and body that makes the performance feel more complete and lifelike. The vocal position is slightly more forward and engaging, pulling the listener into the performance, the baritone voice is much more deeper and fuller.

3. Low-Frequency Performance: Depth & Substance

· Absolute Liberty: The bass is tight, fast, and well-defined. It offers excellent pitch definition and speed, making it ideal for complex, fast-paced music. The focus is on quality over sheer quantity. The "punch" is precise, but the very deepest sub-bass extension can feel slightly lean compared to its bigger brother.

· Infinite Liberty: The low end here is in a different league. The sublime depth and control are immediately apparent. It plunges deeper with greater authority, offering a foundation that is both powerful and incredibly articulate. The bass is "real" and physical, you feel the impact of a kick drum or the low note of a double bass. It is never bloated or slow; it is dense, fast, and perfectly integrated with the rest of the frequency spectrum.


4. Soundstage, Imaging, and 3D-Holography

Acoustic Space: It resolves the complex reverberations and reflections within a recording venue with stunning specificity. You're not just aware of the hall's size; you can pinpoint the reflections from specific surfaces.

· Absolute Liberty: Presents a wide and impressively deep soundstage for its class.

Instrument placement is precise and stable. The soundstage expands in all directions—width, depth (perform less than Infinite Liberty), and most notably, height—creating a vast, cathedral-like acoustic. The imaging is excellent, allowing you to pinpoint musicians within the acoustic space. It has very good layering and a convincing sense of depth. The symphony filled the hall with an expansive sound that seemed to reach every corner and expansive pads and haunting melodies that dissolve into the air. It doesn’t just reproduce a piano sound; it presents the Steinway sound— capturing the immense weight of the wooden body, the shimmering decay of the upper registers, and the authoritative, resonant thunder of the lower keys. The attack of the hammer on the string, the resonant decay of the note, and the immense wooden body of the instrument are presented with such life-like clarity and dynamism that it feels less like listening and more like witnessing. The presentation is not just accurate; it is thoroughly and vividly conveyed.

· Infinite Liberty: This cable is a master of space. This system delivers a breathtakingly wide and deep soundstage with pinpoint imaging. The layering is so good that you can clearly hear the distant echo of the choir behind the forward-placed lead singer, creating a truly holographic and immersive experience. The imaging is razor-sharp, and the sense of layering is exceptional. Instruments are not just placed in a black background; they exist in a fully realized 3D holography with palpable air around them. The depth of field is remarkable, allowing you to easily discern the rows of performers from the front to the very back of the stage. The surround sound created an enveloping atmosphere in the room. However, the 8-wire cable presents a different load to the amplifier. It requires more power and current to truly shine and reach its full potential compared to the Absolute Liberty. In less powerful systems, it might not fully unveil its dynamic capabilities, whereas the Absolute Liberty is often perceived as being more immediately dynamic and easier to drive to satisfying levels.

To put it simply: the Absolute and Infinite Liberty completely exceeds all expectations.

5. Density, Fluidity, and Seamless Integration

· Absolute Liberty: The sound is highly coherent and fluid. The transition from bass to midrange to treble is seamless, creating a very natural and engaging listen. It has a light, agile, and "silky" quality that is highly addictive. The exceptional performance is by no means limited to classical piano. Across a diverse range of genres, the

Absolute Liberty proves to be a staggering performer. The attack and decay of percussion instruments are rendered with explosive dynamism and pinpoint precision.

In complex jazz arrangements, the cable excels at unravelling each instrument, placing it perfectly within a vast and holographic soundstage while maintaining the cohesive feel of the ensemble. The cable adds a layer of density and power to the signal, transforming excellent sound into a profoundly immersive experience.

However, where the Absolute Liberty truly achieves something astonishingly and exceptionally brilliant is with deep, magnetic male voices. The baritone of an artist like Leonard Cohen or Nick Cave is delivered with a texture and gravitas that is palpably physical. The cable reproduces the subtle vibrations and chesty resonance without a hint of blurring or warmth, offering a level of clarity and emotional connection that is simply breathtaking.

· Infinite Liberty: The Infinite Liberty takes the concept of "seamless" to its absolute extreme. The sound is phenomenally dense and liquid and more articulate compare to absolute liberty. There is zero gap between frequencies; the entire musical presentation is one continuous, unbroken flow of information. This incredible density does not come at the cost of speed or agility; instead, it gives music a weighty, analog- like fluidity that is the hallmark of ultra-high-end components. It is the very definition of "effortless". The soundstage is incredibly dense and information-rich, avoiding any thinness often associated with normal pure silver constructions.

6. Micro-Detail Retrieval: Nuance vs. Revelation

Micro-details are the subtle, low-level information that gives music its texture, realism, and emotional depth: the intake of a singer's breath, the friction of a violinist's fingers on the strings, the subtle decay of a cymbal shimmering into nothingness. This immense detail retrieval is achieved without any sense of exaggeration or "hi-fi effect." It feels entirely natural and unforced, as if a veil you never knew was there has been removed. The background is even blacker, making these infinitesimal details pop with greater contrast.

· Absolute Liberty: The Master of Nuance. The Absolute Liberty is exceptionally detailed. It retrieves a vast amount of information that is often lost through lesser cables. It presents these details in a highly organized, articulate, and effortless manner.

You hear the fine textures and subtle cues clearly, and it does so without ever becoming clinical or harsh. The detail is simply there, integrated naturally into the musical flow. It is a massive achievement and will reveal new layers in any good recording.

· Infinite Liberty: The Revelation. The Infinite Liberty operates on a different plane altogether. It doesn't just retrieve micro-details; it illuminates them. The resolution is so high that it exposes a further stratum of information that the Absolute Liberty hints at but cannot fully unveil.

In short: The Absolute Liberty shows you the beautiful intricacies of the tapestry. The Infinite Liberty allows you to feel the individual threads.


7. Dynamic Expression:

Dynamics are the lifeblood of music—the shift between quiet and loud, the intensity
of a crescendo, the subtle decay of a note. This is where the two cables most
dramatically part ways.

· Absolute Liberty: The Absolute Liberty is dynamically excellent. Its strengths lie in its speed and precision.

- Macro-dynamics: Sudden, explosive shifts in volume are handled with agility
and control. There is no compression or sluggishness.

- Micro-dynamics: It excels at reproducing the subtle, small-scale dynamic shifts that give music its swing and rhythm. The leading edge of a plucked string or the attack of a piano key is rendered with razor-sharp definition and incredible speed. The performance feels lively, energetic, and precise.

· Infinite Liberty: The Infinite Liberty builds upon this precision and adds undeniable physical weight.

- Macro-dynamic Impact: A crescendo doesn't just get louder; it swells with a greater sense of power and scale. The dynamic impact has more physical force and visceral weight, making musical climaxes more emotionally overwhelming.

- Micro-dynamic Gradation: The Infinite Liberty reveals a finer gradient between the softest and loudest notes. The journey from pianissimo to forte is described with more steps, more nuance. This makes the performance feel less like a series of precise events and more like a continuous, organic, and breathing entity.

Dynamic Contrast: The contrast between silence and sound is even starker due to its lower noise floor. This enhances the perceived dynamic range, making quiet passages more delicate and loud passages more powerful.

The Absolute Liberty paints dynamics with a fine, precise brush. The Infinite Liberty uses a broader brush that carries more paint, delivering greater impact, weight, and gradation.


8. Portability and Practicality

Absolute Liberty 4-Wire: The Portable Choice

For users who prioritize portability, the Absolute Liberty 4-wire is the clear winner. Its slim profile with soft and lightweight construction make it easy to coil and store, whether in a bag or a pocket. The cable lies flat and does not tangle easily, adding to its convenience for on-the-go use. The precision engineering allows these four critical wires to be bundled with a minimal amount of ultra-thin insulation and a legendary Teflon outer jacket. Despite its slim build, it does not sacrifice durability, thanks to Crystal Cable’s meticulous attention to material quality and shielding. This cable is an excellent choice for daily commuters or travellers who need a high-performance cable that won’t weigh them down. Crystal Cable has shed virtually all unnecessary weight, the feather-light experience forgetting You're wearing a Flagship and becomes no burden over time. When paired with IEMs, it creates a balanced, almost weightless system that prioritizes comfort without compromise. You can wear the Absolute Liberty for hours and genuinely forget it's there, allowing you to be fully immersed in the music rather than conscious of the cable connecting you to it.

Infinite Liberty 8-Wire: The Practical Choice

The Infinite Liberty 8-wire, with its thicker gauge and heavier build (comparatively), is better suited for stationary setups. While it is still perfect to use it portably, its lightweight make it practical for frequent movement. Traditional 8-Wire cables constructed from eight individual strands of often thick Litz wire, each with its own insulation, these cables are then bundled, shielded, and housed in a final outer sleeve.

The result is a substantial, often a robust hefty cord. You can feel the complexity. The diameter can easily reach 5-6mm or more and the weight may cause earhooks to slip, create microphonics (cable noise transmitted to the ears), and generally remind you that you are wearing a significant piece of gear. However Infinite Liberty is better optimized for portable audio systems or studio environments where maximum performance is the priority. The Infinite Liberty is arguably one of the lightest 8-wire flagship cable on the market, it eliminates the "cable drag" and bulkiness associated with its competitors. It doesn't pull on your ears or your devices. It avoids the "cable necklace" effect that can make other flagships feel cumbersome during extended listening sessions. It eliminates fatigue and microphonics to a degree that thicker, heavier cables cannot.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Liberty

The choice between the Absolute Liberty and Infinite Liberty ultimately depends on your system and your priorities, it is not about right or wrong; it's about matching the cable to your system and aspirations.

· Choose the Absolute Liberty if you seek a phenomenally light cable that offers a significant taste of the Crystal Cable magic—exceptional clarity, stunning highs, breathtaking holographic staging, and a natural, detailed presentation. It is an outstanding performer that will elevate any good system without breaking the bank. It is the choice for the purist who values fluid, clarity, agility, exquisite micro-detail, and a natural tonal balance. In less powerful systems it is often perceived as being more immediately dynamic and easier to drive to satisfying levels, making it the perfect companion for sensitive in-ear monitors. The Absolute Liberty is a revelation. Despite its 4-wire architecture, it truly punches above its weight class. It delivers a dynamic slam and a level of detail retrieval that rivals bulkier 8-wire flagship cables. The soundstage is not just wide but also densely packed with information, offering superb instrument separation that brings incredible clarity and layering to your music.

However, it offers a slightly less dominant presentation of the deepest, magnetic baritone voice compared to its stellar bass, mid and high-frequency performance. For those who seek a more powerful and full-bodied low-end response to complement that world-class clarity—especially for the weight and tactile presence of a deep baritone voice—the Infinite Liberty provides a more comprehensive performance.

· Choose the Infinite Liberty when you demand the absolute best and your system is resolving enough to reveal its majesty. It builds upon the Absolute's foundation by adding profound density, holographic staging, subterranean bass, and a midrange richness that borders on magical. It is less of a cable and more of a window into the recording, offering a more complete, physically palpable, and emotionally engaging performance. However, its technical design as an 8-wire cable means it presents a comparatively stringent to the amplifier. It requires more power and current to truly shine and reach its full potential compared to the Absolute Liberty.

Full-sized headphones require a foundation of unparalleled power and stability. I suggest choosing 8-wire Infinite Liberty cable for headphone use. If the system provide the essential current and signal integrity that headphones crave, the result is a tangible upgrade in sonic density, impactful texture, and control. You'll experience a richer, more visceral performance where every note carries more weight and substance, fulfilling the true promise of your high-end headphones.