Atlas Cables Zeno Seraphic headphone cable

Introduction

Without apology, cards on the table, Atlas Cables has supported this and other review websites unwaveringly, recognising the value of proper, unbiased testing and objective listening. I have heard many cables and read many research papers from many companies, but Atlas has always been clear and to the point, with a commitment to the customer first and always offering services and value across price ranges.

Design

The Atlas Cables Zeno Seraphic headphone cable features high-grade Ohno Continuous Cast (OCC) copper conductors with a fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) dielectric. The dielectric is designed to protect conductor integrity and preserve signal speed. Inside the cable, there is a soft PVC inner liner for comfort and durability, and a silver-coloured fabric-covered outer jacket for tangle-free daily use.

Terminations are available in specified lengths and termination sets for both portable and desktop use. 2.5mm Metik jack or 2.5, 3.5 and 4.4mm TRRS connectors are available, in 1m, 1.5m and 2m lengths .

Quality

Zeno Seraphic, I gather from Atlas, means ‘Angelic’ and ‘Heavenly’. This is the case; the fabric cover is soft to the touch and noiseless. Importantly, the cable is tangle-free for me on the desktop. The cable is also fairly pliable, whereas the older Atlas Zeno Harmonic cable upgrade was certainly very stiff, despite its undoubted effectiveness.

Specification and Price

Performance

Review Equipment

I’m using a FiiO Flagship K19 for its high current output and its highly analytical presentation, compared to the warmer iFi Pro iDSD Signature, which I also have here. Both are fine headphone amplifiers at opposite ends of the high-end scale; the idea that iFi’s iDSD Phantom is a further step up is mind-boggling. I’m bound to say that I have had the Pro iDSD as my main DAC for years now, and I would generally wind down with this more forgiving long listening presentation over the K19. However, I have decided the K19 is technically more precise for headphone cable testing.

I’m using Meze Audio Elite headphones for this cable test. Atlas made the cables for the review before Christmas, so they’re well run in with a 4.4mm balanced jack to 4-pin mini-XLR headphone terminations on each ear. The Elites feature the Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology at an easy-to-drive 32 Ohms. They are physically very comfortable, and the cable swapping process is easy to handle. I’ve run the K19 with no filters and medium gain with a DELL XPS source and the Qobuz App. I have a Chord Company USB-C-USB-C interconnect to the K19. With the iFi Pro iDSD, I have an Atlas Mavros USB-A-USB-B with Grun from the XPS.

I’ve decided, given the sensitivity of this test, to select a few key tracks to compare the Atlas Cables Zeno Seraphic headphone cable to the 4.4mm balanced Meze cable that comes with the Elites as standard.

Burn the Witch by Radiohead

The Meze Audio Elite headphones are relentlessly detailed, but otherwise, they are easy to drive. Burn the Witch by Radiohead is a great track for decluttering the strings; they can sometimes get fuzzy on less precise headphones (or other gear).

In this instance, swapping cables, the presentation with the Atlas cable is clearly wider and more open, for sure. This is a remarkable, simple, tangible upgrade. The strings are easier to place in the soundstage, and the overall presentation is easy on the ear.

A&W by Lana Del Rey

One of my favourite review tracks with the bass response under examination here. I’m listening for grip at around 5’.30” in the bass, and sure enough, the bass has excellent punch which feels a fraction deeper and more controlled.

The snare rattle detail to the rear of the room with Arooj Aftab’s Last Night is discernible with both cables, though the Zeno Seraphic may have the edge here, too. I certainly prefer the double bass with the Zeno Seraphic cable, which is proving to be a worthy upgrade for these Meze Audio Elite headphones.

Playing God by Polyphia

This is a classic audiophile track that I ordinarily wouldn’t choose to listen to, a bit like Aphex Twin (I came across this track while reviewing the planar magnetic POETs last year). However, the percussion speed in this track is notable, and the Elites are in a class apart (I have limited HiFiMan and Audeze experience, I have to say at this point).

Switching cables from Atlas to Meze is less noticeable than the clearly discernible Burn the Witch swap. Other tracks, however, reinforce my preference for the Atlas upgrade. See the Musical Interlude with Elvis and Grant Green, below.

Musical Interlude

Here’s the Playlist for this review (click on the image above). I always need a good, short playlist for cable swapping; this one has expanded.  If you’ve not heard the details in Elvis’ My Way or Grant Green’s Idle Moments, you should give them a try.  Yellow Ledbetter and Lake of Fire are there because both have that live analogue feel that is hard to access.

Thoughts

Winding down with the iFi Pro iDSD, this new cable is on point for my longer-term listening. If you’ve invested 4000 Euros in a pair of Meze Audio Elites, an additional 400 Euros seems to be a fairly easy no-brainer for this level of uplift.

One should note that Meze offers a few cable upgrades on its site.

Overall

Headphones always offer the best value for money audiophile return in my experience. Why? Because they remove the room acoustics from the equation and deliver that intimate experience.  Investing in this cable upgrade with suitable headphones is a significant step in improving your audiophile journey.