Several months ago, we received an order for Chord Company cables from Shenzhen, covering SarumT RCA and phono interconnects, speaker jumper cables, power cords, and even the flagship ChordMusic series speaker cables and power cords. Judging from the configuration, this was undoubtedly a seasoned audiophile with great trust in The Chord Company.

Recently, this audiophile contacted us again, hoping to upgrade his phono cartridge from the existing Nagaoka MP500 MM to a THORENS MC cartridge, the TAS1600, and invited us to provide professional installation and tuning services. We learned that he is well-known within his local audiophile circle for his sound tuning skills, and any fellow enthusiast who has heard his system has praised his adjustment prowess. We were, of course, delighted to accept, cherishing this rare opportunity for exchange.

This audiophile primarily listens to streaming music daily, with genres covering jazz, pop, and upbeat anime music. His vinyl system is a more recent in-depth pursuit. Upon arriving at his listening space in Xixiang, we first listened to his meticulously tuned streaming system before switching to vinyl playback. Although the space is medium-sized, through detailed acoustic treatment, vibration control, and power purification, the system’s performance was unexpectedly full-bodied and balanced. A pair of bookshelf speakers managed to fill the entire space, with a soundstage scale that was just right—not exaggerated—and a sound character that was detailed yet substantial, with clear and three-dimensional instrument imaging.

The client revealed that his system blends the sonic characteristics of German and British audio equipment, using a mix of Chord Company’s SarumT and ChordMusic series cables. He particularly appreciates their high mid-to-high-frequency density and pure, natural tonality, which he finds complement the performance of his German speakers in certain frequency ranges, ultimately allowing him to tune a sound that matches his personal preference. During our conversation, he also shared many insights on equipment and cables, all grounded in scientific principles and actual measurement data rather than mere speculation. This rigorous attitude deeply impressed our team.

Subsequently, we proceeded with the installation and tuning of the THORENS TAS1600 cartridge. Throughout the process, the client assisted, working together to confirm parameters such as stylus angle, VTA, and anti-skate, ensuring the cartridge operated in its optimal state. After completing the adjustments and replaying several jazz and classical vinyl records, the system showed audible improvements in playback detail, dynamic contrast, and soundstage layering, further enhancing the musical engagement.

This visit was not just a professional installation service but also a technical exchange filled with shared resonance. We sincerely admire this audiophile’s dedication and passion on his audio journey and look forward to more opportunities to explore the infinite possibilities of audio matters with him in the future.