Ricable Dedalus Speaker MKII (DS3 MK2) Hi-Fi Speaker Cable – Refined, Gentle Sound and Double Noise Reduction
Ricable Dedalus Speaker MK2 is a $670 USD / 626 EURO per pair cable for speakers, with multiple unique technologies, including the Marc Conductor, and RNR Technology, to reduce the cable and create the best sound possible for your system. With its beautiful orange accent, it will match with a multitude of setups, so today we will dig deep into the build and sound of the DS3 MKII, and also compare it with other speaker cables we reviewed, namely Ricable Invictus Speaker Reference ($1518 USD), Ricable Dedalus Speaker Elite ($950 USD).
Introduction
Ricable is back in our review roster with their most affordable cable, the Dedalus speaker MK2, an option more flexible and more pocket-friendly than their Invictus and Dedalus Reference. This one’s more colorful too, but as is the case with all the other Ricable cables, you can contact them and get it in the customized length and color as you require. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Ricable has provided the sample for this review, in exchange for my honest opinion.
PROs – Beautiful textile cover and design, high quality connectors, exceptional EMI and RFI isolation, flexible but sturdy looking, exceptional warranty from Ricable, More affordable than the pricier options, smooth, full, transparent and lush sound that pairs well with any speaker. Long testing time for you to decide if you want to keep it, and a wide soundstage with a clear instrument separation.
Cons – Still carries a premium price tag.
Product Link
You can grab one here – https://amzn.to/3yB8CYa
Ricable Official Link – https://www.ricable.com/en/prodotto/ricable-dedalus-speaker-cavo-di-potenza-high-end-schermato-con-noise-reduction/
Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort
I went the wrong way when reviewing the Ricable speaker cables, as I started with the top and now we’re down at the bottom, but if they still manage to produce an interesting cable that I am able to recommend and like, even though this is their most affordable option, that means the company won every customer possiuble, both those who want the absolue flagship and those who want something more pocket-friendly too.
Constructionally, Dedalus speaker MKII is similar to Daedalus Speaker Elite, and has double the protection compared to the Dedalus first generation. Dedalus speaker MKII has improved internal insulation and increased R-TEC dielectrics to ensure neutrality that is characteristic of the Dedalus Speaker cables. The improved insulation and shielding improves the protection against EMI and RFI interference that can affect the speaker cable when your room has multiple electronic devices. Realistically speaking, there are two types of customers, those who have a dedicated listening room, which is relatively clean, and someone like me who has over 30 devices running at the same time, with multiple wireless ones that can easily transform an unshielded cable into an antenna for interference.
Dedalus Speaker is generally a cable known for its transparency, build quality and neutral listening experience, working well with all types of speakers. The MARC conductor is a 6.4mm2 Copper 7N MARC Multicore Annealed Ricable Conductor, having strands 0.1mm smoother and more compact surface allowing for up to 70% better audio transmission compared to your standard OFC copper cable, which sits at the base of the improved sound when using Ricable cables.
This combined with the RNR Ricable Noise Reduction technology, using Germanium semiconductors that overlap the conductors, making it possible to reduce the background noise and hiss generated by a system. The sound becomes more detailed and brighter while maintaining a natural and balanced timbre. Dedalis Speaker MKII is also made with a twisted geometry, employing R-Tec dielectrics and insulators. The shielding is double to improve protection from interference on all audio frequencies.
The connectors are Oversized BFA Banana connectors, made of Copper-Tellurium Monobloc which improves the electrical characteristics of the cable by more than 25% compared to pure Brass bananas. The connectors are also 24K Gold plated with specific electrolysis technique. You can also ask for the connectors to be replaced with spades, or to purchase the cables with tips directly from the conductor, you can customize the length and color coating, anything is possible when ordering the cables from Ricable, as each cable is handmade to order in Italy.
In my subjective experience, Dedalus Speaker MK2 feels just as well made and properly high-end as all of the other Ricable cables I tested to date, with the exception that it is a bit thinner than the Invictus, which also makes it more flexible, and easier to fit in tight spaces. It is effectively able to eliminate EMI or RFI, and in my room I get an absolutely dead background noise level with it. Naturally, it will not eliminate noise coming from the DAC or PRE, but it can totally cancel interference noise. The connectors are sturdy, and the cable looks beautiful in my room, bringing in a bit of color and style to the whole setup.
Sound Quality
Overall Signature – To explain the sonics, I have to mention the setups used to test the Dedalus Speaker MK2 cable, and the list starts with the DACs used, which includes SMSL DO200 PRO, HIFIMAN Serenade, AAdac from Audio Analog, and Musician Pegasus II R2R DAC. The Amplifier list includes Keces S300+, Cyrus One Cast, and Burson Funk, with Feliks Euforia Evo used as a Preamplifier, as well as Qualiton APR204. The speakers I have used for today’s review are NHT C3, KLH Model Five, Pylon Audio Diamond 30 Mkii, and S400 from Buchardt.
Ricable cables always have a bit of character and color to the sound of their cables, with the new Dedalus Speaker Mk2 being a warmer, smoother, and more playful sounding cable, with a wide soundstage, silkier treble, smoother overall sound, and a quick impulse response, with exceptional details and resolution. While cable testing is a bit harder due to the effort involved in kneeling around the speakers and replacing the cables, I always give them a listen with one speaker using one cable and the other speaker a different cable, switching things up, until I have a high confidence on what I heard and how each cable sounds. Dedalus Speaker Mk2 is a great all-rounder, has strong musicality and smooths out the harder edges in square waves, taking away harshness and fatiguing elements from music. I find the tuning and sound to be perfect for both brighter and smoother sounding speakers, as it improves on the midrange perceived detail and clarity.
Bass – There’s a good sense of depth, power and a slightly slower bass impact / response with the Dedalus Speaker Mk2. This makes the bass a bit larger, a bit slower, a bit more musical and a bit warmer, with a more atmospheric. The longer decay feels and sounds natural to my ears, and gives all speakers tested stronger bloom, but also a more organic sound. Especially as even with acoustic treatment, my room always has a little too little bass, the Dedalus Speaker MK2 cables can add a bit of weight and substance to music, which is really welcome. I gave up on my previous subwoofer, as my daily drivers are Diamond 30 MKII and they have better bass than most subwoofers when driven properly. While I think that Ricable’s best cable is still the Invictus Speaker Reference, for speed and precision, Dedalus Speaker MK2 is warmer and slower, which can work really well for rock, jazz, classical and slower, warmer, sweeter sounding music.
Midrange – The midrange of the Dedalus Speaker Mk2 is natural, vivid, colorful and warm, with a smoother and refined presentation, bearing a pleasing and musical character. The soundstage is more intimate than it is with either the Invictus or the Dedalus Speaker Elite, but the sound is more blended together, has a bit of extra warmth and a silkier presentation all around. You may notice that I rarely review speaker cables, and this is because to do a proper job, I take a lot of time, and don’t replace them daily, I think that it is important to not stress a lot over what cables you’re using, but enjoy the ones you have and treat them like special skins, accents and fine nuances, because that’s how I perceive the differences to be. At any rate, to give your speakers a warmer, softer, gentler, and slightly more personal, musical sound, Dedalus Speaker Mk2 will warm up the sound and give your speakers a bloomier, lusher sound.
Treble – For a more relaxed sound, Dedalus Speaker Mk2 is smoother, silkier and more refined, richer and less fatiguing, providing a clear difference compared to all the other speaker cables I have around the house. Taking away the harder edges and softening the treble has the effect of allowing me to pump up the volume on my speakers more, enjoy music a bit more with pop, EDM and music that’s typically harsh, without ever feeling the need to lower the volume or dampen things in any other way. I also should note that the cables pair well with a Tube PREAMP like Feliks Audio Euforia Evo.
Dynamics / PRaT / Textures – Dynamics are higher with the cable, as it seems to allow for a higher dynamic range, increases the contrast between instruments, and deepens the imaging for all songs, but the textures are slightly softer, more refined, and smoother, creating a richer presentation. This works well for classical music, but also for ACG, taking away the harder edges on square waves, and giving even electronic and EDM a more pleasing presentation, without reducing the detail and perceived resolution. In fact, having a softer sound can increase the perceived resolution and detail as it allows your mind to focus more on background instruments and sounds with lower stress and more pleasure, heaving the body and presence of each instrument more defined.
Soundstage – I would call the Speaker Mk2 wide sounding by itself, but the sound is actually more intimate, and blends instruments together more than the Dedalus speaker Elite and the Invictus, so out of all the ricable cables, it is the more intimate, warmer, and more personal sounding one. This being said, comparing it with truly entry-level options, the sound is far wider, and instrument separation, as well as imaging is better, so it is not intimate, but the most personal sounding of the Ricable’s current series of speaker cables.
Comparisons
Ricable Dedalus Speaker MK2 vs Ricable Daedalus Speaker Elite (670 USD vs 950 USD) – Dedalus Speaker elite is a bit thicker, and I liked the rosy color it has a bit more, but it is a bit heavier and a bit less flexible than the Speaker Mk2. Elite is the kind of cable that sounds wider, more holographic, and has more space between instruments, also a slightly harder edge and impact, with a more neutral presentation that bears less warmth and more precision, with a tighter musical note and tighter bass in particular.
Ricable Dedalus Speaker MK2 vs Ricable Invictus Speaker Reference (670 USD vs 1520 USD) – Invictus Speaker Reference is the thickest, heaviest and sturdiest cable I have reviewed to date, it is much heavier, sturdier, thicker and less flexible than the Speaker Mk2. Sonically, Invictus speaker reference is the most precise, most dynamic and most detailed sounding cable I heard to date, it is truly revealing and detailed, without sounding forced. Basically, it is the true flagship from the company, while Dedalus speaker Mk2 is the warmer, smoother, silkier and gentler sounding options, Invictus is a sharp tool revealing everything, revealing every micro detail and bit of dynamic range available in music.
Value and Conclusion
Ricable offers an improved price performance ratio with the new Dedalus Speaker MK2, as it carries less of a premium pricing than the Dedalus speaker elite, and given the pricing of most high-end speakers which is above 2000 USD – 3000 USD, the price tag of the cable is mostly justified now, especially if you live in a house with lots of Electromagnetic Interference EMI or RFI Radio Frequency Interference.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a mindfully priced cable for speakers, with excellent build quality, a beautiful sonic presentation, strong support from the company, and for a natural midrange, smooth and full bass, as well as exceptional stereo imaging, Ricable Dedalus Speaker MK2 is a great opportunity to improve on the sonics of your speakers and add a bit of color and style to your setup.
Product Link
You can grab one here – https://amzn.to/3yB8CYa
Ricable Official Link – https://www.ricable.com/en/prodotto/ricable-dedalus-speaker-cavo-di-potenza-high-end-schermato-con-noise-reduction/
Technical Specifications
Capacity – 50 pF/m
Resistance – 3.4 Ω/km
RMS watts supported – 650 W RMS Max
External diameter – Ø 16 mm
Conductor Section – 6.4 mm²
Structure Conductors – 750 wires per conductor
Diameter strand – 0.10 mm
Material Conductors – MARC Pure Copper 7N 99.99999%.
Geometry – Twisted conductors
Dielectric Insulator – Technopolymer R-TEC
Internal shielding – Mylar and Aluminium
External shielding – Tinned OFC Copper Braid
External Protection – High density sheathing with Polyethylene/Nylon overbraid
Connector material – Alloy Copper Tellurium
Contact – 24 K Gold Plated
Features Connectors – Banana BFA Professional with reinforcement plug, 24 K Gold Plated Copper/Tellurium Alloy Body, Gold-plated with specific Gold/Copper electrolysis technique, Amagnetic Shell
Special features – RNR – Germanium Noise Reduction System
--- Please remember to stay safe, and always have fun while listening to music!---
- If you have a dime to spare, please donate, and help us! It would make the day brighter for me and my wife-
Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
--- Contact Us ---
