Chord Sarum Tuned ARAY Cable System

They might be right to think there is no way that Chord’s Sarum Tuned ARAY used in a complete systemic context can have an effect that makes the sum of the system sound greater than its component parts. But I don’t think so. I think most people who listen to their system for enjoyment instead of point-scoring will like what Sarum Tuned ARAY does between individual components and they will like the results even better as a more complete set of Sarum Tuned ARAY cables is inserted into the system. In part, because what the Tuned ARAY concept seems to bring to the table is a sense of consistency, levelling the differences in input and output impedance between products. As a result, I think they will like what the whole ‘ducks in a row’ cable system does so much, that they will look upon the arguments of the naysayers with incredulity.

Normally, the kind of cable systems that demonstrate this level of systemic performance boost have the word ‘monocrystal’ in the description; and typically that means recabling a system in a global context represents a major financial investment. Chord Sarum Tuned ARAY is not a trivial investment if you think of it in whole-system terms, but that investment is in line with the kind of top-end equipment with which it works. In other words, it’s the cost of a new car, rather than the cost of a new house. That doesn’t make it a bargain, but it does make it attainable over time… and given that the performance of Chord’s own Indigo Tuned ARAY and Signature Tuned ARAY are in the same ‘groove’, it is possible to make a full Sarum Tuned ARAY cable system a goal to be attained over time, in a structured upgrade path, should you wish. Finally, for owners of pre-Tuned ARAY Sarum; Chord can upgrade your cables. It makes a huge difference, in all the ways that made you buy Sarum in the first place, without any downsides. Just do it.

Alan Sircom, Hi-Fi+ Issue 115