Eletech Purgatorio Review – The Final Frontier

Comparisons –

Eletech Inferno ($749): The Inferno is Eletech’s cheaper headphone cable offering that sports pure copper conductors. By comparison, the Purgatorio strikes as a more versatile companion. The Inferno offers a roughly L-shaped sound being smoother, warmer and bassier. The Purgatorio is more neutral orientated with a more technical nature. Both cables serve to improve dynamics, however, the Purgatorio offers a cleaner, more separated mid-bass and greater tonal transparency alongside a generally more responsive presentation. By comparison, the Inferno extends emphasis more into the mid-bass offering a warmer tone with greater body and fullness. While it isn’t quite as nicely defined, it still represents a solid step up and a more organic presentation for those that desire it.

The midrange is slightly vocal forward on both, and both are also defined by an increase in bass/midrange contrast. The Purgatorio is once again more neutrally toned and note body is also less affected. It is slightly more extended within the upper-midrange and also more articulate. The treble range is more generally present on the Purgatorio while the Inferno has a netural lower treble with a darker mid and upper treble. This lends the Inferno an even darker background albeit at the expense of micro detail presentation and general atmosphere. Purgatorio delivers a noticeably more nuanced presentation here with greater fine detail retrieval and presentation. The soundstage is far larger on the Purgatorio and imaging is more multi-dimensional. Overall, it is a more technically capable cable and this is exemplified with the soundstage and imaging performance. There is a lot more separation between notes and fine details are highlighted more to the listener.

Verdict –

Once again, I find Eletech has a relative lack of competition within the headphone market space. Perhaps this is indicative more that the market is immature rather than a lack of demand as high-end headphone options become more abundant and increasingly premium. The Purgatorio then feels like an apt companion for the new wave of TOTL full-size headphones. It displays a regal design language that complements these statement pieces alongside a stunning sound that impresses with both its versatility and technical performance. The staging this cable unlocks has to be heard to be believed whilst the transparent tonality brings out the best in the character of the headphone itself. The Purgatorio is a masterful creation that rightfully earns its flagship moniker in every sense.

The Purgatorio is available from Eletech (International) for $2399 USD at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with Eletech and receive no earnings from purchases through this link.