Anyone try Acoustic Research Pro cables?


I have replaced some of my Monster Cables with the Acoustic Research Pro cables because they sound better to me (even though they are less expensive). Still, given that I've only experimented with these two brands, I'm wondering if I'm "missing" something. Has anyone else tried these cables, and what are your impressions? Would I find a noticable improvement by moving up in quality?

I'm currently using a B&K Refence 30 preamp/processor, Outlaw Audio and Acurus amps, Toshiba DVD as transport, D.H. labs q-10 speaker cables, Paradigm Reference 100 v.2's, and a Stealth Fineline MKII digital coax (the AR cables are between processor and amps).
128x128felthove
AR cables
I accidentally bid on a pair on e-bay when I did a search on Audio Research - the guy posts them withthe word audio knowing he will catch a few people on that end. He would not retract the bid and I was stuck with them, they were not expensive so it wasn't a big deal

Marginal cables, a little better than the cables commonly "given away" with equipment but you could do much better for a little more money. I have it hooked up to a hifi vcr I rarely use
They claim to be OFC copper. They were recently revamped with new packaging and colors. I needed a couple Y adapters for the HT system. It is hard to find decent ones other than the cheapos at Radio Shack. I was in Sears and found they had the old packaged ones on the clearance rack. They had a couple of the Y adapters for only $2.93 so I got them.
I believe that a great audio cable should be transparent/neutral and let everything through and not be a filter, given a natural and neutral sounding system. I have listened with many cables in my (high end) system to find that:

Acoustic Research (AR) Pro Series (PR130/PR131/PR132, depending on length) are good sounding cables, better than Monster Interlink 300, out of the box, and many others. Neutral, but not as smooth as HT130/HT131/HT132.

Also have AR HT130/HT131/HT132 which are smooth and warmer sounding than Pro Series with great harmonics and good bass, not fatiguing ever, but not exactly neutral, and not very lively. Tubey?

Also have AR Master Series MS230/MS232 which are a mixed bag... Not sure if they are better sounding than Pro Series or HT series. Great at decay, not as good on attack (transient) (e.g., piano). Not lively. Tubey? If the rest of your system has colorations, then it depends on your system. Good for an already bright (and aggressive) sounding system.

If your system is bright, go with HT130/HT131/HT132 or MS230/MS231/MS232... Smooth and somewhat filtered. If your system is already warm sounding, not bright, then avoid HT130/HT131/HT132/MS230/MS131/MS132 and try PR130/PR131/PR132. If your system is neutral, then use your personal and music preferences to determine which interconnect cable (PR130/PR131/PR132, HT130/HT131/HT132, or MS230/MS231/MS232) is best with your system.

Have Van den Hul D-102 MkIII (my favorite) wnich are outstanding, neutral enough, better than any AR cables in my system. Tried Kimber Hero and found them to be excellent except for the slight raspiness in vocals (in my system). Tried Analysis Plus and they were excellent overall. Tried Siltech (various models $100 to $300) and found them to be midrange happy (great) and "silvery" sounding, but not great for my system.

My system includes Bryston SP1 Preamp/Processor, Bryston 9BST THX, Infinity Prelude MTS Speakers, McIntosh MCD CD Changer, SAE T102 Tuner, and Kimber 8TC speaker cable. I own and am proud of all the above cables and components.

My criteria, as a musician (piano and sax), are based on musicality and how natural instruments sound.