Audio envy - dang!


I usually post on AG when I have an issue or concern, so I’m happy for once it’s to praise a new product, in this case Audio Envy’s IC. 

I use an ARC Classic 60 amp with a Herron 1A preamp. The AE cable went between these two.

I run an ARC Phono pre PH3se from my VPI prime as source.
My speakers are Thiel CS2.4’s

Out of the box a bit bright, But after a few hours that just went to strait up transparent - I mean freaking crystal clear. No tonal aberrations. Smooth, with no etched highs. Voices sound right, Natural. Soundstage opened up, as you might expect when things get clearer.

The best part was how inexpensive they were. They made my Cardas Clear Light interconnects I was using sound clouded by contrast. The Cardas was about x3 the cost of the AE’s.
BTW, this wasn’t “I think I hear differences”, this was “I’ll never use those Cardas in this system again, and where is my IPad, I need to order my next set!”

And that’s just what I did.
last_lemming
last_lemming

Thank You for the review. System synergy counts.
Good to read that you are still enjoying the Thiel CS 2.4 loudspeakers.

Happy Listening!
“this wasn’t “I think I hear differences”

@last_lemming,

Nope, you’re not alone in experiencing superb transparency of AE’s cables. I have been using them since 2018. I started out with a IC trial and now using full loom of AE’s cables.

I highly recommend that you also try his new SP9 speaker cables.

I have recommended their cables few times here and some decided to take a leap of faith and others shook their shoulders thinking they are too cheap to be taken seriously. In fact as I recall, one guy said here that they look like someone building them in their garage and went with a $1k interconnects...lol!!!

AE’s cables are real deal and a steal at their asking price. The proprietor (Captain) is very knowledgeable and has pro audio background.
@last_lemming was it the Studio Prestige?

Not heard this brand before and currently pondering a full loom of either Grover Huffman or Cerious (with some ambivalence admittedly).

I'm curious how these might compare.
Sorry for the late response 

yes it was the studio prestige. 
I just got my xlr’s in, same great clarity. 
I use the AE O’Nestian IC’s between my amp and preamp, and I use the Studio Prestige for my CDP, FM Tuner, and Subwoofer. They sound absolutely terrific, and are far better than the Cardas GR IC’s they replaced, which are 3x to 4x the price of the AE’s. I use Cardas GR Speaker Cable and Cardas Clear PC’s. Thinking about replacing those with AE as well. AE is the real deal, folks.
 “I use Cardas GR Speaker Cable and Cardas Clear PC’s. Thinking about replacing those with AE as well.”

@rlb61,

You won’t regret it. I have recently switched to AE’s SP9 speaker and P2 power cables for my source components. As others have reported, these cables conveys music with superb clarity and transparency. No frills cables! 
Lemming,
Thanks for the heads up.  I’m listening to the Studio Prestige ($156 m) for two days now.  I’ll never use those AQ cables ($1200 m) again.  Everything you said is spot on.  Unbelievable! 
You guys convinced me, I ordered 2 pairs of Studio Prestige IC’s today. Can’t wait to try them out.
Well, I'll throw my recommendation in as well for the Audio Envy cables.Someone over at Audio Circle said to try the power cable, which I did after seeing the price.  What's to lose?  Why not.  Wow.  Was very impressed.  Then tried the O'Nestian balanced cable.  Impressed again.  Bought three more power cables and will eventually buy another O'Nestian to complete my AE cable connections.  As someone else said, Captain is the real deal and his cables are the real deal.  No BS cables.  Come in a plain postal service envelope with no fancy packaging. 




I keep hearing more and more really good things about AE cables. It’s very encouraging,hearing great things,and not have to sell an internal organ to give them a try.  
Waltersalas told me about this Cables, I was stunned how good they are, I bought 2 p3 power cord , I just have 3 hrs on them, They stunned me big time, Iam using them on my tube monos Tsakadiris, they made my monos 3x better, this Cables are very musical and exciting to listen.very natural sounding as well.
Captain know his stuff
I have been very happy with Audio Envy's IC, speaker and power cables. I am looking forward to receiving their new phono cable, which I ordered few days ago.
@ocean2059, 

Like yourself, I am also looking forward to AE’s phono cable. I’ve been extremely pleased with their IC, speaker and power cables. 
I have an early prototype he made up for me after a conversation I had with him about me wanting to see if the prestige IC would work. I use it on my Technics 1200GR and it goes to my Parasound JC3+. 
As usual very clear and natural. 
I had done a good amount of research on AE and contacted them with questions but never heard back. I ended up going with Zentara Reference II speaker cables.
Lalitk Iam also thinking of getting phono Cable , prestige ic, and one more pc. 
Here's a question that I've never seen answered:  what's the difference between the O'nestian 4:3 and the O'nestian G:L?  Both XLR ic's, and both same price.
I just spoke to Captain , I did special order my phono Cable going to my Sutherland phono preamp, very knowledgeable, very nice guy...
Here's a question that I've never seen answered: what's the difference between the O'nestian 4:3 and the O'nestian G:L? Both XLR ic's, and both same price.
I'm also curious about this.
They have slightly different voicing. One is not better than the other.  I have used 4:3 for almost two years between preamp and amp and as an AES cable so it's not just for phono cables but may just be what he recommends for that application.
@lalitk 

I took a look at your system and see you have spent some time assembling a pretty amazing music maker.

If you don't mind, I'd like to hear about your experiences with Audio Envy. The pricing is quite reasonable and it would appear with gear of the quality you have you would have tried other cable by more well known makers at much higher pricing yet you use Audio Envy. If you'd share what different Audio Envy cables you've used and what you heard over the other cables that AE has replaced, that'd be really helpful.
Which is better, full loom of Audio Envy or full loom of Anticables at comparative price point?

sorry for the random question, but if anyone has compared would be interested to hear impressions 
I find it strange that Audio Envy's website does not indicate the wire gauge on their speaker cables. Does anyone know the answer?
@pokey77,

Thanks for the compliment. I am going to send you a PM (I prefer not to shame other brands in a open forum).

What I do want to express is this, Audio Envy’s cables simply gets out of the way and let’s me enjoy music to the full potential of my system. Their ability to bring out the absolutely best truly belies their asking price!
Turnbowm, when I first inquire to Captain who I think design this Cables , He won’t tell me if they are strand or solid core, I guest it’s smart not to reveal to much on their cables, I bought the p3 power cables anyway, they are super musical and effortless to listen, very balance, micro and macro is to die for. Iam glad I bought this Cables.i have phono Cables ordered.I use Teo audio cables, Tellurium q Cables diamond Speaker Cables, Nordost heimdall 2 Speaker Cables, Palladian kimber pc as well. Cerious Cables, Hi fidlelity Cables. The audio envy cables on my system , I felt it brings the best of out my expensive cables.
Lalitk you are class act , that’s really admirable, when I look at your system, it gives more confidence to try the AE pc .thanks to you and Waltersalas . 
jayctoy2,176 posts
10-11-2020 10:19am
"....when I first inquire to Captain who I think design this Cables , He won’t tell me if they are strand or solid core...."

It's strange that he wouldn’t answer your question.
jayctoy2,176 posts
10-11-2020 10:19am
"....when I first inquire to Captain who I think design this Cables , He won’t tell me if they are strand or solid core...."

I believe AE’s SP9 speaker cables uses OCC stranded copper wire. I wouldn’t get too hung up on the wire gauge. I would encourage @turnbowm to try out AE cables. Audio Envy offers a 45 day return policy less the shipping fees.
"....I wouldn’t get too hung up on the wire gauge. I would encourage @turnbowm to try out AE cables. Audio Envy offers a 45 day return policy less the shipping fees."

A lot of speakers have low impedance in the bass region and it's been my experience that small gauge speaker wire has a detrimental effect on bass performance. This is elementary information that most all cable manufacturers provide and I'm surprised that Audio Envy doesn't spec it.

I became interested in AE cables because of all the hype, but there's too many pieces of the puzzle missing. Glad that you're enjoying yours.
“A lot of speakers have low impedance in the bass region and it’s been my experience that small gauge speaker wire has a detrimental effect on bass performance.”
@turnbowm,

Generalizations are often indicative of ignorance. If you’re serious about ascertaining if AE speaker cable would be a good match for your speakers then why not pick up the phone and speak to the designer?

I’ve had several conversations with the designer (Captain) and he has been spot on with his advise :-)

lalitk
2,081 posts10-11-2020 2:37pm

@turnbowm,

"Generalizations are often indicative of ignorance. If you’re serious about ascertaining if AE speaker cable would be a good match for your speakers then why not pick up the phone and speak to the designer?"

I’m taken back by your "ignorance" remark. For the record, I’m a degreed engineer (EE) with 30+ years of experience in the electronics industry and have been involved in audio equipment for even longer.

As for picking up the phone and talking to the designer, why bother when he wouldn’t even answer jayctoy’s question re. stranded or solid core cable construction.

Finally, the ferocity with which you defend AE and attack others who simply have a question about AE products makes me wonder about your relationship with the company.
^^^No financial stake in AE. Like many others here, just a happy customer who can’t help feeling ecstatic by high performance cables at a very reasonable price of admission. 
As for picking up the phone and talking to the designer, why bother when he wouldn’t even answer jayctoy’s question re. stranded or solid core cable construction.
Not sure why this information should not be forthcoming.  Maybe to not provide clues as to the source of the wire?
jetter

You are likely correct.  Some manufactures hold certain things close to the vest; others not so much.  

There is a picture on the AE site with a good bit of information about the cable, other than gauge, solid or stranded, etc.  He is not using "off the shelf" wires.
  
In my few communications (email) with him, I thought Captain was straightforward and a decent guy. 
Tellurium q cables I think don’t disclose much of their cables, they are superb too.

jayctoy
2,182 posts10-11-2020 8:35pm"Turnbowm this is not a hype AE pc that I bought are very good, for real."

Which AE power cord did you buy?.
Turnbowm, I bought the p3 power cord for my Tsakadiris monoblocks tube worth 4K..
I received the AE phono cable and it's really excellent, very open and transparent with a lot of detail and clean background.  I have it placed between my Technics 1200GR table and ModWright PH 9.0 phono preamp. I have used some other well known brand cables but I am in the process replacing those with AE cables for system synergies. 
@ocean2059,

Thanks for your feedback. I should have my phono cable soon. And I agree, replacing other cables with AE should yield to much better system synergy. Atleast, that’s been my experience with AE loom. 
Ocean2059 you are making me jealous, Hopefully I get mine the latest next week,I believe thephono Cable is excellent.
I added a xlr and a power cord P3 to my system after reading through all the praise.
Interconnect between Esoteric CD player and preamp. P3 added after 3 hours to preamp. 

Compared to the Cerious Matrix the interconnects with <5 hours on them sound leaner, center image is less pronounced and feels more stretched out with less mids and a bit more bass. The center image with the Matrix in comparison is full/balanced and floats in a dark background. I can understand why people say AE sound clean/ transparent. Lets see if the cable changes with 10 more hours on it.
Power cable replaced a SR master coupler.  Not much difference to hear, will swap back and forth again after the P3 has more hours on it.