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Audioquest Firebird Zero

I've tried several speaker cables over the past year; Shunyata Alpha and Sigma, Wireworld Silver Eclipse series 7, Audioquest Oak and Redwood, Audience Au24 SX, and I own Clarus Crimson speaker cables. I prefer the Clarus over all of the aforementioned speaker cables. I've had the Audioquest Firebird Zero speaker cables on loan for three days. My initial thoughts were everything is a little clearer through them compared to my Clarus Crimson. Not a night and day difference, but definitely clearer. The Clarus are slightly more 3-dimensional to my ears. My wife on the other hand just keeps saying the AQ sounds sharper, clearer, there are less impurities in the music. I'm not sure what she means by impurities, but she keeps repeating it. Maybe she means a darker background? My plan was to have a home audition of the Thunderbird Zero speaker cables, but they had banana plugs on the amplifier end and I can't use them. I took the Firebirds with the logic that if I can't hear a difference between them and my current cables I didn't need to have a home audition of the Thunderbirds. $14K for an eight foot pair of speaker cables is freaking crazy and sad! It would be easy for me to dismiss it  because there isn't a night and day difference, but once you hear the difference it's very hard to ignore. Financially I just can't justify spending $14K on speaker cables and hope to hear the AQ Thunderbirds sometime next week. Once again I'm reminded that absolutely everything makes a difference. For those that can easily afford $14K, $20K or more speaker cables I understand, because cables can be equivalent to a component change. Does it ever end?
ricred1

Showing 8 responses by gdnrbob

gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
@musicguy85,
Interesting post, and nice to hear from German Audiophiles( I have a secret obsession with MBL's).
You make an interesting observation. I just purchased a set of AQ cables and was surprised that they were only offered in 1 meter or more lengths. So, it would seem the DBS requires a certain length in order to be effective. -Though I might be wrong in that assumption.
Re: Hurricane vs. Firebird-
AQ is pretty good at organizing/pricing their cables. If it is higher up on the scale/price level, then it should 'outperform' the cables below them.
If I get a chance, I will call AQ and get the scoop on the length question.
Bob
gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
@ctsooner ,
When I ordered a set of William Tell's from Johnny, it seems they didn't come any shorter than 1 meter. My office system has my baby monoblocks right near the speakers and 1/2 meter would have been a lot neater (visually), and less expensive.
So, I guess there is a minimum distance the DBS is effective? Or, AQ doesn't want to sell anything under a meter.
B
gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
@meuch,
I would buy what you can comfortably afford.
IMHO, AQ cables will not dissapoint.
If you want a good person to discuss the differences, I suggest PM'ing Audioconnection, or call John Rutan at Audioconnection.
Yes, he is a dealer, but he knows his stuff, and can give you the most accurate, free advice out there as he knows not just the brands he sells but just about anything out there.

Bob
gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
I wish AQ would make an easier to understand nomenclature.
Zero?- What does it refer to?
At least the power cables are differentiated by High Power and Source, but I don't understand why they just don't say Upper Frequency and Low Frequency for their speaker cables.
I guess it is a Marketing decision.
B
And, nice to see you back ctsooner. Did you get my email earlier this month?
bob
gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
@4425 .
I would suggest you listen to these new cables. I, too, felt cables couldn't make a great difference, but an audition of the William Tell's definitely changed my mind.
B
gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
@OP,
Interesting. I have no experience with any of your equipment, so I can't comment. But, I would call Johnny again with your impressions. Given his knowledge of equipment, I am sure he would have some suggestions.
All I can say is when I listened to the William Tell's with the Vandy VLR's, Belles integrated, and Aurender N100, it was a serious upgrade from the lower grade AQ cables (GO-4?).
As far as 'Horses for courses', I think so much of this hobby is not only system dependent, but 'listener dependent', though if both you and your wife felt a similar discord, then there must be something not clicking.
Whether it is the cables or something upstream or a combination of both is the question.
Bob
gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
@ozzy ,
I was with ctsooner at Audioconnection when Johnny demoed the CAD unit. Subtle, but noticable change- blacker background, more detail coming through. I should get one, too.
In any case, just call Johnny directly. He will set you up.
Here is the website:
https://www.computeraudiodesign.com/gc1-ground-control/

Bob
gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
@ctsooner ,
Any way to incorporate an Ayre volume control? Now that would be a sweet combo.😋
@earthones,
Great post! And, spot on.
Bob

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