Best interconnect between Ayre AX-7 and CX-7


Time for another change in the second system. I found a few months’ old Ayre AX-7e at a bargain that I’ll pair with my Ayre CX-7. In every review of the AX-7 I found, and especially when looking at it together with CX-7, reviewers have praised the superior performance of balanced interconnects. Sadly, mostly without mentioning the IC’s used.

I read through a few older threads on interconnects for Ayre gear as well as the (disputed) general merit of balanced IC’s, particularly over short lengths. And was left a bit puzzled as to what the views expressed there would boil down to for this particular pair of machines.

Can anyone lift the veil (… or add to the confusion) what IC’s would bring the best result with this gear? In case Stealth Indra leaps to your mind, I am rather looking at something in the $ 500-600 range here (between 0,5m and 1m length, new or used). As far as XLR’s are concerned, I have seen a pair of Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II that would fit the bill, but would it fit sonically? (I have as yet not received an answer from the German distributor as to the availability of Ayre’s own IC’s btw, so I can’t judge their price level over here.)

As always, many thanks in advance for your thoughts or recommendations (XLR or RCA).
karelfd

Showing 2 responses by beerdraft

Should be able to get into the Shunyata Altairs for this. I noticed several pairs are on Auction of Altairs and Antairs. The antair is more expesive but the bids haven't gotten very high yet. I own the Altairs and love them. I imagine these auction cables are probably new and for auction since Shunyata has reintroduced the inter connects and has a new line up now. Nothing at all wrong with the altairs or antairs though. Get them for a steel..

beerdraft
On the true balanced, I don't know. That would be a question for Shunyata. Email them on thier site and they will let you know. I don't use balanced. Some interesting threads on AK about how balanced is not good or something, I don't understand it but the equipment and the i-connect aren't matching correctly. Seems many are having problems with balanced and get better sound out of single ended. Don't know all about it and don't understand it though.

beerdraft