what gauge is the monster cable Z1R speaker cable? Thank You |
|
Not DNM Reson.
These may never come out of my system and are the exact opposite of what you seek. |
Ebm, I have had many of the Stealth cables and powercords. With the exception of the PGS ics, I loved them. I had silver connections on the power cords which sounded great but did not hold well.
These were all displaced when I got an all charged system using Synergistic Research cables. I found the SRs to be much quieter and more dynamic. I always keep an open ear for new cables, however. But I have compared several more expensive cables with my SRs and stayed with what I have. |
Anyone remember the Distech Platinum (name only) speaker cable? It was composed of multiple runs of their silver plated, teflon coated cable. Terminated on beefy welding spade type lugs and covered in a nice black snake braid. the cable sounded great!! Nice smooth mids excellent bass a clean extended highs. Its only flaw was maybee a bit of tube like softness or slight midrange blur. At the time it was one of the best avaialble. I still have my 10' pair as do a number of friends. It retailed for $1100. at the time. Dealer was 50% of that. |
Hello To all the I have had the Cerious cables better in some ways but still had a few short comings , the Teo cables are very good but a Ripoff $12k for a pr of speakers cables , give me a break. Audio Magic has spent 5 years and finally he has 4 lines of liquid cables ,Actually I bought the middle of the line Sorcerer
and Jerry at Audio magic says these beat his last years reference pure Silver Clairvoynt cables that is saying a lot at less than half the cost $1k for 1 1m pair of interconnects and $1500 for a 8ft pair of speaker cables is a bargain IMO none of the ringing as with metal cables and no EMI to pickup and very natural sounding, pretty new out there but their Illusions just got a excellent review check out Audio Magics home page for more info. |
Homecinematronics, I not only had the Distech Platinum but also shotgunned it with multiple runs. I also made power cords out of it. I still have most of it somewhere. I don't think it is competitive anymore.
Audioman58, I also had the Cerious cabling. There were certainly others who disagreed with me, but I liked what I heard and at one time only used their cabling. Then Stealth Indra came along. |
Not big but bad ass-Basis Audio cables!!!
Not sure why anyone would focus on cable size vs. strictly on quality and performance for the price? The best cables I have ever heard by a long shot seem to be a well kept secret and are the interconnects, power cords, and speaker cables made by Basis Audio. Well known for fantastic turntables people have no idea how fantastic their systems would sound if they have not tried Basis interconnects and speaker cables. I am amazed at the huge leap I obtained when switching my system over to Basis cables and now I can no longer find any faults or weak links in the performance. For the first time I can sit back and simply enjoy the music without driving myself crazy trying to figure out what needs to be changed and what I should try next (you guys know what I mean). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BASIS AUDIO CABLES! |
|
First of all I'm going to assume that by size you mean girth, not length? Size does matter, but what matters more is how much you enjoy the overall performance....I'd be happy to make you a custom set of X-32s or X-16s (half copper) covered in 2 inch diameter conduit and black mesh. Let me know if you are interested.
Holly |
I have to admint I bought the kimber select silver because of the sound but also the look and reputions. I won't get into detalils but was that a bad move really poor quality on the select stuff. the run of the mill stuff is great but avoid the select especally the speaker cables. |
I went from some Biggest Baddest cables to the thinnest and best sounding that I have ever heard. For 10 years I was using Virtual Mode IC"s and loved them until I took a leap of faith and tried the DNM IC with the HFTN's installed. WOW! these cables are the closest thing to no cable at all. The music flows so naturaly with zero colorations and PRAT galore! DNM has been around a long time and are well worth looking into! |
The only thing to keep in mind with DNM is that they are not shielded and I have found can pick up RF noise, for example if used with switching amps, in some cases more easily than typical shielded designs.
Other than that, they are golden. |
I'm with Mapman
Rodge827, you sound like...... a DEALER!!!! I notice in the speaker forum you recommend OMEGA!!! OVER 25 times!! As an answer to EVERYTHING!!!!! WHILE OFF TOPIC!!!!! LIKE YOU ARE JUST NOW!!!! WOW!
Back to biggest and baddest, please. |
Cwlondon, Thank-you for for your infomative post....I had no idea that I posted 25 responses about Omega speakers...I thought it was only 24...My life is soo much better now!...I will leave you alone to your "fettish" for all cables long and fat...You were talking about cables, weren't you? |
Rodge827,
I said "over 25".
In fact and on review, it looks like you posted thinly veiled advertising for Omega speakers 31 times, with a similar use of exclamation points suggesting an agenda.
You also posted a telephone number of the dealer or distributor, with a tell him I sent you kind of a tone.
As I have said in other threads from time to time, I am very devoted to this forum which began as place for enthusiasts to compare notes and share their experiences and enthusiasm for audio.
Many people here have been unselfishly helping others for years, and offering advice for beginners to get started by recommending bargains on the used market, which also serves the site.
In my view, the founders were wise in knowing that a gathering of passionate and unbiased experts would establish a foundation of credibility, after which they could accept ads, charge classifed fees etc.
In my opinion, the idea was not for people with commercial affiliations to lurk around the forums and try to steer people to products, while masquerading as helpful enthusiasts.
So I will continue to speak out when threads are hijacked by people where a quick review of their posting history suggests shameless self promotion or stuffing the ballot box in response to sincere questions.
In terms of what I described as a "fetish", the definition includes the worship of inanimate objects which are assumed to have special or magical powers - like oversized speaker wire.
I believe your attempt to insult me with a cheesey sex joke says more about you and your preferences than it does about me.
With that, I do hope we can get back to the enduring topic of biggest, baddest audio cables and wish you good luck.
cwlondon |
BAHAHAHAHAHA! Cwlondon you need to get a life!! (oooh a double agenda) I haven't even read all my posts! (agenda) Look dude I recommend what I feel is appropriate to a thread!(agenda) It seems as though you are the Audiogon cop with the frequency of your "DEALER" allegations! (yet another agenda) Even in this thread you have accused some very enthusiastic, well meaning audiophiles as DEALERS! (yep another agenda) You gotta stop that dude or you will turn some very well intended and informative posters away from this forum. (hey a non agenda, go figure?)
As for your answer to my first post, you answered with all capital letters, screaming at me is not a good idea on your part! (serious agenda!)
Audiogon is a profit based enterprise. The forums serve as a conduit to help increase sales through the buzz and Q&A by Audiogon members. The more products are discussed in the forum the more advertising, commercial and non commercial sales will increase. (Duh!)
FWIW I'am in no way a dealer or schill for anything audio. If a product is good, I will say so! (agenda) I've built a very good business through word of mouth recommendations over the last 25 years, and have a stellar reputation for the product that I produce!( OK this one does have a slight agenda going for it)
The comment was meant to be "cheesy", and you bit on it.(DOH!)
This was too easy. You read all of my posts?...Unbelievable!
BAHAHAHAHAHA |
The only expensive i/c cable I've ever bought is Kimber KCAG 18 years ago (and compared with the prices of some these days, they're not wildly costly). Despite a few detours since, I've still not heard anything I prefer.
When I bought Bryston amp's, I had my Kimbers reterminated with Neutrik XLR's for balanced operation but, because I bought the base-level plugs with nickel-plated pins and the job was done by someone who used low-grade solder, it was a backward step that basically spoiled a hitherto excellent cable. So I had them re-done, again with Neutrik XLR's but this time the ones with silver-plated pins. The transformation was very worthwhile and, after a couple of weeks of burn-in (yes, plugs and solder need to burn in too), they sound better than ever, especially in the bass. In the mid and treble they're a bit on the lean side but, in the context of a very powerful system in a less than vast room, that's no bad thing. They aren't champions in the soundstaging/imaging department, but they largely make up for it with excellent transparency, detail, separation and resolution. As I write, I'm just burning in my second pair that I've had reterminated with Furutech XLR's (with gold-plated pins). Whether or not the higher cost of the Furutech's turns out to be worthwhile remains to be seen. What I can say is that Kimber KCAG is better than the vastly less expensive Van Damme Tour Grade Classic XKE Starquad microphone cable that PMC recommend for use between Bryston components, though not by a huge margin so, if you're on a budget and want an excellent inexpensive i/c cable, the Van Damme is as good a place as any to start. Being mainly a pro-audio cable (and used widely in many such applications), Van Damme doesn't get much, if any, coverage in the home audio press, probably because it rivals cables costing very much more, made by companies who contribute significantly the advertising revenues of most of the mag's, but it's certainly a very good benchmark against which to reference costlier alternatives.
Connect Audio in Slough do a very good (and quick) job making up whatever length you may want and terminated with whatever plugs you care to specify. A 1.2m pair only costs about £30, which in this game is peanuts. If, for some reason, I were to be denied my beloved Kimber KCAG's, I could (just about) live with a pair of Van Dammes instead. Connect Audio also have the equipment and skills needed to remove poor quality solder from i/c's that need reterminating using better stuff (they always use WBT silver solder). I recommend tham highly. |
I have recently re-cabled my system w/ Tellurium Q Ultra Black speaker cables, and Black balanced interconnects. I upgraded from some XLO speaker cables, and BetterCables Silver Serpent balanced interconnects. No comparison, the Tellurium's were far superior. In fact, I've compared the Tellurium's vs Cardas Clear, and I liked the Tellurium Q's better, better bass, mids, and smoother (though still very detailed) highs. Well worth a listen. BTW, the rest of my system is Ayre DX-5, K-5xeMP, VX-5e and Wilson Sophia 3's.
Tom |
For me it's jorma origo speaker cables. They are last cable for me. Gone through top end cables from jps labs, kimber cable but the jorma just captures the soul of the music the other cables cannot duplicate, excellent they are. Expensive but worth every cent for similarly high end systems. |
Vmhf, forgive me, but I doubt if you will have them more than two years. I have previously said what you have only to have myself proven wrong. I must have heard the Jorma cables even at this years CES, but personally I doubt if I would be very impressed as they are not long crystal silver and have a charged shield to deal with rfi and emi, like my Exemplar Portal Silvers. I will never say they are the last cables I will have, however. |
I'm not a fan of pure silver cables as they tend to sound bright, and less so of active cables which are a just a gimick imho. You sound like you are not familiar with Jorma cables Tbg and Jorma's sophisticated shielding. I'm not sure why you're making an uninformed statement like.. I doubt if you will have them more than two years. I have previously said what you have only to have myself proven wrong ? I actually know Vmhf and am familiar with his audio journey. Origo are the most organic, transparent and tonaly neutral of cables, yet have a musical soul as Vmhf said. At their price and performance level, imho you would have to spending silly money on your rig to justify higher end cables. Think Magico Q5, Marten Coltrane 2 etc. I recommend reading Robert Levi's PF review of Origo where he compared Origo to his reference KS Elation cables if you want to read up on them. |
Melbguy1, You are certainly right that I don't really know Jorma cables, nor do you know Exemplar Portal Silver cables. Your statement about silver cables reveals limited exposure to quality silver cables.
In saying what I did about how long you might prefer the Jormas, I am merely talking about my experience. I will not participate in "mine is bigger than yours" arguments any longer. Frankly, I will not go out of my way to get a listen to the Jormas anymore than you will to listen to the Exemplars. |
Hi TBG, the key word to pick up from my comments is "I'M not a fan of pure silver cables"...it's just my personal view. I've owned and heard many silver cables and have formed a view based on my experience, so I don't agree with your comment - Your statement about silver cables reveals limited exposure to quality silver cables I think you pretty much summed it up by saying "Frankly, I will not go out of my way to get a listen to the Jormas anymore than you will to listen to the Exemplars"...why then speculate on cables you've never heard by a guy you don't know? |
I may be biased because I have the Quiessence Q1000 Hybrid Bullet INterconnect.
But the Eichmann cables are actually pretty good.
www.eti-research.com.au
ETI's Quiessence have a Qreference, which is said to be their best. rather pricey. but maybe worth a look?
Sett |
Melbguy1, you miss my point. No one can listen to more than a small fraction of available cables. Neither you nor I have enough experience to make definitive statements.
I would merely parrot your question, you have not heard the Exemplar Silver Portals, so you have no way to say the Jormas cables are the best. Have you heard the BMC LLC silvers, the Jade LLC cables, or the Audio Note silver cables? The list could go on and on. Yes, all our opinions are merely personal opinions reflecting our personal experiences. As such verbal opinions expressed in discussions such as this have little value. Of course, neither do review in the magazines. |
Tbg, i'm glad you're enjoying your Exemplar cables. I am in the process of upgrading several of my cables (including pc's) to Jorma Prime. As you said, each to their own.
Cheers,
MG. |
To the topic raised initially, the latest generations of Elrod power, speaker and interconnect cables are both beautifully made (beyond anything I've seen), very large AND they sound amazing!!! |
Stereolab DRAGON. Awesome look, awesome sound, and unfortunately astronomical price. The speaker cables are so expensive they are called "Widowmaker" (that is it could be dangerous to your health if you know who finds out how much they cost). |
dcca pro passion xxl, very nice cable |
Anti Cables and Anti IC's!! Best out there by a mile!!! |
Don't know if they are the best but I just upgraded from my old Monster cable to AudioQuest Type 4 speaker cables and they just made another bump up in sonic quality--more depth and detail. |
Roadtripboy;
Want to discover a new world? Make up some minimum 9awg solid copper things and give them some heavy masssage for about one hour before you starts to evaluate them.
(If you don`t have access to 9awg or more 2-4 thinner is the next best though not as good)
Keep conductors away from eacother to minimise capasitanse & interferense.
This gives close to no resistanse meaning close to no dynamic loss. Why hasn`t anyone thoughrt of this before?
|
The best I have heard are the Stage III Gryphon. They are an absolutely superb interconnect cable. |
A friend of mine has the Transparent Ref. XL MM2 which I have found to be an amazing cable...too bad about the price tag attached to it though! |
Canare or River speaker cable opinion |
I have tried many of the cables listed in this post but the best I have tried to date are the Von Schweikert Master Built Standard power cords (made in conjunction with Dephi Aerospace). They simply bested everything else I have tried. Importantly, there is a step above what I have. |
The Von Schweikert Master Built (by Delphi Aerospace) Signature speaker cables are the best I have used. They are simply across the spectrum amazing.
I would ditto this in regards to power cords as well. I have tried many of the top of the line brands. These are not as well known yet but are the best I have used. |
Hi, everyone knows cables are system dependent,If you want to consider the end game for cables,here are a few names to throw around,,,Tara Labs zereo gold I/C and omega gold speaker cable,,Nordost Odin,,Less Loss cable systems,, and then you have K.S. Elations,, all these cables are very good,I,ve seen people sell the nordost odin in favor of one of these other cables,and I,ve seen the same selling one of these other cables for the nordost,I can tell you Taralabs will be releasing a new top-line cable within a year,last time they did that it was an event!It took 14 years for eanybody to make something as good or better,I suspect the same will happen again!Happy listening!,cheers! |
I would like to enter another cable to the fray. They are from High Fidelity cables and are available in three models. My experience is with the middle level, the CT-1 Enhanced. I will not extol their sound but will say get a listening to these interconnects, speaker wires, and digital cables. Single-ended is all that is available until later this year. There is no silver, copper, or gold in these wires. |
Norm
Isn't it great when a few people start with a clean sheet of paper and shrug off the mainstream rethink and redesign a category that has been circular for years? I have never heard these cables. I applaud Rick and the few others like him out there who think well be on the previous. Tom |
Theaudiotweak, when we note the impact of vibrations on components, much of the impact is in reducing the vibration of a magnetic field altering the current and signal in the cable within that field. I guess it is not really surprising that were you able to encourage the ease of the signal through out its path between components, it would have greater resolution. |
Hi Tbg,What are the conductors made out of with the high fidelity cables?,interesting! |
Right, like resonance redirection instead of resonance isolation which is impossible and only a few have espoused over the years. Tom |
Tbg / Theaudiotweak.....will let you know how Rick's 'Ultimate' speaker cables are in a few days. i am getting a pair today.. |
Not into guns but the whole concept might be like the containment of a high velocity bullet in a cryo'd rifle barrel. Or maybe the focus of the CERN particle collider in Europe. Ask Rick of the material or see his patent for clues.Tom |
Is that the Rick formerly of Virtual Dynamics? |
Audiolabyrinth, it is Mu metal. Mu metal is, of course, usually not used to shield against magnetic fields. I remember some others using Mu metal as conductors for interconnects.
Drubin, yes it is Rick Schultz of Virtual Dynamics. |
hi Tbg,can you direct e-mail me information on these cables?,or how to get more info,thanks, happy listening! |
Audiolabyrinth, just google high fidelity cables. |
