Cables with Conrad Johnson tube gear

I'm using Pass equipment. I just replaced my Opal Audioquest, with a pair of Tara Air 2's. The tara are much smoother then the audioquest. And prehaps a bit more detailed. I switch back and forth between AudioQuest and Tara labs cable. Depending on how I twink my system. I beleive these 2 company's produce the best. But man this is cable and the price unbeleivable. I sold cables for robotic applications to the Big 3 as well steelMills and we made some extremely exotic cables for are customers. And they were no where near these prices. So hold on the your nuts because it's going to feel like your got kicked there.

I have been using Audiotruth's Opal, which I believe, is no longer available. (I don't know about you guys/gals, but I think Audioquest has gone crazy reinventing their whole line of cables) Anyway, I compared this stuff to Straightwire Maestro, TARA Labs Air 2, and Kimber's PBJ and Hero, and I find the Opal to be a very well balanced, neutral, FAST, open, almost transparent window on either side of my CJ pv11. The Air 2 was good, perhaps a hair better in terms of immediacy, but $500 per meter, whereas the Opal is (was) less than $200. The TARA LOOKS much better, it is very pretty, but come on this is wire. Not to say that their wire is inferior, however, as I have heard it sound GLORIOUS connected to an all SS setup. As far as speaker cables, you guys might laugh, but I am in love with this wierd special application cable, also made by Audioquest, called SA-40. It is solid silver version of type 4, and it is wonderful. For all those individuals out there scared to try silver cables, I warn you, If you find a well engineered one, you'll never go back to, ick, Copper.... Well, I hope this helps. My associated Equipment is: Rega Planet > AT opal > CJ pv11 > AT opal > McCormack DNA .5 > AQ SA40 > HAles Rev 3. Not too shabby, but nowhere near the top of the food chain. I think it is important to find a cable/system match, (not necessarily a "synergy") that takes price/performance relationship into account. I.E. Buy the best sounding cable you can, but dont buy a better sounding cable, unless it sounds better in YOUR system. Some cables that I have heard at the salon are glorious, but their performance can be lost on less than spectacular components. I know this sounds like a given, but I know how I can be, when in the clutches of an upgrade "jonze", at the local audio mart. Take your time. Joe

Presently running Alpha-Core silver interconnects with c-j 14LS into Classe' ss amp. Very nice. May be moving to NBS Monitor series. Remember, synergy is everything. Don't take anyone's suggestion as The Word--audition for yourself and decide.

I have no direct experience with CJ stuff - but have used tube gear (ARC/BAT). IMHO, Transparent cables are the most equipment independent cables on the market and I believe can make significant improvements to ANY system. As Dennis Miller says in closing his HBO specials ... that is my opinion, and, I could be wrong! Good listening!!

I use Alpha-Core silver interconnects and speaker cables and am very pleased with the results with my Premier 12's.