Cabling Recommends Simaudio Ace/Totem Forest

Wow, you do not mess around!  I’m not familiar with the Sim, but it sounds like an impressive little beast.  Super glad you’re happy — congrats and enjoy!!!

Congratulations. 

Update:  Lots of changes last few weeks, retaining only speakers.

Prior System: Totem Forest Speakers (non-Signature), Krell 400xi integrated, Benchmark DAC 1 USB, Transparent cabling, APC surge protector and TV optical/PC usb.

Updated System: Totem Forest Speakers (non-Signature), Simaudio Moon ACE (integrated, DAC, Streamer), Acoustic Zen Satori speaker wire (single not bi-wire, black to upper, red to lower), Acoustic Zen Tsunami Power Plus power cord, DH Labs jumpers, SurgeX 156 surge protector/power conditioner, Hubbell 8200 outlet, TV optical, apple music bluetooth.  (Will give Tidal a shot now that this is all set.)

Impressions:

- Was quite concerned that little Sim at 50 wpc would be a problem coming from a 200 wpc Krell.  Absolutely not an issue, I've barely had it above 55 and it goes up to 80.  Granted, NYC apt but reasonable size room  (13x21ish). 

 - Background is much blacker/silent.

- Bass tighter and faster

- Dynamics more pronounced (from quiet to loud and fast - possibly result of less noise in system overall). 

- Detail enhanced (wife even commented on this).

A lot of this was the Sim but then added in the AZ cabling/DH Jumpers and noticed further improvement in these areas.

The little Sim is an impressive piece of kit and really easy to use for both TV and streaming at a reasonable price for all it does.  Inputs/volume/etc can be controlled from Iphone.  Sim's new North Collection looks quite amazing and would be cool to check out (it has corresponding amazing price).

Appreciate everyone's helpful guidance with a special shout out to Soix for AZ and DH recommends!

Dokosan

Great!  Look forward to your impressions, and definitely do a free trial of Tidal or Qobuz asap.  Love your speakers BTW. 

Going with the AZ Satoris and the DH labs jumpers as Soix recommends.  Looking forward to their arrival in a week or so. Will post update

Also, looking a picking up an AZ Tsunami power cord.

Thank you all for your guidance!

I’d reiterate my prior recommendation for the AZ Satoris and would add these DH Labs jumpers as they’re very likely an improvement over stock and you’d still be within budget.  
 

https://silversonic.com/products/speaker-cables/bi-wire-jumper/

10% discount if you submit your email address.

Totally fair point.  Some of this is early onset upgraditis disease!  More to the point, detail while maintaining coherence/overall musicality the target.  Admittedly, this is rather vague but not sure how else to explain.  Thanks again!

And your vote for pick of the litter is??? 

That’s really gotta be your call based on what improvements and sound characteristics you’re looking for.  Read as many reviews as you can and pick the one that comes closest to providing what you’re looking for.  If you share more specifics about what improvements/sound characteristics you’re looking for you might get more input here.

All - Appreciate the input.  A few comments.

Interesting on Tress, have heard of it before but seems hard to find so good to have Chord alternatives.  Definitely need to add "real wire" jumpers and Chord looks like the right way to go.

Currently available are: Acoustic Zen Satori, Cardas Neutral Reference bi-wire, Cardas Cross bi-wire or Cardas Clear Light single wire.  The AZ seem to be the current configuration whereas I believe the Cardas are at least one generation removed from current.  And your vote for pick of the litter is??? 

Thanks, Dokosan

I had TOTEM FORESTs in a prior system, so I know their strengths and warts very well.

OPTION 1

They were internally wired with TOTEM’s own TOTEM TRESS speaker cables. The TRESS were essentially knockoff copies of the CHORD RUMOUR and CHORD ODYSSEY speaker cable models: Litz stranded silver plated over copper. The ODYSSEY are identical to the RUMOUR but twice the gauge thickness .(NOTE: The current models are RUMOUR X and ODYSSEY X )

I had the TRESS speaker cables : the extended internal to external cabling using identical speaker cable synergy was intuitive ,

OPTION 2

TOTEMs are well documented as power hogs. SIMAUDIO amps are an ideal match for them, as both SIMAUDIO and TOTEM are sited both in Montreal, and both are used to voice each other’s product offerings.

For me ,a full bi-amping was a clear step up from simple cables bi-wiring. I never found the lattter philosophy to work best for me: rather my upgrade to a second separate power amp and full separate speaker runs to the woofers independent of the runs to the tweeters really opened the FORESTs to their max.

In any case, should you elect to go single speaker wire and jumpers, , DO GET quality jumpers made from quality speaker cable as a quality upgrade to the standard jumpers. The OEM supplied ones really did suck.

I compared the CHORD RUMOURs to the TOTEM TRESS in an A-B bakeoff with no apparent performance difference . That’s not surprising given the knock-off similarity with similar gauge and same Litz strand silver over copper construction. Frankly, the CHORD were my slight preferred only because the insulation visually appeared a bit better….but not a big deal

FWIW.

Second the AZ’s, they made a big difference in my system.

These AZ Satoris are very good all-around cables and easy to sell if they don’t work out for some reason, and definitely get a Qobuz or Tidal subscription.  Best of luck. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650101365-acoustic-zen-satori-8-speaker-cables-spades/

I would have to say given your input Cardas, the best you can afford. Definite wait and buy used. Given your equipment I would think stay below $1K… maybe $500.
 

These should be natural sounding and add a bit of heft to your system while delivering detail.