Depends how much bite or incisiveness you want as to whether tube type or speaker cables will get you there. If you’re looking for the CJ amp to sound more like the Gryphon I don’t think you’ll get there with either. The Mullard EL 34 are warmer and more laid back than say Genalex KT77 so a tube change like that could help a little bit. Siemens or Telefunken small signal tubes will also liven things up. I’d try changing both tube types individually before cables. The Clear cables will give you more detail but probably not the energy and drive you’re looking for when compared to the Cygnus. I remember when you were seeking advice on the “older” CJ sound. As it turns out, could the more “modern” CJ sound have been what you were looking for 🤔. You can always upgrade the CJ amp to the SE version. Probably not what you want to hear though 😁.
Cardas Clear Speaker Cables?
Fellow Audio Fanatics -
I currently use Cardas Cygnus speaker cables, which I really like. I am thinking about upgrading to Cardas Clear speaker cables.
Can anyone share their direct experience between the two cables? What qualitative differences are there between these two Cardas cables?
For a little more background, I alternate between two systems in my living room. A tube-based system: Conrad Johnson Classic 120 with LTA preamp and QLN Prestige Three speakers and a Gryphon 120 solid state amp with Dynaudio Heritage speakers. I didn’t set out to have two systems, but I appreciate them both. In terms of what I’m looking for with the cable upgrade, I’d like to bring a little more energy and drive to the tube-based system.
Dac is Merason mkii and Innuos Zenith music server. Power cables are a mix of Cardas Clear and Less Loss.
Thanks in advance!
Showing 2 responses by marco1
Agree with @decooney except using JJ tubes 😎. Quite frankly, never used a JJ tube that I liked. They’re cheap and coupled with the fact that your amp needs a bunch of ‘em you’ll be tempted. I just replaced a set of reissue Mullard EL34 with Genalex KT 77 in an amp of mine and based on what I’m hearing they should do what you’re looking to do with your Classic 120’s. Whether it will be enough, only you can determine that. But it’s a good place to start and much cheaper than NOS Telefunken’s or Clear Speaker cables. Oh, but definitely check first with CJ to be sure you can use KT 77’s. |