Comments on interconnect cables

zd542: We did the best we could based on my equipment, room, etc. Of course, it is not perfect. No home audio system can match the sound of a live performance.

Zd542: Thanks for the suggestion. I contacted The Cable Company and am waiting for them to respond.

Tjassoc: Thanks for asking those great questions. I listen to classical, jazz, blues, country and new age recordings and streaming (uncompressed Tidal and Pandora). I listen to live music at San Francisco Symphony Hall and Freight & Salvage (amplified and un-amplified Jazz, Folk, etc). I also listen to music at various San Francisco Theaters.

My system was tuned by my local retailer to capture "the image and dimensionality of the performers playing in the room”as much as possible. My Sonus Faber Olympic II Speakers are slightly away from the wall and to the left and right of my fireplace. My equipment rack is on the left side of my living room. The IC cable goes from my Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC to my Luxman L-590ax amplifier. I have a MAC Laptop connected to the Ayre QB-9 DAC using the Synergistic Research Active SE USB Cable (powered). CD's were ripped to my LaCie 3TB d2 USB 3.0 Thunderbolt Series Hard Drive (AIFF Format).

Several people have listened to my system and felt it sounded excellent.

Since my Harmonic technology Magic Link Two IC is 7 years old, I thought it might be time for an improvement. I am asking this question but might decide to keep my HT Magic Link 2 IC's. I am in research mode and in no hurry to make a decision. To be honest, it is more fun to just listen to the music. Thanks again for your input.

Thank you very much for your comments above. I appreciate everyones comments and suggestions. In summary, one person said to "keep what I have", another said "waste of money", another person asked for more information and I received other posts suggesting difference cables (Wireworld, WyWires, AQ Columbia, Harmonic Technology, Time Portal Reference, Mogami Gold Studio, Purists, Zen Wave Audio D4, Darwin Cables, etc).

One Audio member "highly recommended the Darwin Trust interconnect cables". In addition, someone else reported “Darwin Trust IC’s gets his highest recommendation for audiophiles with an above average cable budget, who are tired of pseudo science and cables whose price seems to have no relation to the cost of manufacturing or production”. Someone said “he actually first used his Darwin Trust with the Ayre QB-9 DAC (I have the DSD DAC version) and it blew him away”.

This is amazing (and, yes, is normal for our hobby). It seems everyone I ask about interconnect cables recommends a different product. Of course, everyone has a different opinion, system, room setup and other feelings. Are the Darwin Truth IC's really that good? Darwin Cables reports “in every instance his clients rave about soundstage, micro details, natural dynamics, subterranean lows and delicate, sweet highs. He is also an owner of the Ayre DAC. Yes, he says "Darwin Truth Cables really are that good! We look different because we are different, delivering the purest, most transparent and neutral signal in the business. Most owners report a night and day difference. Every one tells us they hear things they never heard before on recordings they thought they knew well”.

1) Does anyone else have any comments on Darwin Truth Interconnect cables?

2) Does anyone have any comments on the Harmonic Technology Magic Link 3 XLR cable OR the new Harmonic Technology Armour Link 3 XLR cable?

So what am I going to do? I do not know. To be honest, I am gathering information on my income taxes so the interconnect cable decision is temporary on hold. As I said before, I am in no hurry to make a decision. Beside, it is more fun to sit back and listen to music.