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FIM Gold: Flexible Alternatives.

I have tried so many hi-end and some ultra expensive power cords over the last few years. They all had their strong points but none never seemed to justify their price. Most lowered the noise floor others hi-lited parts of the frequency response etc. But nothing made me stop and say "WoooooooooW, now that is a big difference that is undeniably better in terms of micro-macro dynamics, apparent super speeding up the presentation (sort of like going from conventional dynamic speakers to the Avantgard Duos (you know what I mean if you have heard those horns properly set up)" when I hooked FIM Gold Power Cords to my amp and preamp.

BUT....they are the biggest pains in the behind to work with. Like bending a relatively thick, solid metal rod. If you used them you know what I am talking about. Has anyone done extensive comparisons to other cords and come up with alternatives that bring the same level of musicality (blinding speed, power, black noise floor etc). I have used these cords with a variety of equipment and they always do their trick. Otherwise I would not put up with their Ironman ways. These are incredible incredible cords and will keep them unless there are REAL alternatives.
nanderson
brianw
373 posts
 
Winston Ma of FIM sold off his share of FIM cables to his business partner and Garth Leerer of Musical Surroundings. Their new name is Cable Research Labs. This took place about a year ago.

I'll note that it took less than 1 hour for a Musical Surroundings employee to install a complete system with Cable Research Labs Gold at this last years' CES show. Many of you may remember the room layout; Over 8 power cords, 6 pairs of interconnects and a pair of speaker cables. I'll add that the speakers used were the wonderful Vandy 5's which require additional cabling to the amp section of the active sub. I guess it takes a longer amount of time for some, but 6 hours for one pair of speaker cables may be an exaggeration. Sean at Musical Surroundings must be a super athlete!

I'm sure that you can buy less expensive cables than the CRL, but I haven't heard anything that costs less that has its' transient reponse/dynamics/focus.
nanderson OP
291 posts
 
It has been said in many places but "bears" repeating again within the context of this thread: "Taste in music and its reproduction is an exact parallel to taste in food: What makes it right is person dependent." (maybe we should call this the "Goldie Locks Rule of Audio", see developing rational that follows). There may be similarities between groups of people's taste but there is always the added red pepper, olive oil or french dressing, or lack of the above that makes the salad "just right"(after GL and the 3 "bears"). For me the unique character of the FIM PCs is their incredible micro-macro dynamics, blinding apparent speed. Others do background exceptionally (the spinach) well but none launch the sound, IMHO, at blinding speed and rate of decay like the FIM cables. Makes for an extreme fun factor for me. In the same manner, thats why I wish those darn Avantgard speakers could get the bass integration right at Duo prices. I don't think there is really a superior for everyone just more right for you at that point in time. Lord knows how my tastes have changed in so many ways since I got wrapped up in this hi-end journey back when the Beatles landed in the USA (1964).

Think I will just do more arm work at the gym according to the general thoughts of the above dialog. Thanks again guys !
emc1's avatar
emc1
1 posts
 
the new bmi whale supreme is the solution. Outperforms the fim gold, & elrod signatures. Plus even though pretty big the whale supreme bends easy and gives an extremely tight fit.

Jimmy Ho Meng
Hong Kong
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
if you're gonna' start a thread, best read the responses thereto before posting a stupid "all's well that ends well" as an intended "capper."

-cfb
barrelchief
294 posts
 
A related question for the die hard FIM fans...

I have Rowland model 12 monos.

It has been recommended that the ultimate match up is the FIM Gold PC w/ the Rowland amps.

What is your feeling about IC's and sprk cables...are you loyal to FIM's other cables in addition to the power cables?
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