I'd love to try a balanced pair of ICs. Can anyone point me to a dealer? Thanks! |
Hi Jet,
Yes, I understand your situation. Both brands do share a reputation for similar qualities/character. I had seriously considered the Japanese Kondo silver cables. I found a thread on this site where a former dealer of both brands said he and several customers preferred the Ocellia. Given that and the Kondo's higher cost I just went with Ocellia Silver Reference. No doubt that different ears/taste and system configuration may lead to one over the other. Likely can't go wrong with either of them.
Charles, |
Charles, I didn't actually own all those cables. Most of them were ones I auditioned courtesy of The Cable Company. The Audio Note cable belongs to my son so I was able to use it for a few days when he was visiting. The only one I actually bought was the Sablon Panatela and I ended up returning it since its sound was not what I was looking for.
I bought the Ocellia based entirely on Charles1dad's recommendation, and I have been very pleased with it. |
Well that's just the thing about the Kondo cables that I'm trying they are very natural and organic and they get out-of-the-way and present music and air and space and instruments and very harmonious way. This is just how you guys are describing the Ocellia cables. This is why it's super important that I try both while I still have the Kondo so I can decide which version of natural and organic I want. I read that some prefer Ocellia over Kondo but why? |
Sal,
That's an impressive list of ICs you have owned. IMO The best attribute that stands out regarding the Ocellia is its pure natural sound. Relative to it, most other cables sound more toward a "hifi" sound. Ocellia just seems to get out of the way. Natural is the highest compliment I can give to an audio product. |
Jet,
I can strongly recommend the Ocellia Reference. I use a set between my phono preamp and linestage, and they are the best sounding cable I have tried in that spot. I haven't heard the Kondo but a few years ago I tried Audio Note AN-Vx as well as Sablon Panatela, Wireworld Platinum 6, and High Fidelity CT-1, and none of them impressed me the way the Ocellia does. That was before I bought the Ocellia so I did not compare it directly to the others. |
Charles,
I totally understand. I'm just infected from the other cable thread. As for ICs, I'm in love with my Darwin Ascension ICs so I'm kind of with you when it comes to ICs: silver seems to be the best in my system as well.
But tinned, stranded copper has made me a believer when it comes to speaker cables.
All the best,
Nonoise |
Hi Nonoise,
For clarification I haven't used or heard the Belden or the Western Electric
NOS cables. Various people on this site seem to be very impressed with
them however. I truly adore the Ocellia but there are so many cable brands
available that I'll never hear them all. I'm happy with my current sound.
Charles, |
Nonoise,
Testosterone + Caffeine + Audiophilia can be impulsive.
We understand :) |
Gareneau,
My bad. In my enthusiasm for the speaker wires I overlooked the section on the Belden and neglected to mention to take a look at them. That, and a strong cup of coffee makes me do strange things, indeed.
All the best,
Nonoise |
Nonoise,
I'm confused by this - "....check out the thread right under yours on really good cables at a really good price. There are many out there trying some NOS Western Electric 16ga wire that seems to rival and better a lot of what's out there. Charles1dad, who has the Ocellia Reference cables really likes what he's hearing with the WE 16ga and now that it's broken in, maybe he can chime in if he sees this thread."
I thought the NOS Western Electric 16ga wire was used for speakers and the Belden 8402 wire for ICs. Did I miss something? |
Cables are a much better investment than women. |
Sometimes it's best to just know what you know and be content. |
To me interconnects are like women.
I don't have the patience to try a bunch of different ones.
I just want to wait for a GOOD one and plug in and fall in Love long term:) |
Jet, check out the thread right under yours on really good cables at a really good price. There are many out there trying some NOS Western Electric 16ga wire that seems to rival and better a lot of what's out there. Charles1dad, who has the Ocellia Reference cables really likes what he's hearing with the WE 16ga and now that it's broken in, maybe he can chime in if he sees this thread.
All the best,
Nonoise |
Jet, I feel you made a good choice.
These are the brand I plan on trying down the road.
As you probably know Charles1dad is a big fan of these
which had highly influenced my interest.
I have noticed some available here once in a while in the past. |
