Well, I had a late night music listening and cable juggling session. Sorry for spelling errors, not much sleep. I did compare the two Shunyata speaker cables as follows. My system is not updated so some specifics; Belles Auricap 21A pre and Reference 150A power amps. Dynavector P75 phono. Arcam FMJ 33 CDP, currently using VPI HW19JR TT with AQ PT-6 and Dynavector 10X5, (have a new Nottingham AceSpace and Shelter 501 on order). I use a Shunyata Hydra powerconditioner, Python to the Hydra, Tiapan VX to CDP, Diamondbacks elsewhere. Interconnects are Shunyata Aries RCA and during this session I switched Phono interconnects from Nordost SolarWind to Heimdall, (see narative below for details).
My previous speaker wire was Nordost SuperFlatline Mk II from my previous system.
I first tride the Shunyata Gemini 3m. Construction was beautiful and it is a very pleasing to the eye cable. I used the banana and they are very nicely done. I was very pleased with the sound out of my Arcam, very detailed, musical and engaging. The sound stage really reached out to envelop me. I could hear things that I couldn't before. On Israel Kamakawiwo'ole "Facing Future" the deep deep drum on the first track was not only there but I would hear it as an instrument with creshendo/decreshendo and depth. Detail on Pat Metheny's "Offramp" brought out instruments in a very musical way that that I did not hear before. The hammered dulcimer is an instrument that can be harsh with too forward a system but listening to it on Widham Hills "Appacalacian Picking Society" was a dream; liquid, musical, flowing and with great depth. I then listened to Patricia Barber "Verse" and WOW: speed, immidiacy, depth. Her voice was warm, present and the sound stage was much deeper than I was used to hearing. The width was way beyond my speakers. I was very very excited about these Gemini cables. Now time for the Vinyl!
AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!, what a disappointment. Thin, grainy, I found myself turning the volume down more and more. This was with the Nordost solarwind interconnect between phono stage and preamp. I just got a Nordost Heimdall interconnect and replaced the SolarWind. Though not fully broken in the result of improving the source cable was beyond expectation. I had music again, more and better than ever before. I finally achieved MORALITY, (morality= more tonality, musicality, basality, and every other ality we audiophiles are so fond of). Joss Stone, "Mind Body & Soul" reached out and grabbed me, brought me into the album and was singing to me, could almost feel the breath on my face. The base was so tight, deep and involving. The midrange openned up and I think that was perhaps the biggest benefit from these speaker wire. I wondered about the harshness in the treble but with the improvend interconnect at the LP source the highs were a magical treat. Al De Meola, John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia in "Passion Grace & Fire" a very excitting guitar LP can strain ones ability with highs but with this Gemini/Heidall combo I could crank it up high and the peaks would never be anything but musical and a joy.
I loved these Gemini's!!!
So, now to the Andromeda. The first music played was back to Joss Stone. First a little story. Several years ago I and some freinds went to a Peter Himmelman concert, (If you have not seen Peter live I would highly recommend it). At the beginning of the concert he invited people up with him on stage, it was made up like a comfy living room and perhaps he felt lonely. Well I and two friends jumped at the chance and spent the whole concert up on the stage with him. During one point he was down off the stage near the audience sing a very deep, soulfull song. I held a set of candles near him as there was no lights in the are, due to the wt. I had to stand very close and rest my arm on his shoulder. When he sang not only did I hear the music from the amplification system I was only inches from his face, and could hear, and feel all of the passion, sorrow, and emotion comming directly from him. This is what I heard from Joss Stone when I played the LP through the Andromeda. I was speachless. The music was so "real" present and whole. I could hear the wetness of her lips, the small little breaths during singing. The experience was so intimate that I rather expect a call from her Mum wondering if I will be over for Easter supper.
Not all was bliss from the higher rung Shunyata cable however. I think that was perhaps a little to revieling of my system and with certain rare recordings perhaps a bit too forward. I do not think that this was a traight of the speaker cable but the nature of the system. Not a bad thing but the speaker cable did not sweep anything under the rugs. A wonderfull cable, with outstanding workmanship. If I was looking for a speaker cable for a system a few rungs up the ladder from mine this would be at the top of my "A" list.
In summary, The Gemini's are a wonderfull, musical, detailed speaker wire for my system. They really revieled a weakness in my analog interconnect, which was remedied, and are very asthetically pleasing. The Andromeda's have a similar sonic character, just more of it. Both cables will tell you what your system is doing and I very very highly recommend a listen. I need to also give a thumbs up to the Heimdall interconnect. It is very warm, smooth, and detailed. And it still needs to break in a bit.
Now, if I can only get a pair of Heimdall speaker cables to try.
