Clearsound, I have tried Straightwire Maestro Speaker cables with Martin Logans and Thiels, and with both SS and tube amps. In both cases I was able to compare them with a number of other cables including Straightwire Virtuoso and Kimber 8TC (but no Analysis Plus). Each time the Straightwire Maestro exhibited an appealing smoothness and restraint. But what did not seem right about it was a lightness of touch. Pardon the vulgarity of my metaphor, but it was kind of like when your voice goes up a bit while holding back a belch. Maestro speaker cable sounds as if it could do with a good belch. I would not call it bright, although the Maestro interconnect is bright with a big bottom-end. In fact the only time I have heard the Maestro speaker cable sound OK was on someone else's system when it was teamed with Maestro interconnect. I suspect the big bottom-end of the interconnect helped flesh out the lightness of the speaker cable, and the smooth restraint of the speaker cable helped tame the bright forward nature of the interconnect. But whenever I tried it, I could admire its detail and refinement, but could not get it to thrill me with the music. Carl is right to suggest 8TC. In some systems it can work wonders at a great price. In others it can sound a bit rough. But it always manages to make music. Good luck!
