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Stealth Metacarbon Cables: Anyone ever hear them.

After having such great listening rewards when I put into my system the Stealth Sextet digital cable, I have been wondering what would take place sonicly if I put one Stealth Indra IC in my system.

However, this very highly acclaimed IC is also infamously priced around $6000.00 for a one meter pair! I have been reading about Stealth's new IC called the Metacarbon which is to supposed to give a very healthy dose of the Indra's performance for half the price.

So, my questions to you GON members:

1) Have any of you heard/auditioned the Metacarbon, and if so what were your opinions regarding its sonic performance?

2) I'm planning to put it between my dac and preamp to get its fullest effect on my system. If you have used the Metacarbon, has that been your experience regarding placement in your rig?

3) Any lucky members who use the Indra IC ever compare the performance of the Metacarbon to it, and if so what is your impression of this cable's performance compared to your Indra's?

Please, if any of your Gon members are nice enough to respond to these questions, don't refer me to the online reviews, Six Moons/PFO, I have read them already, I trust GON members experiences/opinions much more then the professional reviewers either on the web or print media. Thanks in advance to anyone sharing their experiences with this cable.
teajay
7 responses Add your response
nutella
223 posts
 
I have a pair of MetaCarbons going from pre to amp in my system. The previous IC in that position was the Jade Audio Gold IC which I have commented on in another thread. I could substitute Stealth and Jade and my comments would still hold true.
Sonically they are cut from the same cloth and I had a hard time distinguishing between the two. What it came down to was the very subtle differences which are basically system dependant. And I mean VERY subtle. I am unable to determine which I prefer and the Jade still resides as a source to pre cable. My preference for the Stealth in that position came down to the fact that it was easier to route from pre to amp.
freejazz
29 posts
 
Teajay,

I have two pairs of Indras and one pair of the MetaCarbons.

I have said many times that if I had not heard the Indras, I would have had no complaints with the MetaCarbons. It is silly to even attempt to guess, but the MetaCarbon is probably 90-95% of the Indras.

The Indras seem to be slightly more extended at both the top and bottom, they are a bit clearer throughout the spectrum and the dynamics are slightly better.

Hope that helps!
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Indra and Metacarbon sound remarkably similiar. In many systems they will be indistinguishable.

Disclaimer: Stealth retailer
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
I hope people are aware that van den Hul makes a metal-free, coaxial single-ended interconnect called The First Ultimate Mk.II using their Linear Structured Carbon fibers, a metallically-shielded version of the same called The First Metal Shield, and a non-crystalline amorphous-metal interconnect called The Integration using their Fusion Technology alloy of brass (copper/zinc) and silver. I mention this not only because vdH was first with the carbon and amorphous-metal innovations, but also because they cost a small fraction of what the Stealth models go for. Whether the vdH sound as good I couldn't say, never having heard the Stealths, but I use their LSC interconnects (including The Second XLR, a twisted-pair carbon-conductor design with a metal shield) and FT speaker cables (The Inspiration Hybrid model) in my system and haven't found anything better. Worth a listen if the (relatively) low price doesn't scare you off.
teajay OP
1,691 posts
 
Thanks guys, this information is helpful. I have ordered a pair to audition and will report back later what happens in my system.

One more question, does the Metacarbon take along time to burn-in before it shines or does this IC sound pretty good right out of the box and just gets better with more time on it?
freejazz
29 posts
 
Teajay,

One quick note in that I must agree with Bill ... the similarities in the cables are much greater than any differences. They can be heard, but I do believe it would take a very resolute system to hear the relatively subtle differences.

I will need to defer on your question. I unfortunately cannot offer experience on the break-in of the MetaCarbons, as I purchased my pair second-hand. They were already broken-in. I did notice that they took about one full day of play to fully "settle-in" sonically for me.

Best,

Freejazz
posbwp555
72 posts
 
I have used two pairs of Indras for about a year and a half. I then was loaned a pair of Jade Hybrid to try. I liked it better than two Indras. I then borrowed a pair of metacarbons, nanofiber and GS50/50. I liked the GS50/50 best with the Indra (the total package with the Indra, very lush and detailed with great dynamics and the best bass I have heard). The metacarbons a slight egde
over the Jade Hybrid (better dynamics). The nanofibres sounded a bit hard on complex dynamic passages. Understand that all these cables were used with the Indra.
When I reversed the cables positions (Indtra on DAC to pre link and GS50/50 on pre to amp link) this was not good. It seems the trailing IC sonic signature is dominant. With the Idra on the pre to amp and the GS50/50 the sound was the best I have heard. When the positions were reversed the sound was extremely soft and sloppy. The GS 50/50 was the perfect balance in my system to the Indra.
My system is all tubed (DAC, pre, amp) The metacarbon is closer in character to the Indra but still added some needed body versus the two Indra preaentation. I hope this is helpful.

Bart
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