The most detailed speaker cable??


Hello All,
I would like some help in chosing a new set of very detailed speaker cables. I want something that is I guess on the bright side. I have used so far... AZ satoris,AZ holograms, Nordost red dawns, AQ bedrocks, kimber 4tc just to name a few. So please help in my search based on your experience with speaker cables.
Thanks
harnellt
You know Rsbeck, you make me sick. After listening, that's right, listening to 100s of cables over the years, the concept that I am just fooling myself about what I hear is absurd. I do not pick the most expensive cables, I pick what I like. You want us to think like you, for what reason? Are we not intellegent enough to make our own choice? Are we all fools? Do you think your intellect is superior to ours? What are your qualifications? How much time do you spend listening to music, making music, and appreciating music versus trying to prove your point. Just go away.
Rsbeck: The only way that you could you have a frequency response chart for a speaker cable was if the speaker cable itself was the terminating load. Otherwise, the electrical characteristics of the speaker cable combine with the electrical characteristics of the individual speaker being used. It is this total load that the amplifier sees and responds to. Given that every amp has a different output impedance and a different level of stability, each amp / speaker cable / speaker load will be slightly different. This is also why i referenced Thevenin's Theory in another thread. If you want to see differences in transient and amplitude characteristics of various speaker cables connected to one specific amp and a specific set of speakers, please take a look at the article that Nelson Pass wrote about the subject 27 years ago.

Once again, i suggest you do some further research on the subject. Finding someone with a Network Analyzer that is willing to work with you will not only blow your mind, it will help you to better understand what you and the other "guru's" that you so dearly trust are currently lacking in understanding on the subject. The figures that you keep quoting are but a small piece of the puzzle and poorly interpreted at that. Sean
>
Rsbeck, An Addendum: When I spoke of other things vague in audio, I was actually thinking of some of the audio tweeks that companies offer. Also, I thought that you might like to see some of the more recent claims that Siltec made (although you might have already run across what I posted). That's why I posted it. Best, Stan
Rsbeck, Yes- About a year ago, I decided to change from single-ended to balanced. I switched to a Bat vk5i preamp, which is a balanced only design. The Siltec FTM4sg could not be changed to balanced, due to it's ribbon design, but I did have my Siltec SQ80b interconnect (cd to preamp) changed from single-ended to balanced. And yes, although I've tried other interconnects, I keep returning to Siltec. Thus, the balanced Siltec SQ 110 Classic. I've read some of Siltec's claims, including thier shielding claims, but mainly I just listen and compare. As far as vague goes... there's more than just the cable companies that are vague about things in audio. Well, best wishes! See you at the next watering hole. Happy trails, Stan
I get up there once in awhile -- that'd be great. I'd like to hear your modded 3910 -- are you happy with it?
Right on, Rsbeck. And if you're bringing the beer--Sacramento way--I'll make dinner & provide the tunes.
>>our shielding effect reduces the noise floor by 40-60db"<<

Compared to what? Non-shielded? An inferior brand? If so, which?
boa -- no prob. Sometimes it takes a few interchanges to get where everyone is coming from. If we were all sitting around a table with beers in our hands, it'd be a lot easier.
>>Is all this true? who knows.<<

Talon -- we agree on a lot of things! Congrats on your system, I'm glad you've found stuff with which you're happy.

Was your FTM4-sg shielded?

Did you replace some other gear and is that why you were able to switch to balanced interconnects?

Are you saying you were already a purchaser of Siltech interconnects, bought more and you were unaware that Siltech's major marketing angle is that they claim to reduce EMI and RF inteferrence with their shielding?

Again -- I am glad you're happy and I am not going to try to talk you out of those cables -- that ain't what I am about at all.

But, for me, I would want to see some of these measurements and comparisons to see what they're talking about.

On their web-site, they claim ---

"For the first time in studio cable history, many of these improvements can be measured and proven."

Yet, they fail to give measurements or any back-up to "prove" their claim.

Shielding against EMI and RF is extremely common in interconnects.

Sort of like Vitamin D in milk.

There's nothing in their literature to explain how other cable shielding is noisy, which cables they are comparing, etc.

If what they say is true, I wonder why they wouldn't include this information.

They claim it can be measured proven, then they don't measure or prove it.

All pretty vague.
Rsbeck,
I'm humbled by your efforts. Maybe they were clear before, and if so, sorry I missed your intention in the beginning.
Howard
My point earlier was that if he does want speaker cable that's brighter, we
ought to make sure he gets one that *is* brighter. Some things are certainly
measurable. If there is a cable that is audibly brighter, it will show on a
frequency response chart. Before laying down the dough on the cables, we
ought to get a chart and see the frequency response. Any cable manufacturer
who wouldn't provide this kind of info would not get my business! Many
people experience a little brightness as extra detail -- no harm in that. But, if
brightness is his desire, why *not* throw a graphic equalizer into the mix of
things to consider? Yes, the room could also be deadening the sound.
Maybe he would prefer some speakers with metal dome tweeters, or with a
bump in the high end. Let's look at everything. Put it all on the table and
compare -- pick the best strategy.
Grant,
I'm in complete agreement. Now will you PLEASE accept that nomination to the Supreme Court? A soothing voice of reason, you are indeed.
Post removed 
Rsbeck, I agree that money is better spent on components, room acoustics, and dedicated A/C, than on cabling. But I also think that cabling makes a big difference in a system. I don't read the hype that you talk about. I just try the cable. But... About a year ago, I needed a cable that was balanced and longer to replace my 0.5 meter Siltec FTM4sg single ended interconnect. I tried 6 interconnects that were on loan. The one that stood out above the rest was the Siltec SQ110 Classic. I bought it. I use this between my preamp and amp. It's biggest asset was lowering the noisefloor in my system. At any rate, here's the hype on this cable. I just pulled out the booklet that came with it. "our shielding effect reduces the noise floor by 40-60db" "total noise is limited by the electronics used (typically 90-130 db)" "the theoretical signal-noise level of our new technology is on the order of 160-180db"-- Is all this true? who knows. I just know that it worked very well in my system. I gained more clarity, microdynamics and musicality compared to my already good interconnect. So you were asking about a cable? In spite of some of the hype, I choose Siltec, for thier unique technology of using gold and silver. And yes, I think that cabling is probably the most overpriced "component" in the audio chain.
Grant, I completely agree. And given the variables Harnellt's system (absent the unanswered issue of room treatment), I would again recommend silver speaker cables. I've tried six different cables in my system, and the differences between copper and silver were not even close. As well, the variations in detail and transparency amongst the copper cables were not marginal either. Does this mean that I have the answer to his dilemma? I don't know.

In response to the suggestion that one of the components might be the culprit here, which one would it be?
AR cd3
Pass alpeh P
Pass X-150.5
with AZ silver ref. xlr
Joseph Audio RM22si MK2

His system seems capable of producing the detail he is after, but in my experience the speaker cables listed in his initial post will not translate the same level of detail that silver will. And as far as treating the room, doing so in our house did not enhance the effects of brightness, but rather tamed it instead. Again, just my experience.

Harnellt, let us know what you discover.
I have to agree with Rsbeck -- completely. Putting aside the placebo factor, in all truth you'd be hard pressed to find something better that -- drum roll, please -- 14 gauge low voltage lighting cable from Home Depot. Approximately 15 cents a foot. Well-shield, super-well constructed, very pure copper, does the trick. Don't believe me? Roy Allison and the fine folks at McIntosh all have the same thought. Power cables? Give Dusty at CI Audio a call -- he's an extremely thoughtful, honest designer and recommends, drum roll, please, normal computer power cords from Radio Shack.

Yes, a dedicated line is a great idea, and a better outlet is certainly a good idea.

Otherwise -- snob and placebo factor aside -- the money one would invest in expensive cables would make much more of a difference, as Rsbeck has said, in components, especially your amp and speakers.
Post removed 
Sorry, Rsbeck. By the time I posted my comments, you had written a second time.

The first thing is to try to make a diagnosis of the entire system to see where the problem might originate.
If a problem is identified, we should investigate a little to see whether or not the disagnosis is sound. If a solution is offered, we ought to be able to debate whether or not it will solve the problem.

I certainly agree. Perhaps I misread your earlier posts, because I came away with the impression that when it comes to cables, your conclusions circumvent the need for any debate at all.

Each of us responds to the author's question based upon our personal experiences. And in my experience, moving from copper to silver cables produced exactly the result sought by Harnellt. I say that except for tying up a few bucks in used cables, he has nothing to lose by experimenting. If it is indeed a debate at hand, then such discoveries are hardly settled. There are no absolutes that apply to every one of us, except maybe what'll happen if you change an outlet without first cutting the power.

All I'm trying to say is that the findings of others are not nullified by your (or anyone else's) contentions. If I interpreted your comments as such, I apologize.
It would seem that Rsbeck that you're here only to refute and recruit. I'm just not interested in playing king of the hill. Changing the channel now, thanks...
I do not have any such position that all cables sound the same.

The position I have taken is that if someone comes to this forum looking for help, the best thing we can do for him/her is to look at the entire system, including the room.

Sorry, but I disagree with the notion that -- because a poster thinks he/she needs cables to solve a problem that we have to limit our suggestions to cables.

If I post a problem to this forum, I expect to get suggestions from people who follow all different approaches. It is up to me to sift through them all and make a list of things to audition, approaches to consider, etc.

The first thing is to try to make a diagnosis of the entire system to see where the problem might originate.

If a problem is identified, we should investigate a little to see whether or not the disagnosis is sound. If a solution is offered, we ought to be able to debate whether or not it will solve the problem.

If only cable enthusiasts are allowed to respond, it gives a false impression -- that there is a concensus that cables are the problem and the solution. Since we don't all feel this way, there will be debate.

The controversy isn't going to go away no matter how much we may wish it so.
I've addressed the question posed by the originator of this thread.

If you don't like to see other threads hashed out again in this one, then you
need to voice your disapproval to Sean, who posted a link to another thread
and started that argument all over again in this one. We already had a thread
for that argument.

Seems to me we were having a nice conversation in here until that.

And -- yeah -- it is a nice idea that we might "exchange
information" without disagreeing, and clearly it can be fatiguing to
listen to opposing viewpoints, but come on, imagine what you'd think if I
asked all of the cable believers to stop posting so I could enjoy a less
fatiguing exchange of information.
Rsbeck,
You've made your point. In fact, you've made your point repeatedly in this and numerous other threads. But what does this have to do with the question of the author? You are firm in your beliefs, and have found an answer that works for you. I say that's terrific. But it's terribly fatiguing to jump into a thread for a lively exhange of information only to each time be blasted by your attempts to convert the wayward cable-ites. Clearly, you're an intelligent person, one who knows far more than I do about the science behind this hobby. I'm only asking if you might see your way to kicking the conversation forward, maybe just for the sake of musical enjoyment? Thanks for considering it.
>>If you can honestly hear a difference<<

Honestly hear a difference? Sorry, but sighted tests carry no weight -- see the Dunlavy tests referenced above.

>>those differences have to be measurable using the proper tools and test methodology.<<

If the test is based on the idea that one cable has an audible roll-off because it is .088 db down at 20Khz when driven into a 4 ohm load, you've already got a faulty test.

If you don't know the frequency reponse chart of the other cable, you're shooting in the dark. If it isn't perfectly flat, then what will it tell you? What if the frequency response shows that the other cables are bumped up in the high end? Then, what do you know? That cables with a bumped high end sound different than ones that are audibly flat?

Two words: Who cares?

>>lessens your credibility.<<

Obviously, we have vastly different ideas about what consitutes credibility.

>>Eldartford is both an engineer and a cable skeptic, yet he's open minded enough to try such a test.<<

Because Eldartford has a DIFFERENT issue. He wants to see if they sound different.

You've never bothered to notice what position I have taken, you simply blunder in and start arguing with ghosts about whether or not cables can sound DIFFERENT, even though I've written in each thread that it is possible for cables to sound different.

But, that doesn't make .1db down at 20Khz any more audible.

Sheesh.
>>I simply asked you to listen to some cables within the confines of your
system and see if you heard a difference.<<

See -- here's another problem. The thread was not about whether cables can
sound different. I believe cables CAN sound different. In this thread alone, I
told the poster that if he wanted tonally BRIGHT speaker cables, or added
BRIGHTNESS in his system, he should do the minimum -- get a frequency
response chart of any proposed cable.

The issue was whether or not .1 db down at 20Khz is an audible roll-off.

In my experience with Sean, he has chased me from thread to thread telling
me about this "ROLL-OFF." Of course, he didn't specify the
"roll-off" so I looked up the information and posted links to
frequency response charts which showed that this "roll-off" is
.088 down at 20Khz.

Great -- another bogus cable claim.

Sorry, but when you do stuff like that, credibility goes bye bye.

So, Sean tells me that he can hear this "roll-off."

Great -- another bogus cable claim.

If he wants to concede now that he can hear no such thing, we can at least
get to some semblance of reality. We'll see.
>>It was flat. Why? It was proven, scientific knowledge at that time.<<

Uh, no. It was the mythology of the time. It was scientific investigation that
proved the world is round.

When you investigate the claims made about cables -- you end up laughing.

Look -- put up a cable and tell me why I should admire it. What does it do?

It sounds good?

John Dunlavy used to do a test where he would invite audiophiles and audio
critis to his lab, position techicians behind speakers, show the audience Zip
Cord and the audience would be unimpressed, then the technicians would
switch them with exotic speaker cables and the audience would wax poetic
about all of the huge improvements and changes they were hearing. Only
problem -- the cables were never changed, it was Zip Cord all along.

Cable testimonials aren't convincing.

Not to mention the way people talk about cables.

I was in a thread where a guy wanted more bass. People recommended
cables. I asked him about his system and it turned out he was using
bookshelf speakers. I suggested he buy full range speakers and cable
enthusiasts became agitated and told me I didn't understand what cables can
do. Uh.....yeah. I don't think they can make bass in a speaker without bass
capability.

Magical thinking. Weird non-sequiter insults.

Another time someone was recommending thousand dollar speaker cables to
a kid with a $500 system. The kid was complaining his system is too bright.
I looked at the pictures of his system and three walls of his listening room
were celing to floor plate glass windows. I suggested room treatments and
other component upgrades and this drew more bizarre comments.

I find it interesting that people who claim to have such sensitive hearing that
they can be disturbed by inaudible things in speaker cables an overlook
macro problems in their speakers and rooms.

It don't add up.

You get an inch deep in the cable phenomenon and your BS Meter goes off
the Richter Scale.
I do not think that the money you spend is necessarily worth the sound you get especially in cables. But if you are going to tell me that cables make no difference you are just crazy. I was a skeptic as well but over time, and lot's of listening, I have been converted. Remember, the body feels sound as well as the ears hear so there are additional factors at play. I have even swithed out all my power cords. No this must really be crazy but I can hear a difference. There is only one way to go here, try things and make a choice for yourself. Just buy used and you can't go wrong with the adventure.
I'd like to take Sean and Robert E. Greene of TAS and lock them up in a room together and watch the festivities. The esteemed Dr. Greene thinks pretty much like Rsbeck except that he also doesn't care much about source components or amplification. I respect all three of these gentlemen, by the way.

With some audio buddies yesterday, we wanted to evaluate a new IC. The CD player had two sets of outputs, so we used one for one brand and the second for the other brand. The comparison was then done by switching the input on the preamp. The first time through, the system's owner made the switch while music was playing, so "now switching to Brand X", then "back to Brand Y", etc. None of us could hear a meaningful difference. I suggested that the rapid switching was a problem, so we listened to a passage with Brand X and then paused and listened to the same passage with Brand Y. This time through, there were noticeable differences.

My question is this: Which listening procedure is the most flawed? I'm telling this tale and asking this question in this thread because this is exactly what is at issue here. Rsbeck and Dr. Greene would maintain (I'm putting words in their mouths, but indulge me please) that the physics dictate no meaningful differences. Ergo, any differences we believe we hear while listening are imagined or whatever.

There's a sh*tstorm in the Harbeth user's group forum now over the issue of aftermarket bi-wire jumpers. Some users (including me) believe they hear a meaningful improvement when replacing the stock jumper plates with Audience or other third-party jumpers. We have taken considerable harsh criticism from the "scientists", especially REG.

I know we go down this road over and over again in these forums. You don't have to tell me that if *I* can hear a difference, what should I care what the science says. I always make my purchase decisions based on what I hear. Nevertheless, I would like to know what is TRUE because, unlike some audiophiles, I am open-minded to the possibility that my subjective evaluation is not reliable and that I need to temper what I sometimes hear with a pinch of reason.
It looks like this thread took a big turn and went south. Instead of reading analytic white papers, I'd suggest one listens with thier own ears. After all, isn't that what we do... listen? When mariners first set out to sea, people said that they would fall off the edge of the world. It was flat. Why? It was proven, scientific knowledge at that time. And it sure looked convincing on parchment. Well, guess what the earth's round. Listen, listen, listen... Oh yeah... listen. Happy trails, all!
How *does* one solve a non-existant problem
I'd start by being adventurous: bypass the IC connectors and hard-wire b/ween components. Not easy to do when using expensive commercial equipment, I know!
After it's not only the wire that's conducting it's the connectors too: the wire carries what it gets from source connection and the load gets whatever's there after the destination connection.
I never asked you to trade in your cables or that i could hear the difference between -.1 dB down at 20 KHz and a flat response. Both of those are false statements that you use to divert attention away from the real facts of the matter.

I simply asked you to listen to some cables within the confines of your system and see if you heard a difference. If you can honestly hear a difference, those differences have to be measurable using the proper tools and test methodology. As i pointed out in that other thread and explained why, ABX tests are flawed. The same tools that could be used to demonstrate that ABX boxes alter the electrical signal that is fed into the speakers is the same device that will show that speaker cables alter the load that the amp responds to and that is fed into the speakers. The fact that you are afraid to perform such a simple test as swapping one high impedance speaker cable for another high impedance speaker cable while you continue to spout the same rhetoric only lessens your credibility.

Eldartford is both an engineer and a cable skeptic, yet he's open minded enough to try such a test. Are you afraid you might actually hear a difference and have to change your mind? If you have such faith in your "cable convictions", here's your chance to prove it to yourself. Sean
>
That's the thread where Sean claimed he could hear the difference between
flat and .1db down at 20Khz. Sorry, but this is *exactly* the type of thing
that comes with the cable phenomenon.

I'm supposed to trade in my cables because they're .088 db down at 20 Khz
when driven into a 4 Ohm load?

Let's join the real world.

"The psycho-acoustic data shows that for pure tones at 16kHz the smallest
average detectable difference in level is 3.05 dB. The findings were based on
individuals 20 to 24 years old that had normal hearing to 20 kHz." -- Audio,
July 1994

.1 db down at 20Khz is inaudible, folks.

Anyone basing any theory on the notion that he/she can hear this as an
audible "roll-off" has already lost my attention

Ooops -- Sean won't take a test to prove this amazing hearing acuity?

Wow -- what a surprise!

Exactly what I would expect.

Come on, folks, if your BS meter isn't redlining by now, you need to have it
checked.

What are the properties of the new cable he suggests?

How does it solve this non-existant problem?

Who knows?

How *does* one solve a non-existant problem?

This is exactly what I am talking about.

I think we can do better, folks.
Talon: While cost may not be an object to Rsbeck, he refuses to listen for himself and draw his own conclusions, even if it costs him nothing to do so. Instead, he chooses to regurgitate the "hype" that he has been fed by various cable naysayers based on poorly conducted and less than thorough tests. In effect, his responses may come across as both sensible and reasonable in approach, but his actions speak louder than his words. Sean
>

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?fcabl&1112250293&openfrom&1&4#1
Rsbeck, First, let me say that I agree with you concerning alot of what you've been saying. I think that for total system improvement, room treatment and dedicated power- ( I noticed that you too have dedicated A/C lines.) are some of the biggest improvements that you can make. There was a major change in my system when I went to dedicated A/C; as much improvement as an upgrade in equipment. I tried powercords for my preamp a year ago, courtesy of the Cable Company. The powercords ranged from $700 to $1500 list. I tried Acoustic Zen Krakatoa, Acoustic Zen Gargantua, Shunyata Research Taipan, and the Elrod Signiture 2. All these cables changed the system sound, but in the end I preferred the stock cable that came with my Bat vk5i. But... at least I tried these products to see what they sounded like in my system. With all due respect, analytic research is good, but, for me, I prefer to listen with my own ears.
>>You sound as though good quality wire doesn't matter much.<<

Let's be specific. You select the particular speaker cable and tell me what
makes it worthy of adulation.

As you can see by the rest of my gear, money is no object. I can afford the
most expensive cables out there and would if I were convinced they offered
superior performance.

I've looked into all kinds of cables, heard all the hype, and I haven't seen any
claim for "high end" cables that doesn't dissolve when
investigated. Most of the claims I see regarding high end cables aren't just
unfounded, they are laughable.

Speakers have a far more complex and difficult job to do. Listening rooms
commonly have large peaks and valleys -- and yet I see a lot of focus on
cables.

Cable companies have clearly done a masterful job of creating doubt in the
mind of the audio enthusiast about his/her cables. They do this by coming
up with bogus maladies and then you see these myths repeated until they
become accepted.

Next thing you know, you've got a lot of audiophiles feeling like they need
new cables -- when there is no evidence the old one had any problem, that
the new one will cure the allleged problem and without investigating other
areas where real problems are easily documented.

When someone asks for help, I think we can do better than that.

If *I* am going to solve a problem, I first want to make a good diagnosis, then
I want to make sure the "cure" is going to solve it.

I am going to focus on real problems rather than bogus ones that have been
made up by cable marketeers that have no basis in fact.
Rsbeck, I see that you have alot of money tied up in equipment (Meitner Emm Labs, Levinson, Monitor Audio), but there's no mention of interconnects and your speakerwire is listed at $100. Have you tried any of the upper end cables- interconnects and speakerwire? You sound as though good quality wire doesn't matter much. Or am I understanding you incorrectly? There's alot of people that would disagree with you.
Just about any speaker cable of appropriate guage will "preserve that
signal."

The notion that your signal is lost in the speaker cable is something that was
dreamed up in a cable marketers advertising meeting.

The signal is lost in your speaker -- not the cable.

There are rather large problems in just about every speaker and most rooms.

Just about all speakers are only linear +/- anywhere from 1 to 3 db (or more)
and roll off at the extremes.

Cables are far more linear by comparison.

Listening rooms, unless they have been specifically designed for listening to
reproduced music, usually have rather large problems with rather large peaks
and valleys, introduce time smear, boomy bass, hardness in the highs, etc.

No one has ever been able to measure distortion caused by a cable, despite
what cable advertisers say.

Cable companies have done a brilliant job of getting people to focus
suspicion on their innocent cables while ignoring the rest of the chain.

I'd wager that a couple of hundred dollars spent on acoustical consulting or a
speaker upgrade would go exponentially further in fixing what is wrong or
improving the sound of 99% of the systems on Audiogon.

In most cases, money spent on expensive speaker cables -- where improved
performance is questionable and controversial at best would be better spent
elsewhere in the chain.

Regarding silver: The only thing silver has to offer is that it has less
resistance, which means all you have to do is use thicker copper cables to get
the exact same effect.

I think the fixtion on silver is a carry over from people who play musical
instruments. For example, steel strings sound different from bronze, brass
horns sound different from silver, etc.

Cables are not plucked, they do not make music by vibrating -- they just
carry signal. The signal doesn't pick up any sound from the silver or copper.

If you've been using copper and you switch to the same gauge silver cable
and you don't level match, it is possible the silver cable simply makes the
music slightly louder, and any audio salesman knows you can trick customers
into thinking one component is more detailed than another simply by playing
it a little louder. We all know that sometimes just a few ticks more volume is
enough to make the speakers open up and become fuller.

Other than that, there may be some psychological effect from thinking of
silver as shinier, whiter -- and thus more pure than copper which is, of
course, copper colored.
Thank you all for your help. I am going to call the cable company on Monday and try some of the suggestions. I will let you know how it works out.
Thanks again
I think too often people listen to detailed cables and immediately label them "bright" without listening closer. A detailed cable is one that preserves the signal fed to it. The same cables able to properly convey chimes or the brush of a cymbal is also more likely to be able to convey the pitch resolution of an acoustic bass or a piano note as it decays within body of the piano. Timbre will also be improved in these systems because timbre is directly related to reproduction of harmonics and high-freq extension. A cable that rolls off the high-freq extension too soon will never be able get the timbre right.

One other thing to look at is shielding. If your system is in a high emi/rfi environment then shielding will lower the noise floor help in preserving those tiny details. Thereby extending note decay and etc.

My cables are Pure Note Epsilon Reference or Signature or whatever. I'm not a hard-core cable junkie but they definitely make a big difference.
Rsbeck's points are well-taken, as is Tvad's affection for Rsbeck's way of thinking. In my experience, however, going from copper to silver actually unveiled the mids and highs, making what had previously sounded vague and concealed now detailed and present. Of course, the cables don't put anything in the mix that isn't already there. I think Elizabeth said it once, that silver just tends to let through the frequencies that make some people believe it sounds bright, when it is simply being transparent. Sorry if I've misquoted her, but it helps me make my point and ultimately what else is there, huh?

I don't have THE answer, only the one that worked for me thus far. Why not buy some cables used, and if they don't get you the result you want, re-sell them at no loss to you save a bit of your time?
As you can see, many choices. How much time do you have to audition various brands as this will be the only way you will know which works best for you? I replaced my AZ Holograms with Pure Note Paragon but once broken in these cables are not bright or etched, just plain musical.
I agree with Boa2... Silver. Did you try the Nordost SPM or Valhalla? You may want to work your way up the Nordost ladder. I tried six or seven different cables from the Cable Company, before I arrived at my biwired Nordost SPM. Some of the cables that I listened to included Synergistic Resaerch Resolution Reference (discrete biwire), Audioquest Volcano, Wireworld Eclipse (not Silver Eclipse) and Kimber Kable BiFocal- XL. For detail, and in my system, the Nordost SPM was the clear winner of all those that I tried. It's top end is excellent, but I wouldn't call them bright. Also, to Gunbei... Theres no silver in my backyard.... just dog pooh.
Jeez, I visted this thread for a --"my cable,(brand a); is better than your cable, (brand b)"; fight.--Not an education!! --Sort of like, "My mind is made up don't confuse me with facts".--Thanks 'teach'.
In my system, the brightness of the Nordost Blue Heavens complements the warm nature of my Sonus Faber Grand Pianos perfectly.
Post removed 
The most detailed speaker cables will be the ones that are fed the most
information by the front end, pre-amp, amplifier and that feed the signal into
speakers capable of resolving that signal into a room that doesn't suppress
the detail because of some problem or another. Speaker cables aren't
detailed, systems are detailed. If you're not getting enough detail, it is
unlikely the cables are causing this problem.

If you hear "brightness" as more detail, get an equalizer and bump the high
end. You'll have more control over your sound than you will by fishing
around hoping to find a pair of speaker cables that will bump the high end.

If you want a tone control, why not get a tone control? For the same price as
you pay for Acoustic Zen Sartori's, I've got to think you could get a hell of a
graphic equalizer. There are some that can analyze and help solve problems
in your room and give you the ability to make very small adjustments in
narrow portions of the audio band.

Why use a cable for a tone control when it gives you such little control -- IF
you can find one that bumps the part of the audio band that you favor to the
extent you find pleasurable?

With some careful search, you can probably also find speakers that have a
bump in the high end and more than just a fraction of a db, or whatever
you're hoping for from a cable.

Before buying cables hoping they will bump the high end, giving you the
impression you're getting more detail, make sure you get a frequency
response graph proving that the cables in question will give you an audible
bump in the high end. Then, compare the cost of those cables for the effect
you might get versus switching speakers or adding a graphic equalizer.
I have not heard as many cables as many here, but my Pure Note Ceruleun cables gave me the exact sound I was looking for. They were terrible for a week and then the brightness disapeared into perfection. The new Paragons (I think) are supposed to be even better but I have not auditioned them. I think I paid $600 for a two meter bi-wired pair. These are definately worth auditioning.