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Transparent Audio Quality

We are most of us familiar with the Transparent Audio brand. I have had a few of Transparent's cables. They have proven to be a very organic, natural, good-sounding cable to me. 
 

A week ago, I got onto Transparent’s site to place an order for spade to banana adapters. Cost $36.00. They look quite similar to generic type brands i have ordered in the past. When my order was placed, I continued to browse. I admit to lusting after the new Ultra (realistic) series. I’ve had Ultra interconnects and speaker cable and as stated, have always liked them, enough to keep them as my main go-to for a long time. These are original versions. I’ve often wondered if the new Ultra are superior - I am sure they are much improved. Frankly the new rca interconnects and speaker cables are a bit beyond my means, although i don’t doubt for a moment that they are worth it.

Continuing, I received the adapters yesterday, and was immediately struck by how much NOT like the generic adapter they were. The plating, finish, and fit of everything was so far superior. For $36! How impressive. It struck me that Transparent is a company that cares about quality. Why else would they go to such lengths on a $36 adapter? I will certainly be thinking of Transparent if I should come into funds that would allow me to enjoy the new Ultras or even higher, the Reference, in my or my son’s system. 
 

What experience have other folks here had with Transparent? How do they differ in your estimation from other cable industry innovators such as Nordost and other notable brands? I would much appreciate the feedback.

Thanks!

 

 

4afsanakhan

Showing 1 response by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,473 posts
 

Transparent are… well, transparent. I bought my first pair, speaker cables about 30 years ago. They sounded terrible on my system: solid state with revealing planar speakers. Twenty years later I bought Sonus Faber speakers with upgraded electronics and the warm cables I had stifled the sound (Cardas Golden Reference). I pulled out the old Transpaent speaker cables and I was shocked at how great they sounded. These were top quality cables, the problem had been my system was way too analytical and tinny sounding.

Since then I have upgraded all my components and what they need is as neutral an interconnect and cable as possible since they are really great sounding components. Transparent is the answer…. I upgraded through Generation 6 Ultra… they are amazing. The difference between generation 5 and 6 is large. Some folks say that the Ultra Gen 6 sound like the previous orpheus. I have almost all Transparent Ultra gen 6 on my system. Fantastic interconnects / cables if you have great components and want to hear them. If they are a bit inferior components I recommend Cardas… they are ever so slightly warm and cover up deficiencies in components.

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