(Used) speaker cable replacement suggestions for Virtual Dynamics David?

Glad to hear, Tony.  I need to pay better attention to the date of the post I'm reading.  I thought it was a recent post.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks very much for your kind offer, and the details of your set-up and experiences.

I would be happy to take you up on your offer, except for the intractable problem that I am now living in Europe.

I have also moved forward since the original post, and am using a Hegel integrated amp, along with the larger Harbeth 30.1 speakers. I am currently using an old pair of Audience AU24 cables that I have had for years.

Thanks again for your efforts, though!

Regards,

Tony

Hey Tony,

I have 2 sets of cables that I might think of letting you try. Both are 8 ft. in length. Cerious Technologies Graphene Extreme and Amadi Maddie Signature. Both of these have matching jumpers, if needed. The CTGE’s would not be very good replacements in regards to NOT being thick and pretty stiff, not to mention, heavy. But they sound very good with more meat on the bones sound. The AMS are pure silver and very flexible. They have great detail with no harshness, unlike what you may have heard about silver cables. Both cables are very dynamic. The AMS has defined and textural bass, but the CTGE have a more organic sound.  The AMS sound is more beautiful and slightly clearer. 

I now have Clarity Cable Organic SCs which were much more expensive than either of these. The CCO’s are my end cable in my system and I recently compared them for several weeks against both the highly regarded Cerious Technologies Graphene Matrix and the new Silversmith Fideliums. Both of these speaker cables are outstanding sounding in other systems and also in mine. The CCO’s are just better in my system--very live sound and compared to CEO's most other cables will sound thin in comparison.

I have VMPS RM40 BCSE w/ MLS cabinet speakers that are very detailed, dynamic, and fully adjustable to any room to make them sing.  I'm just about done with my dedicated room in the basement second and final rebuild.  I needed more room for record and CD storage now way in the future, and I have now treated the room with quite a few things to make it sound even more real, without being at all bright.  It even has built in corner bass traps that are proving to be quite good and much less expensive, but are work extensive.  The rear corners traps are huge but will be hidden behind the four 7 ft. tall cabinets I still have to build.  I say this because you stated that your room sucks, so I wanted you to know where I'm coming from.  

Bob

Thanks for your response. Your question is fair, and I don't have a clear answer to give. As both you and I (in my initial post) have suggested, there are several other variables that may well be responsible for my not being quite as satisfied with the current system.

Of course it would make sense for me to try the GMA speakers before switching cables, but the combination of the hassle (they are matched with very heavy Osiris stands, etc.), and the very attractive openness of the Harbeths, lead me in the direction of perhaps trying a different cable instead.

Oddly enough I can't really say that the Davids are lacking in anything in particular, so I suppose I am curious about opinions on other excellent cables that are relatively inexpensive on the used market.

What I can say, however, is that I tend to emphasize the importance of accuracy, imaging, mid-range and highs, and am not especially concerned with the very low registers. 

I think you need to be more clear as to what you expect from the new cables. What is your system lacking?

Also, keep in mind that you're used to listening to time and phase correct speakers. Once you go down that road, its hard to switch back to a more traditional design.