Recent cable experiments have demonstrated two things to me:
1) I like copper better. 2) Unfortunately, while the economy brands are very good, it is possible to do better.
I am now in the market for something that will be warm - not bright in the least - and full, yet detailed. And I do seem to favor solid-core wire (single or more than one, individually wrapped) to stranded.
Warm speaker cables in my system were older MIT 2 and Audioquest Indigo and Sumiko OCOS. When I say warm I mean they had less resolution and transparency. I really like the Signal Cable Ultra cable, cheap, detailed and a pleasing bass response which is my definition of warm. You don't want a lack of transparency and detail.
Glad to hear some posters mention the Straley's. I believe I'm headed there next.
Another Gregg Straley Reality Cable convert here. Plenty of feedback and valuable information on A-gon and other sites. I got 'em and haven't looked back.
Consider the Oyaide PA-02 ICs. Furukawa manufactured continuous cast copper wire, about $130 per 1m pair (won't lose much in resale) - what's not to like for a trial?
I whole heartedly second all of Gregg Straley's Reality Cable products. Fantastic bargain and amazing performance. Transparent as all hell and super detailed without harshness. However be careful with his tube interconnect, it doesn't work with all tube amps (like mine: an Art Audio Carissa). His speaker cables are THE BEST (certainly for the $$$).
fwiw the one time I listened to Cardas Golden Cross with my Maggie 1.6 speakers I hated it. It was the most lifeless sound I ever got from my stereo. Maybe it would be better in someone elses rig who knows...
I had a pair of golden cross 1 meter RCAs for about two weeks. They were anything but warm. I was pairing them with a Musical Fidelity A308 Integrated and a Benchmark DAC, conditioned through Shunyata Taipan Helix cords and Hydra conditioner. The golden crosses were EXTREMELY bright. I then tried a pair of Acoustic Zen Reference II's that did the trick and tamed the upper frequency while providing great resolve. From what I've heard this is opposite of expectations, as the AZs are a silver/copper blend compared to the Cardas all copper design.
In the end, I sold the A308 Integrated and picked up a Sunfire TGA5200 to simplify my setup. Now I realize just how warm (and truly resolving) the Musical Fidelity A308 really was. For solid state I'm not sure I'll find anythign that matches it and I've tried Rotel, Outlaw, Anthem (A5) and now this Sunfire (which I'm leaning keeping as it's holding the compromise well enough between HT and 2 channel).
i read george cardas description of golden cross. there are two points.
he did not say the cable was colored , or not neutral.
he did not define "warm". perhaps the whole problem is my definition of warm as a coloration disagrees with the connotation that others have of the term, and therefore, the reason that i do not observe components to be warm is based upon my definition of warm.
this is not philosophy, this is definition.
i will agree with one point ,namely if i have not experienced any "warm" sounding cables, it is obvious i cannot recommend any. if tvad, that is indeed your point, you are correct.
07-24-08: Tvad Having read your submissions over the years, I believe it's safe to say that your definition of warm as it applies to audio is off the scale compared to how most readers would define warm if they heard the same cabling in the same system.
Well, at least it's better than the usual line "There is no such thing as a warm cable, or bright cable. They do not exist.....". In this aspect I agree that Mrtennis's participation in this thread or other similar ones, is of no value. No offense intended.
Apart from the universally-accepted Cardas being a warm cable, Van den hul also applies.
if one agrees on the definition of warm as a coloration, it follows that my preference has nothing to do with my perception.
manufacturers do not want to expose themselves to the criticism of reviewers when they design a product which has obvious coloration. george cardas will tell you the golden cross is a neutral cable.
if i have searched for "warm" sounding components. i don't believe they exist. if they do they are not in current production, or they are confined to a few single ended triode amps.
preference and judgment are two separate phenomena. in fact one should trust my judgment, because i feel i am qualified to identify "warmth" when i hear it.
my aural acuity has never been questioned, rather i have been criticized for my preference.
look at this way, if some one does not like a solid state amp, and then recommends one, pay special heed to that recommendation, as it probably is something special.
ihave auditioned and reviewed many sets of cable and have yet to have heard a "warm" cable, consistent with the definition. i have come to accept and live with a balanced frequency response.
I would suggest ( since I have used them ) the Ridge Street Audios " Midnight Silver " edition of cables ..I used them myself and liked them very much..I realize they are not copper but you would never know once you have heard them...Also should be in your price range and have a return policy..........
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