Vitus RI-101 mkII cables recommendation


I have started this thread on the Wam with little success and thought giving a try on the side of the pond 😊

I have just purchased a stunning Vitus RI-101 mkII. With my home system I am not fully pleased with the sound and perhaps different cables would help.
Power cords: Nordost Frey2 and Heimdall2 
Interconnects: dac Frey2, LP12 TQ 2 black diamond
Speaker cables: TQ 2 black

I have read Tara Labs and Entreq work well but not sure which model would suit best my budget and music presentation style. I would like to emphasise soundstage - width especially - and having a sound the least analytical as possible.

Other components: LP12, Rock Nuc i7, dac Holo Spring 3 KTE, Avalon Idea

Budget for interconnects and power cables max $1000 each, speaker cables $3000 for 13 feet.

Thanks a lot for your advice.

ricco275

I've had to google your system.  Looks like your speakers were introduced in 1994.  are all the drivers and crossover components in good shape?  a great amp will still suffer if the speakers aren't performing.  

Unless you have an inadequate power cable currently, a $3k power cable won't get you where you need to go.

Jerry

Cables will help but I"m not sure to what extent, so people who have compared the Nordost Frey2 and Heimdall2 power cords and TQ2 Black speaker cables to other types may be able to provide some insight. The problem is whether the change in sound with cables will bring the impact that you seek.

I don’t have experience with Nordost power cords but use Acrolink top range cords and they sound like what you have described. If you are able to borrow some it may be worth a try. It’s a full and robust sound and smooth at the top with a tube-like glow in the treble. They are costly but used may just fall within budget. 8N-PC8100 or Mexcel 7N-PC9900. Personally I would try power cords on the Vitus and source/DAC first. WIth the wrong cords, music can sound lean and thin, 2 dimensional instead of 3 dimensional.

Good luck.

@carlsbad2 

thanks for checking my system. The speakers are in top condition. The Vitus needs more of a fine tuning than a significant sound presentation change.

 

@ryder 

those acrolink cables must be truly amazing. Unfortunately far of reach even second hand. I thought focusing on power cords first. Need to find cables that’ll work on those aspects but more affordable than the references you’ve mentioned. I need some fairy dust to add a bit of rounder and organic flavour knowing I’m not dealing with tubes.

I suggest you look into Acoustic Revive or Combak’s HIJIRI cables. Both of these brands should mate with Vitus much better than Nordost. And I would start with PC first, then IC and speaker cable unless you can afford to buy them together. 

@lalitk thank you I’ll look into that. Yeah my plan is to work on it from PC and leave speaker cables at the end. I have just tried using a Naim Powerline PC with the Vitus and AQ NRG X3 plus 2 mains stock cables from some components, IC Tellurium Q 2 black diamond and still not impress. Maybe this very amp has some issues or I had too high expectations. The Avalon Idea / Vitus is known to be a good match but who really knows at the end. I enjoy the little McIntosh MA5300 at low volume. Too get some excitement with Vitus I have to turn the volume up too much for my habits.