Experiences With Costly Balanced XLR Interconnects Above $3,000


I’ve had great success going with quality (and costly) mains power cables in the main system. In my experience power cords bring the most significant difference in comparison to interconnects and speaker cables. However, I have not really tried the best interconnects out there.

I currently have the Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 XLR and an Acrolink 8N-A2080III Evo XLR in the system. Both sound excellent although different in their presentation. I’m wondering if the top-of-the-line WW Platinum Eclipse 8 XLR or Acrolink Mexcel DA6300IV XLR will bring a noticeable or worthwhile improvement to the sound.

Any experiences would be appreciated.

ryder

@soix i recently upgraded a mains power cable and was pleased with the improved sound quality. It is sounding quite perfect at the moment but I’m not sure if the system could improve further with a higher quality interconnect. If it’s possible I would like to have a more dynamic presentation with better clarity and separation across the frequency spectrum. Perhaps a slightly airier and lit treble as well. The cables I’m looking at are quite rare in the used market so I’ll have to buy new if none are available. They will be my final cable upgrade when the time comes.

@akg_ca thanks for the post. Good to know the Cardas Clear XLR is superior to the Nordost Frey.

 

Given what you’re looking for I’d try these, and if they don’t work out just sell them for little/no loss.  They excel at 3D soundstage, detail, air, but don’t throw it at you and present music in a very natural and organic way.  Give’em a shot and I think they could be your end-game interconnects. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155844408602

Thanks Soix. Guess what, I owned the Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II XLR about 15 years ago and sold them for $300. I see the used price has tripled. 😅 I am not in a hurry and will keep these in mind. Thanks.

I use Transparent for all of my interconnects, speaker cables and all but my amp power cord. I find them exactly that, transparent, dynamic, low noise. I have tried: Cardas (all upper tier), DHLabs, WireWorld, Harmonix, Straight Wire, Nordost (Odin 2 bested Transparent… but at $17K they should have)… and I am sure a couple more.

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