FIM Gold: Flexible Alternatives.

I have tried the FIM Gold PC on digital sources and I agree it is fantastic cord whereever you place it. I rotate equipment around between systems so I need to get to the cords every few months. I just have to revisit the stiffness issue again and again.

Question regarding the Elrod or the Kimber: Do they give you that sense of lightening speed and clarity that the FIM Gold does? I have also considered getting a FIM Silver for the lower current sources.

I had FIM throughout my system at one time and used Aurios under all components. On my Avantgarde Trios it took me nearly six hours to install the speaker cables. Never again!

FIM will soon have a new set of cables designed by John Tucker. I have heard them and seen them installed at VSAC. They are more flexible; probably easier than the Elrods. I hope to have some to compare in my room soon. The pcs will cost $1800 per six feet.

I replaced my FIMs with Omega Mikro pcs which are quite flexible, but they hate to touch anything. They are more neutral sounding but do not have the transient response. I also tried Elrods which were almost the pain of the FIMs.

There is a $179 for 6 feet pc that I would strongly recommend you try. Go to RScables.com. I just ordered my third and fourth cord from them. I think they are not only a best buy but better than most if not all more expensive pcs I have tried.

imho, tara "zero," and even "the one," are
superior to the fim and a helluva lot more flexible.

-cfb

Winston Ma of FIM sold off his share of FIM cables to his business partner and Garth Leerer of Musical Surroundings. Their new name is Cable Research Labs. This took place about a year ago.

I'll note that it took less than 1 hour for a Musical Surroundings employee to install a complete system with Cable Research Labs Gold at this last years' CES show. Many of you may remember the room layout; Over 8 power cords, 6 pairs of interconnects and a pair of speaker cables. I'll add that the speakers used were the wonderful Vandy 5's which require additional cabling to the amp section of the active sub. I guess it takes a longer amount of time for some, but 6 hours for one pair of speaker cables may be an exaggeration. Sean at Musical Surroundings must be a super athlete!

I'm sure that you can buy less expensive cables than the CRL, but I haven't heard anything that costs less that has its' transient reponse/dynamics/focus.

It has been said in many places but "bears" repeating again within the context of this thread: "Taste in music and its reproduction is an exact parallel to taste in food: What makes it right is person dependent." (maybe we should call this the "Goldie Locks Rule of Audio", see developing rational that follows). There may be similarities between groups of people's taste but there is always the added red pepper, olive oil or french dressing, or lack of the above that makes the salad "just right"(after GL and the 3 "bears"). For me the unique character of the FIM PCs is their incredible micro-macro dynamics, blinding apparent speed. Others do background exceptionally (the spinach) well but none launch the sound, IMHO, at blinding speed and rate of decay like the FIM cables. Makes for an extreme fun factor for me. In the same manner, thats why I wish those darn Avantgard speakers could get the bass integration right at Duo prices. I don't think there is really a superior for everyone just more right for you at that point in time. Lord knows how my tastes have changed in so many ways since I got wrapped up in this hi-end journey back when the Beatles landed in the USA (1964).

Think I will just do more arm work at the gym according to the general thoughts of the above dialog. Thanks again guys !