Analysis Plus or Harmonic Teck

Where do you get EVS nude attenuators?...................I've not heard a system context like yours before. I've tried Analysis Plus Oval 9, don't like it. Tried Harmonic Technology Pro Silway 2 interconnect, didn't like it. I like MIT cables, they're better than all others I've tried so far......................My system: Krell, Paragon (Dynaudio) or small Maggies, Resolution Audio CD50, VPI/Benz, and ASC traps (plus some Echobusters and RPG foam).

I too have AudioTruth Dragon and Diamond, and didn't hear the Oval 9 as being in the same universe as them (it's not even as good as ANY other cable I've tried!). I like MIT better than all the others I've tried (AP, Straightwire, Transparent Reference, Cardas Neutral Reference, Goertz, Harmonic Technology, Kimber Select, XLO Signature 5.1, and a few others). Krell's sound is ANYTHING but harsh, and I can hear extraordinarily well, too.

The affordable MIT cables I have have as much soundstage width as any cable, and much more depth than any other cable. Images are also more solid, real, and not "wispy" like they've been with every other cable. More dynamic contrast than any other cables, too. And there are essentially no penalties for this, either, at least in my system...or any ss system I try them in. I plan to post an extensive thread comparing all these in the next few weeks.

Regarding speaker cables only: I've compared the Oval 9, with Harmonic Technology Pro-9, and I find the opposite to be true. It is the HT that has more air, and more bass, and the Oval 9 was very fuzzy and soft, and closed in. It did have unusual synergy with a Synergistic research interconnect, however: the RCA Kaleidoscope Phase 2. I find it interesting that neither of these worked well with any other combination I tried. I've found that not one cable manufacturer makes cables that all have the same sonic character (Kimber comes very close to being the exception, however). Whatever works is fine with me, but you do have to try for yourself. Cable reviews seem like the ones that have the least "translatability" to the buying public, because they can perform so differently in different systems, with different combinations of brands (or even if they're all from one brand)...and that's not even taking into account the reviewer's own biases and hearing.

I should clarify that I've tried three HT cables, and the Pro 9 speaker has been the only one I've liked. I felt the Pro Silway 2 RCA interconnect had a huge hole in the upper midrange, the bass was loud but sluggish, and the treble was smooth but VEEERRRYY forward (however, the LOW midrange was perhaps the best I've heard from any interconnect, but this narrow range was the only thing the Silway did right...either thru 600 headphones and tubed headphone amp, or thru Maggies and my ss power amp at that time). The Pro 9 is nearly as smooth as AudioTruth Dragon Plus, has more bass dynamics and extension (and the DEEPEST bass extension I've heard yet...the bass speed of either of these is handily beaten by the MUCH cheaper Wireworld Atlantis 2, though...it has allowed any speaker to have a bass quickness reminiscent of the better full range esl panels that I've heard...VERY FAST), and a midrange that is transparent yet "juicy". If the Silway 2 had sounded like THAT, I would have kept it. Same for the Pro 11 power cord, it was very bright, and this has been the conclusion of everyone I've known who has tried this AC cord (who was also NOT an HT dealer...the dealers tend to like whatever they sell, of course). I'm sure there are a few who like the entire line, but I only like the Pro-9 speaker cable. Like my other favorite cables, it doesn't do "everything", but I seriously doubt that I'll ever part with it. No cable "does it all" in every situation...

And yes, those HT cables that I did not like, were indeed broken in for around 1000 hours (I had them for over 3 months, and they had perhaps 500 hours on them before I got them). Their character changed very little over break-in, and that has always been my expereince with cabling. Break-in changes the character that is apparent upon initial listening, in a very small way. I realize conventional wisdom/propoganda says otherwise, but I only care what I hear myself, and not what somebody tells me to hear.