Anticables

It appears I'm caught up in another episode of Revenge of the Nerds.

Around 2 years ago I bought an 8 foot pair of AntiCables speaker cables. They made a profound and immediate positive effect in my system. Initially they connected a Rogue Audio "Cronus Magnum" KT88-based tube amp to a pair of Avalon Acoustics "Eidolon" speakers. Sounded better than previous MOR cables, but the AntiCables and the speakers exposed audiophile shortcomings in the amp. Replaced the amp with a very nice Ayon Audio "Triton III" KT120-based tube amp. Wow. Wow. Wow. Then last Summer, I purchased a wonderful sounding Raven Audio "Blackhawk LE" 6L6-based tube amp", again wow wow wow.

The lesson for me was that when you introduce an excellent component into a stereo system, it will expose or clarify shortcomings in your other gear or setup.

Paul makes a wonderful speaker cable (I have not tried his ICs) for a remarkably low price. After doing a good deal of research on the topic of cables in high-end systems I have come to the conclusion that I will never spend multiple thousands of dollars on any cable, but I may get close to that point if I DIY silver speaker cables per Tempo Electric’s recipe/instructions.

BTW, maligning someone (the OP used the term "SCM") is essentially unfair, especially when your system is just crying out for better components that have been exposed as slacker gear. Pfffttt! ;-)

The narrow minded quits reading after the 1st paragraph, shutting down as soon as he/she reads a statement that contradicts his/her unshakeable belief.  The open minded reads through the entire article and challenge the proposition.  Me too, i have had a very hard time when i heard someone affirmed for the first time that santa clause was only real in children's imagination.

I use the ANTICABLES Level 6.2 Reference ICs, Level 3 Power cords, and Level 5 Reference speaker cables which replaced items that were from 2X to 5X the cost of each of the ANTICABLES products. I am extremely satisfied with ANTICABLES products and highly impressed with the professional service received. I have conversed with Paul Speltz on several occasions and received great advice on various audiophile topics. In the next 3 months, I plan to purchase 2 more Level 3 power cords. Per my wife the sound of my system is clear and crisp - like being in the audience. I highly recommend ANTICABLES products if you like clarity, a wide soundstage, extreme detail, and deep and tight base. In terms of my system it has a recommended Absolute Sound class A preamplifier, class D amplifier, DAC, and electrostatic speakers. 

vicweast

I concur with your statement:

"The lesson for me was that when you introduce an excellent component into a stereo system, it will expose or clarify shortcomings in your other gear or setup."

I have had the ANTICABLES Level 5 speaker cables in my system for a little over a month and they are phenomenal. One of my audiophile buddies who has speaker cables listing for $15k had many compliments about the L5 cables and his final statement was "...your system is set..."