2. cables
  3. 158956-46

Audio envy - dang!

I usually post on AG when I have an issue or concern, so I’m happy for once it’s to praise a new product, in this case Audio Envy’s IC. 

I use an ARC Classic 60 amp with a Herron 1A preamp. The AE cable went between these two.

I run an ARC Phono pre PH3se from my VPI prime as source.
My speakers are Thiel CS2.4’s

Out of the box a bit bright, But after a few hours that just went to strait up transparent - I mean freaking crystal clear. No tonal aberrations. Smooth, with no etched highs. Voices sound right, Natural. Soundstage opened up, as you might expect when things get clearer.

The best part was how inexpensive they were. They made my Cardas Clear Light interconnects I was using sound clouded by contrast. The Cardas was about x3 the cost of the AE’s.
BTW, this wasn’t “I think I hear differences”, this was “I’ll never use those Cardas in this system again, and where is my IPad, I need to order my next set!”

And that’s just what I did.
last_lemming
kclone's avatar
kclone
678 posts
 

I like the IC so much I ordered the SP-14 speaker cables.  I currently have the Canare 4s11, which I really really like.  I also ordered the USB cable to give it a try. 

jetter
3,033 posts
 

@kclone 

After you have lived with them awhile I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on the SP-14 speaker cables.  I am using the same Canare cables and have been kicking around purchasing the SP-14s.

kclone's avatar
kclone
678 posts
 

Will do Jetter. I know the Canare are cheap, but my goodness they seem pretty darn good to me. I haven’t found anything worth replacing them with yet. I haven’t tried extremely expensive stuff as cables go. The most expensive was some $2400 Audience Speaker cables. I have had several pairs below that price point. Clear Day, Supra Sword, Duelund, Western Electric, JSP Labs, Nordust, to name a few.

kclone's avatar
kclone
678 posts
 

Jetter, I have the SP-14s.  I just hooked them up, not sure how to hook up the ground wire so I have to call Cap to figure that out.  But just the speaker cables alone, there was a noticeable difference between the SP-14s and the Canare.  The SP-14s sound thick, big, weighty, instruments have a lot of meat on the bones.   The Canare sound kind of thin in comparison.  I would have not thought of that of the Carare, but next to the SP-14s, that is indeed that case.  This is a right out of the bag comparison, so if the SP-14s improve over time, like I said of the Prestige IC, it's just gravy.  

 

lak's avatar
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lak
4,593 posts
 

@kclone, to hook up the ground simply plug it into an unused AC outlet opening made for the ground plug.

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