Cables that are more enhanced than Acoustic Zen


I am needing to go into a biamp situation (solid state for woofers) and two sets for the top end - using a zero speltz impedance box in the chain (mid and highs - otl mono block tube amps) Since my current speaker wires are Acoustic Zen Satori shotgun bi-wires I will unfortunately need to move on and completely redo my speaker cables in my system.I might look at interconnects at the same time for addtional system synergy,

I've done a bit of reading in old threads but feel a new post for my current bi-amp situation would be appropriate

I really like the strengths of the Acoustic Zen speaker cables - I also have the original Matrix IIs. Tonally balanced - revealing yet warm, dynamic, good seperation of instruments and great soundstage both width and depth.

I play upright bass so reproducing the warm tones inherant to the instrument is critical

Some have said that Acoustic Zen sound a little grainy - I've heard elements of that on the interconnects, and swapped them out for Straightwire Crescendos, Purist Audio Aqueous 50th. The Crescendos may be just slightly veiled (very subtle) the PAD are very dark and lack a little dynamics but are tonally balanced (I hear their more expensive cables are not dark and lacking)

I haven't tried anything higher up the Acoustic Zen line. I usually stay away from silver - I am very sensitive to bright high freqencies (a few concussions along the way) -I have 16+k hearing. I've had Cardas golden cross but it wasn't dynamic enough and too warm.

Cables suggested were morrow, higher level pad,
The Nordost I've heard I didn't like. Clear Day I have never heard of. Anticables I didn't care for.

My equipment Galibrier Gavia (currently triplanar wiring), Doshi Aalap Preamp, audio research cd2, atma sphere ma-1 tube mono blocks to speltz zeros impedance converter, qsc bass amp, and Salk Soundscape 10 speakers,

What cables would you recommend that wouldn't be incredibly expensive and have a tonally balanced sound leaning to the warm side with great dynamics and soundstage?

I would need 10 ft runs to the bass drivers. Should I go shorter on the top end, and small lengths on the "jumpers" from the zeros to the speakers?

Morrow SP5's sound interesting

Anyone went from Acoustic Zen to another cable? Or higher up the AZ line?

Would like to stay under $1000 on a 10' pair
unless the next step up is jaw dropping
Obviously broken in used would be nice

Thanks

Tom
128x128audiotomb
I went from AZ Hologram II to Morrow Audio SP4 and MA4 interconnects. Everything got better, deeper, faster, more balanced and no veils. YMMV!
Jburidan. - good point on having AZ reterminate the speaker wire.

Barry - nice system. Tri amping
I was looking at the Pass crossover but decided to get a volume adjusted solid state power amp for the woofers instead.

Nice to hear someone with an extensive system using AZ. I bet your Maggies purr.

Wow, that Audio Dhrama cable cooker isn't cheap. It's that good?
A couple of suggestions, yes, the PAD AA that you tried is a bit dark, the Venustas is much more resolving, as it uses some silver conductors, if you can find some used.

Also on the used market, you could try a pair of Tara Labs Air 1's or Analysis Plus Solo Crystal 8's.
Wow, a thousand bux for 10 feet of speaker cable? I find it hard to understand how that last 10 feet will mitigate the thousands of feet of cabling that were used in the original recording, mixing, and mastering phases. However, if that cable has been cooked properly, perhaps you can, indeed, mitigate the sonic holocaust that was introduced during the production stages.

I know that I was greatly releived to read the following:

RAPID, SUPERIOR BREAK-IN AND CONDITIONING ... conditions more thoroughly because the cabling is exposed to extreme signal levels and a special waveform that does not occur in normal system operation.

I am sleeping much better at night knowing that my cables have been greatly enhanced by the use of signals which will never be seen during normal operation. I guess it's kinda like improving the performance of my Mini Cooper's internal combustion engine by burning thru a tank of avgas every once in a while - whew!!

But let's get back on-topic: Personally, at first I was *very* concerned that I might damage my cables' fragile electrons by making them carry a signal for which they were never designed. Not to mention asking them to move both backwards AND forwards during playback.

And, when you really think about it, this is even more deeply troubling if said cables are directional - what would it do to the depth of the soundstage if I forced a forward-moving electron to suddenly come to a screeching halt and then have to move backwards? Wouldn't this leave behind little electronic skid marks inside the cable?

And, again thinking logically, wouldn't this cause a "smearing" of the sound as the remaining perfectly good electrons have to slow down and then go out of their way to avoid these sheared-off bits? Also, is it easier to avoid a 1 or a 0? I'm betting the 1s are easier to avoid, they are a bit narrower.

Nonetheless, *surely* this would cause the signal to slow down much the same as you have to slow down when trying to avoid all those bits of tire thrown off by an 18-wheeler when one of its tires explodes. There is NO way that could be good for the clarity and cleanliness of the original signal, that's for sure!!

I tell ya, this electricity stuff is downright scary to anyone who takes the time to really sit down and analyze it scientifically...

-RW-
Audiotomb-

I had a most unexpected, pleasant listening experience, earlier this year. I spent some time w/ an Audio Research, Magnepan system. Straightwire cabling/cords throughout.
The real kicker here (I am a cable/cord guy) was that the owner used the lowest level/cheapest cost Straightwire.

I must say, the sound was very good. IMO, with a little higher cable cost investment, that system would be excellent to outstanding.
Happy Listening!