Several posters seem to have a bias toward their choices, in their systems. ( full disclosure) I am a user of Shunyata power cables on my power amp, pre, and digital source. and subeoofer. I also use Venom interconnects between my source and my pre. The new Shunyata Venom X interconnects are silver coated copper. You might try some in your system, using a vendor which allows an in home trial, which includes a satisfaction guarantee. This removes your risk. Several Shunyata online vendors ( Music Direct.com, Upscale Audio.com) offer this option. I believe there is engineering and design synergy in using a one vendor solution. Try Shunyata's new Venom X design in your system , and let your ears judge.
Dynamics and resolution...
Recently went through the power cord circles. After a few I ended up finding the Shunyata Delta NR the most pleasing. One on my receiver and one on my amplifier.
Prior to going with the Delta NR power cord I had been using Voodoo silver over copper style power cords. They were very good at almost everything. Especially for the price. In the $400 range I wasn’t sure what to expect.
However, the two faults I had problems excepting were lack of bass control and the were somewhat clinical.
The Shunyata were twice the price but I feel they are far more than worth it. My problem is, even though I feel that the Shunyata have a much wider, fuller sound stage with much better control I also miss the dynamics and extension the silver over copper of Voodoo provided.
My intentions were to replace the Morrow Audio interconnects and speaker cables next and go full Shunyata loom. Now I find myself having second thoughts and possibly going to another manufacturer for interconnects and possibly speaker cables that manufacture in silver over copper (no solid silver) in order to try and recover some of what I lost going to Shunyata.
Thoughts or suggestions on affordable silver over copper interconnects to try? Company that produces solid copper interconnects that provide high resolution and extension?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Prior to going with the Delta NR power cord I had been using Voodoo silver over copper style power cords. They were very good at almost everything. Especially for the price. In the $400 range I wasn’t sure what to expect.
However, the two faults I had problems excepting were lack of bass control and the were somewhat clinical.
The Shunyata were twice the price but I feel they are far more than worth it. My problem is, even though I feel that the Shunyata have a much wider, fuller sound stage with much better control I also miss the dynamics and extension the silver over copper of Voodoo provided.
My intentions were to replace the Morrow Audio interconnects and speaker cables next and go full Shunyata loom. Now I find myself having second thoughts and possibly going to another manufacturer for interconnects and possibly speaker cables that manufacture in silver over copper (no solid silver) in order to try and recover some of what I lost going to Shunyata.
Thoughts or suggestions on affordable silver over copper interconnects to try? Company that produces solid copper interconnects that provide high resolution and extension?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
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bgpoppab, I have continuing good news for you! Since the article was published there have been several noted setups using active preamp to power amps! I have used some of them, for instance the Belles ARIA Preamp using Schroeder Method ICs to Belles ARIA Monoblock Amps. I am engaged in a review currently of another tubed preamp (not yet revealed; different manufacturer) with Schroeder Method going to several amps, including the Benchmark AHB2 amps in Mono mode. The setups at the time of the article were very preliminary, but since then it appears that many configurations of active pre/amp are suitable, and perhaps even universally so. However, I hesitate to say that, because there may be a few unorthodox configurations that might be not so good. An example where a manufacturer was more leery of it was the Border Patrol DAC SE, as that unit is NOS and takes it's output right from the DAC chip. That is one example of why I recommend contacting the manufacturer first. Perhaps others can chime in as well in order to discuss what active preamp they are using with Schroeder Method ICs. DACs that worked with Schroeder Method so far are: Eastern Electric Minimax DAC Supreme, Exogal Comet, COS D1, and Benchmark DAC3 DX. A body of evidence is slowly being built that may conclude that the double IC is harmless to active preamps. That remains to be seen in finality, but we are on the way. |
@douglas_schroeder I reread the article. I see there was a voiced concern in regards to going this route between active preamp and amplifier. It appears you were using a passive preamp at the time. Have you since then experimented with active preamp? I use a Marantz 7012 AVR out to external amplifier. I am aware that Audio Sensibility sells interconnects constructed using your method/design and had considered trying them until reading your write up. |
bgpoppab, yes, that was my article at Dagogo.com and you should not give up on the option. The solution is simple; rather than use splitters, which are bulkier, go to a good Y-cable, as that will fit in the space allotted for the RCA outs. Reference my article at Dagogo.com in regards to the Audio Sensibility Y-Cables for these purposes and you will be in business. BTW, over time I experimented with slightly different lengths on the ICs, i.e. up to 3" and it had no noticeable deleterious effect. |
@douglas_schroeder I do remember reading a write up in regards to doubling the interconnects. Quite possibly yours. AQ adaptors using half twist to even out signal travel distance if that's the one. I wanted to experiment with it quite badly. My issue is that I use a Marantz 7012 for a receiver out to the amplifier. The Marantz RCA outs are extremely close together. I did not feel it could be done safely. |
daveb, No surprise that a straight wire bests a passively networked cable. Any number of straight wires can do so. It certainly is not a result associated only with ANTICABLES. There are many other cables that are significantly superior to ANTICABLES, but they often cost more as well. Do not think that simply because they bested a passively networked cable that they are the best in an absolute way. YMMV Further, in regard to ANTICABLES, their innate sound is not the biggest deal. Read my review of them at Dagogo.com and you will learn how to use them - or any IC (I avoid passively networked cables, including ICs after several straight wires at far less cost bested them, imo) - in a method that will show single ICs are paltry. The Schroeder Method doubles ICs, which can be assembled easily by the owner or manufactured. ANTICABLES is now offering ICs built according to Schroeder Method. This is no joke. You haven't heard anything yet with simple use of a single ANTICABLE, or any other IC. If you wish to pursue this idea see the seminal article at Dagogo.com, and the thread that bears my name on the cable forum. Note especially that it is a "do at your own risk" endeavor, and the comments of those who have followed my lead. I do not have time to answer all sorts of questions about implementation; see previous discussions. Also note my review of the Audio Sensibility products, both RCA and XLR, which I strongly recommend for assembling your own Schroeder Method ICs as the splitters/Y-cables chosen have a significant impact on the result. However, poorer ones will not nullify the benefit of double ICs. Don't get chintzy on these products or you dumb down the results. :) I have no interest in debating my conclusions and methods. |
My experience with certain cable brands. I have used Shunyata Venom ( quiet but no dazzle) Less Loss ( really very good but way too bulky and difficult to route, Bybee and this is where I stop. The Bybees more money than I could ever had anticipated for a cable ( where Bluejean Cable believes is all self delusion). If your ready to move on, bite the bullet and stop at Bybee. They are pricey but not $10,000 like many top of the line. If you have a modest but very good system Bluejean is a best bet. Low end of Shunyata line will have you wondering all over again. Now I need shielded ICs any suggestions? |
Audio Art Cables - Rob Fritz is awesome. it is exactly what you are asking for. my entire system is wired with AAC http://audioartcable.com/ |
@blindjim. I’ve had most of the stuff you mentioned in and out of my systems over the years. I’m sure some of the synergy has to be related to the gear as usual, but overall the Anticables seem to deliver a more uniform result. They don’t get in the way and they seem to allow the best performance to come through. Very unexpected but quite thrilling. I do use a Transparent power conditioner for my front end with a Transparent Reference PC. Not sure I want to mess with that ju ju! My Anticables Reference PC is direct into the AC, feeding my Krell amp. |
@dave_b I had noticed/read about the Anticables over this past winter. My concern with them is simple lack of shielding. In my system everything is in close quarters. When I contacted Anticables to ask two questions one in regards to a direct comparison of their design compared to another the only answer I received was "I don't know". It didn't instill great confidence so I moved along. |
Anti cables besting 4K PC and 12K ICs? really? whoa. I suppose I'd have to at least give them a try. maybe. did you by chance go with the 'quiet' versions of the Shunyata power cords? you said one on a receiver and one on the amp. what's on the source (s)? for sheer articulation and dynamic range across the board top to bottom, my EXP showed MIT Magnums as a source IC were a huge help. also, though it was many iterations back, Synergistic Research upper range ICs though not the top o their lines also were quite adept at providing strong bass reproduction. on a more affordable level I would look to Harmonic Technology magics or Audience. the tuff thing is finding wires which support the lower ranges well. I find bolstering the lower end is best done by PCs and the refinements thereafter come from spur cables and ICs. not necessarily in that order either. I ran a mix of Voo Doo and Shunyata power cords along with Elrod feeding the power line conditioners. baking a cake your way is an interesting affair but it often takes a long time to experiment with various wires to get the most synergistic effect. the upshot is that way usually comes out the lesser expensive way vs a 'same same' loom front to back. another consideration is you will find out bringing back in a formerly discarded pc may be just what the synergistic Dr. ordered. maybe. I kept bringing back in a Kimber power cord at least three different times. one ‘trick’ with power cords is this… if you run a PLC the PC supplying it power plays a very sifgnificant role in the sQ. the attributes of the supply cord will influence those cords driving other downstream pieces they are connected to this effect works with one in two out NEMA to IEC adapters as well. believe it or not? it only costs $20 or less to find out, and you end up with a gizmo that will help you save your gear when burnign in power cables. when I ran mono blocks, I ran out of fundihgn for more pcs. so I used my best pc to fuel the PlC supplying the sources, and the second one to supply the amps PLC. two Gold Dragons fed both amps. later came the Elrod to supply the amps and the Shunyata previously there was then placed on the line stage.
lastly, I heard some simple rigs recently with one source, and INT amps wired by Cardass and another similar one wired by aQ which sounded pretty nice. maybe add those to the list too. enjoy |