2. cables
  3. 1082200938

Nordost Blue Heaven to SPM Reference

Nordost cables are known to be very detailed, quick and having a fast transient response while their only caveat is in the bass department. Anyhow I don't think this is an issue with me since I am thinking of improving the bottom end of my speakers with a subwoofer.

I have the Blue Heaven speaker cables on my SF Grand Piano and was thinking of upgrading to the SPM Reference. Will I get a substantial improvement? I am just concerned on the ratio of money spent/improvements in sound. If the differences are huge I don't mind getting rid of my Blue Heaven for the SPM. Any comments?

Thanks in advance.
ryder
s23chang
619 posts
 
You can also consider NBS speaker cables. I had the NBS Master and I like it better than the SPM. More authority and all frequency range. I would definitely prefer the ARC D130 over Bryston 4BST. 4BST is okay for entry level. You can do a lot better with 7BST or 14BST.
ryder OP
1,689 posts
 
S23chang,
Geez this is getting far more complicated than I thought. I've actually posted a thread in the amp section on getting the 4B ST. There's no doubt on the capabilites of the D130 but I am guessing that the Bryston will suit my system better than the ARC D130 with the extra power on tap since the Grand Pianos are laidback in nature. I don't have the budget for the 7B or 14BST.

On cables, I don't know why I still prefer Nordost and nothing else. Anyway will give the NBS a thought though.
rsbeck
887 posts
 
I would wait until you get the Bryston into your system before making the cable change and then I would get some 12 gauge copper cables and put the Nordost BH's in your system for a week and then the 12 gauge copper cables in for a week and see what you think. Then, if you're still unhappy, consider
upgrading your source. The last thing would be a cable upgrade.
subaruguru
1,375 posts
 
I'm in agreement that the SPM improved both the ultimate bass output AND removed a transient edginess existing in the Red Dawn. The extra bass didn't surprise me as the SPMs are larger. The cleaner top octaves was a treat. Yet I bought the SPMs at 70% off used, making them a no-brainer. I found the Red Dawn, Siltech whatever, Discovery Essence and HT ProSilway XLRs almost indistinguishable from the RD, but the SPM was clearly better than all these.
Too bad, as I always like cheap giant-killers.
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,029 posts
 
Subaru for the price of SPM compare to RD it should
outperform the RD,With respect to you, It depends
on the Siltech model,probably the lower model, I
agree, but the LS120, and the LS188, forget it.Ask
Sonic genius.I have not mention the compass lake yet.
I think very few Agoners knows about siltech, Ernie
this are one of the finest.
More to discover