This is how I have the cables spaced about 1.5" and raised above the carpet about 5". They are the myrtlewood bases with electric insulators I used as supports for the previous cables with a dowel to adapt them to hold these separate wires. It's a start. |
Now,for a cosmetic question. Im planning on running my cables along my baseboard,extended out and up 2 or so inches from the baseboard/floor with 'something' I have not decided on yet. Im wondering if the cables can be lighty painted to match the baseboard. The red 'covering'on the cables looks like paint,but I really am not sure what it is. Thanks. |
Ever see knob and tube electric wiring? Too bad this set up would be so unsightly! |
David, The cables are now closely tied, and up on cable risers. I used four tie wraps, tightly cinched, evenly spaced down the eight foot length of the cable - the conductors are so stiff, only a few are needed to keep the cables bundled. I just got home, and will do some more listening tonight to the recent configuration. In the tangential thread, there was a lot of discussion of geometry, and spacing with regard to rising inductance. I simply decided to put into practice what many had suggested, and as I stated in my earlier post, I like some things about the change, and dislike others. What I seek is to balance the properties of both configurations, and that means (I think) realigning the geometry, so that the conductors don't quite touch, but are in close proximity to each other, and have approximately equal spacing down each cable. How I am going to put that into practice will have me walking the aisles of Home Despot searching for a spacing solution. As I thought about this today, my parameters are equal spacing, most likely a circular configuration (think of each conductor wrapped around a round core of something, but evenly spaced), minimal contact with the conductors (the simplicity of the wire is in its basic dielectric and freedom from plastics, sheaths, covers, etc) and low cost. Good listening, -Richard |
Richard
Thanks for this excellent posting,please let us know what you find in any further experimentation...
I use my Anti-Cable not running closely together currently..
Thanks
Chris |
Richard-Did you tie the cables tighly together so they touch or loosely? In between ties you have them closely spaced? Have you tried this configuration elevated yet and off the floor? Your post is one of the most informative so far. Thank you.Im still waiting to install mine.
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I have been experimenting with this very thing. I am running the Speltz cables in a biwire configuration (two spades on the amp end/four on the speaker side). Berning amplification, Meadowlark speakers. The cables were constructed by me, using Luminous solid copper spades, compression crimped and soldered. I initially had the conductors spaced horizontally (+ - + -) about an inch or so apart, running through thin pine boards, which acted to both maintain even spacing, and keep the cables several inches off the carpet. Unfortunately, they had the look of high voltage power lines running from the back of my rack, but that's another story. I thought they sounded very nice, perhaps almost TOO nice. A little laid back and polite, they seemed only adequate in dynamics, and were perhaps a bit rolled off on the frequency extremes. Yet, like most solid conductor cables, they perserved the cohesiveness of music that (IMHO) many stranded designs (particularly hybrid copper/silver cables) ignore. Ultimately, I felt my Goertz MI2 cables were better.
Last night, I removed my pine "spacers". I laid the cables flat onto the floor, not paying particular attention to conductor orientation, and placed four small tie-wraps evenly spaced along the length of the cable. The transformation was quite astonishing. Suddenly, the cables lost their politeness, and the perspective shifted as if I had moved from 3/4 of the way back in the concert hall to within the first ten rows of the stage. While some of the smoothness of the cables was certainly lost, the dynamic range suddenly blossomed, and the cables developed what is commonly termed 'slam'; frequency extension issues previously noted disappeared. Is it all good? I don't think so - some of the cable's ability to retrieve low-level information also disappeared, as well as some subtle spatial cues. However, the cables are neither harsh, nor fatiguing, and perserve the essence of what they do right musically speaking.
My thinking now is that there has to be some compromise between the two geometries that will allow for a best of both worlds scenario. My thinking is that the next configuration will have the cables slowly spiralling around a small diameter core of some sort, where conductor separation will be maintained, but where spacing will be minimized (perhaps only a centimeter apart or so). I am also thinking that the cables are somewhat microphonic, and that some amount of damping is necessary. As to the composition of the core material, I am still developing my thoughts on this. I am working on gathering my construction and application photos of all this, and will hopefull post something someday soon if anyone is interested. Regards,
-Richard |
I will ask the question that at this point is one of the last ones asked in the other thread (waiter! merger here please!)
Have you left the Speltz (or similar) cables to find their own way or have you 'paired' them with ties or something, and what is the audible difference? |
Experiences obviously differ with these, but in my case the anti-cables did a better job of conveying spatial cues, venue information and instrumental decays. They replaced my Kimber 8tc which are a very decent, well-rounded cable, so for me the anti-cables are a great bargain. The only thing I don't like about them is that they look like coat-hanger wires coming from the back of my speakers. |
Bradz, you use AP Oval 9 so you know the cable. Some say they are affordable reference. They don't have world class extension on top (highs are sweet) but convey more information than anti-cables. They have better bas with good texture(anti-cables' bass is tight and short, not dfferentiated), wider soundstage but about the same depth (in this respect Satori is better). All in all AP are better cables but your ears will be the final judge. Many are appealed by "clarity" of anti-cables. They don't convey reverbs, venue athmosphere, spatial cues, they are just clear.
Hope this helps Jan |
Bradz: I can't give you any type of "set in stone" statements as to what to expect with the "Anti-Cables" because their physical and electrical characteristics are anything but consistent in nature. While they will surely "work" in your system, i can't say that you ( or anyone else ) will "prefer" these to any other cable in their system. Sean > |
I'm using an anti-cable type product. It's the same wire without Paul's termination. I'm not sure about them yet, I have them between my Classe Omicron and a pair of borrowed Focus speakers, but they aren't doing anything bad! |
Thanks for your very informative response Sean. So would the ant-cable work with my Innersound esl and if so, what could I expect as far as difference in sound compared to my AP cables? Thanks |
Bradz: I'm not Jkuc, but i have compared cabling that is very similar in nature to Paul's Anti-Cables to AP Oval 9's. All i will say is that having the AP Oval 9's in one of my systems produced some of the worst listening that i've ever had to endure. Using a single driver full range speaker with no crossover parts between the amplifier and the speaker is extremely revealing and i did not like what i heard when i introduced the Oval 9's into the system at all. It was as if you were listening to a pocket transistor radio i.e. no bass and horribly tizzy treble response. Everyone that heard this system said it sounded horrible, but i kept playing it hoping that it would improve with time.
This was long before any of the glowing reviews came out on the AP cables, as i tried them when they were first released. 500+ hours of break-in wasn't enough. Maybe the AP's sound better after you get 1,000,000,000+ hours on them, i don't know. Obviously, i'd take the "Anti-Cables" over the AP's any day of the week : ) Sean >
PS... I could never figure out why AP used one type of cable geometry for their silver cabling and a completely different geometry for their copper cabling. That is, if their computer simulations had shown one of these to be "the best" as their advertising states. If it truly were "the best", there would be no need for any other geometries to be used. In effect, their own products refute their marketing campaign aka "snake oil" and "cable hype". |
How were the anti-cables compared to the Analysis Plus 9 Jkuc? |
All I can say is they sound wonderful bi-wired between my Cayin TA30 and Von Schweikert VR4-II's. They are a bit hard to handle - very stiff, you can bend them easily but they retain shape since they're solid wire.
-Craig. |
Anti-Cables replaced the Audience Au 24 I had in my system...Can strongly recommend the Anti-Cables |
I compared anti-cables with Acoustic Zen Satori and Analysis Plus 9. Satori has much better extension on top with better resolution. Smoother and more refined. Anti-cables may seem clearer (better clarity according to some other users) just because their sound is less saturated with less spatial information. Midrange - Satori has better detail again, conveys singer's emotions better. Vocals are more sensual. Overall Satori is more involving, musical and refined. Anti-cables are a little bit more open. I've asked my friend, an audiophile to comment on the cables without having told him my opinion before without making any suggestions. He only confirmed my "findings". In conclusion I want to say that ani-cables are excellent cables for the price but definitely not hi-end (I don't like this word) they sound typically hi-fi'sh. The diffrencies described are obvious and I'm deeply convinced, not system dependent. The cable may fit better in tube gear as they are on cold side.
Comparisons made in bi-wire configuration. Plinius 9200 + Jmlab Electra 926.
Best Jan
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Hi, I like the Anti-cables alot also. Hard to decribe the sound because they are that good. Made my Triangle Celius come to life. Give them a try. Jerry |
I have had very good luck with E-ticketcables. I payed about $50 for 8 foot pair. These replaced my 8tc, and I haven't missed them. |
Anti cable's are wonderful. do it NOW!!!! |
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?fcabl&1104434220&read&3&4&
Here you go... just discussed.. |