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Transparent Ultra or Super?

I am wondering if anyone can help me decide if it is worth it to go straight to the Ultra XL cable from transparent audio, or start out with the Super XL. Price is not an issue here. I am curious if anyone has compared the two cables, and if so, what the differences are?

I have heard the Transparent music link plus cables, and they seem to have a bloated midrange "haze" in my opinion. Is this a trait of the Transparent line, or is it an interaction with my components?

I am running the following system:
Krell KAV 250CD
Krell pre-amp
Krell KSA 250 amplifier
Hales Revelation Three speakers
Audioquest Type 6+ speaker cables
Well Tempered Classic turntable
Benz Micro Glider 2 Cartridge
Acoustech PH-1P phono stage
Audioquest Ruby interconnects

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Brad
bfuehrer
bfuehrer OP
21 posts
 
I am not considering buying new cables.

I think that the midrange bloat that I have been hearing is due to more of the music coming through and pointing out a poor room acoustic phenomena. I will try to pull the speakers out into the room and see if that clear up the sound.

Rex

are the new Plus MM's really better than the old super xl's? My dealer is telling me this, and I find it hard to believe.

rock on, brad
rex
245 posts
 
Buehrer - yes, they are. I've got both in my HT system, and the Plus MMs are more extended and more detailed than the Super XLs. I'm slowly migrating the Super XL out of the HT.
no_money
638 posts
 
Rex, any experience with the new MM tech. speaker cables as compared to the XL? I have super XL and while they do offer an upgrade to Ultra MM it is still a bit much $$ for me at this time. I might sell this pair to go for Super mm though...

Thanks.
rex
245 posts
 
I've never had "XL" speaker cables. I had Transparent Super (the original) in the big system for my Maggies, upgraded to Ultra MM, then upgraded to Reference BiCable (MM) for the Vandersteens.

One thing to keep in mind is that "XL Technology" wasn't really technology in the form of circuitry or hardware; "XL Technology" came about because Transparent got some exotic test equipment to use with their high-end cable (which became "Reference XL," as opposed to the less-lofty "Reference with XL"). They started using the exotic test equipment on a big chunk of their cable line, improving tolerances and consistency. That's why the cables got the "XL" stamp.

MM is a true upgrade, in that it's an actual improvement in the design and materials.
bfuehrer OP
21 posts
 
I still havn't had time to pull the speakers out into the room, although they are about 54" from the wall now. I have had a chance to listen and compare the super to the ultra xl cables, and they are an immediate improvement.

What I am wondering, is the step up to reference going to be a similar jump in performance? I can audition them also from my local dealer if you say that would be worth doing.

thanks to everyone for the good advice.

Brad
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