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Upgrading Speaker Cables: Wireworld Silver Eclipse or Transparent Audio Ultra?

More than 15 years ago, I bought a set of speaker cables to accompany my then brand new Revel Ultima Studios and Krell FPB amplifiers.  While I continue to adore the sound of my system, I know there have been a lot of advancements in cable technology this century.  Consequently, I believe that a [relatively] low cost upgrade would be a purchase of new speaker cables.  (I have no intent to replace either my speakers or my amplifiers at this time.)  I live in an area that is several hundred miles distant from any high end dealer, so doing a sonic audition of cables is infeasible; moreover, I could not duplicate my combination of other sources, amplifiers, interconnect cables, and power cords -- as well, of course, of my room environment.

All that being said, I have done tons of reading about speaker cables these past few months.  The result of my efforts has been to narrow down my two upgrade choices (both bi-wired) to Transparent Audio's Ultras and Wireworld Cable's Silver Eclipse.  Coincidentally, their respective MSRPs are between $50 of each other.

Ideally, I would love to read responses from other Audiogon members who have actually auditioned one cable against the other.  That is likely to be nigh unto impossible because I have been unable to identify a single dealer who carries both lines.  Consequently, I would be delighted to receive anyone's thoughts about the pluses and minuses of each individual cable.

Many thanks to all who provide their much appreciated insights!
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mikemeeks
26 posts
 
@jmeyers The two key differences for me was a deeper and better articulated bass and a smoother but also more detailed upper midrange and lower treble.  Overall, more relaxed and more musical.  On my system, the differences were pretty obvious - no ‘golden ears’ needed.
jmeyers's avatar
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jmeyers OP
163 posts
 
@ mikemeeks. First, thank you.  I don’t have a dealer closer than 300+ miles fro me, so trying a pair isn’t any easy option — particularly given mine wouldn’t be a case that if I like them I’d buy them. Your observations of the Ultras are similar to the only poster I’ve run across who has the Wireworld Silver Eclipses. Both are great, I suspect. Ultras are, however, the safer choice for me. I have had a good experience with them already, and Transparent at its higher price levels is known for offering cables that are very listenable.
mikemeeks
26 posts
 
@jmeyers Your welcome!  I agree with your observation about Transparent and Wireworld- I've also have heard nothing but good about both manufacturers.  In my case, my longtime dealer carries Transparent, and lets me take home most anything I want to try for a few days to hear it in my system.  So my choice of brand was pretty simple.  I almost balked the first time I bought Transparent - I had never purchased cables in that price range.  But after a little listening, I was finally convinced that cables can make a significant difference.
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phillyb's avatar
phillyb
401 posts
 
Wireworld Silver 7 power cords sound totally different with the upgraded connectors, night and day different. Tells you how much the connector ends impact the sound. Having said that which one you like would depend on your system and room acoustics. The arguments make no sense because so much goes into what you finally hear. Fix your room, get anything away from the speakers, that means in between or to the sides, no chairs or couches, or loveseats, buy some room panels to kills reflections and bass boom.

You don’t care for the room acoustics in my experience you have thrown away the money you spent on good audio gear. Yes, it takes some time and work but in the end it the best money you could have spent. My experience is power cords make the most impact in a system, want to change the sound of your system buy a new power cord or two instead of gear. I’ve owned Transparent Reference, MIT Oracle, and many others, each added something to the sound, like cooking it is what spices you like. I no longer own them. 
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