Wilsons with Cardas or JPS?

Hi Gpgr4blu,

I am using the McIntosh MC1201 and not the MC2102. They are different altogether. The MC2102 you mentioned are tubes stereo (but can be mono) while the MC1201 are SS mono's. The MC2102 tube power amp, when mono gives out about 200 watts per channel while the MC1201 which I am using is rated at 1200w per channel.

As for cables, I have tried Tributaries, Audioquest and Monsters (many years back). Thats all. Periodically, I have some exposure to higher end stuff like Transparent, MIT and the like but nothing fancy me more than the Cardas GF as to me, they represent value for money for what they can do as against others.

My listening area is about 600 square feet.

Cheers

As I said, Cardas GR and W/Ps are inherently musical and satisfying but with the more linear and extended frequency response of the 7s over the 6s and again with the 8s over the 7s I could hear more information at the frequency extremes but it rolled off sharply, truncated prematurely to my ears. And the upper midrange began to deviate from a pleasant "presence" to a bit of a glare.

So I began trying different cables as GR had been constant in my system for many years. When I tried Audioquest Sky IC/Everest spkr., it was a revelation. There was so much more detail and dynamics and the frequency extremes were extended by at least a clean octave. But though the Cardas midrange sweetness was not there, the genie was out of the bottle.

So I have no doubt that GR is limiting my system and I am looking for cables that combine the strengths of GR and the AQ. FWIW Nordost Valhalla was one of my least favorite auditions and the only Purist cables I like are not in my price league.

So my current short list includes JPS Aluminata, Synergistic Research Tesla and Virtual Dynamics.

Speltz may be my destiny!

Khrys----You hit my problem on the head. I have heard better detail, soundstage and extension on certain cables but they usually lose some beauty and musicality in the mids. Is wanting it all too much to ask? I have just placed an Indra between my cd and pre and its character is the most neutral and holographic I have ever heard. The detail and dimensionality are astounding. So far, the mids are not so much edgy as lacking slightly in weight. However, I'm told the cables need 100 hours break in and I've only given them 8 so-----there's much more to go. Out of the box, they are the best ICs I have ever heard. I would gladly trade the slight loss in weight in the mids for the enormous gains elsewhere. Let's see if they develop into that "everything I could ever want cable". But rest assured I am on a cable hunt and intend to listen to JPS Aluminata for comparison.

I have cables that for me seem to "do it all" and they're on your short list. The new Synergistic Research Tesla Series have the most usual combination of strengths I have ever heard. Detail, extension, air, mid-range warmth, layering, "bloom", speed, and a holographic presence beyond my wildest dreams. I currently have the Accelerator interconnects and Precision Reference speaker cables but I'm thinking of upgrading to Apex (even the Apex cables are much less expensive then my previous cables).

If I sound over the top it's because, for me, I've found the Holy Grail. These cables are an audio miracle.