Cable thoughts

@luvrockin - cables in this snack bracket all tend to be at the top end of the performance curve - the difference in their performance would be marginal at best -  so why change them?

Your cables are also nicely settled/burned in - new cables might sound "different" at first - then settle-in to sound identical

Unless you hear a better cable I would stick with the  Transparent Audio Ultra XLR.

The advances in metallurgy since your cables were purchased would marginal and old cables do not "go bad" - perhaps re-seating them might bring back some "sparkle"? 

I have read anecdotes as to the warmth of various new metal alloys such as tungsten or gold or gold alloy - but the fact is - for the most detailed and dynamic performance, copper of silver is best (I prefer solid silver), so those old cables are still pretty darn good! I consider the new alloys as nothing more than a way for a cable company to show they are moving in some direction, be it bad or good

There is so much hype around cables at this level it is difficult to make an assessment based on product literature - let your ears make the decision.

In the past I have taken my cables to the store and asked them for a side-by-side audition. That way you can tell immediately if there is any improvement.

Hype is a powerful tool for marketers - and audiophiles, in their quest for "nirvana", are often swayed, only to find they preferred their old cables down the road

Perhaps a vacation would be a better way to spend that money?

Regards - Steve

Steve, I like your thought process. It does make sense. I was loaned a pair of Transparent Gen5 Super XLR's and a pair of TA BMLP to try out. I actually have the MLP from the DAC to Pre amp and the TA BMLS from the pre to the amp. The system sounds great. very airy and detailed along with great soundstage width and depth. I'm going to try different combinations as well as much and matching the older TA Ultras I have, the NBS Monitor IV's and loaners. 

The NBS you have are better cables than the Transparent Ultra's.

Just try them in your system. You'll find the NBS more coherent and linear overall.

The Transparent's have a different sound. They are thicker overall. If you like that, then go for the Reference over the Ultra.

Take a trade in for the Black Label 2.  If not, you can buy it used on Audiogon or Audiomart.  Your system is more match with the classic series from NBS.  

Do yourself a big favor; the transparent cables are not in the same league as NBS,  No offense to anyone!  I strongly recommend a demo on the Black Label 2 from Nbs,  you will stop looking for any other cables. Mark My Word On This. You Will Not Be Disappointed!

Maybe i will try to Audition them somehow. There's no NBS dealers in the Chicagoland area, at least that I've found. I tried the Monitor IV's yesterday from Ayre DAC to preamp and did not like it at all. Maybe I want used to it? My soundstage narrowed considerably. The sound was much brighter, almost to bright. S's had an sssssssssssss which drive me crazy. Their definitely burned in. They're 15 years old. I ended up putting my older Ultras back in their place swapping between then and the loaned TA gen5 m2 BMLP. At the end of the day, I have the old Ultra's from DAC to Pre because I noticed a much better soundstage and more detail over the BMLP. I'm still going to keep playing because this is fun to me and it's what idiots like myself enjoy doing lol!!