silver with tubes and copper with solid state ??

Somewhat on the topic, I just picked up another Taipan Alpha Helix cord (this will make 4 in total combined with a Hydra 4 in my system). I believe this version is with copper mains and EIC from looking it over, but I haven't confirmed that with Shunyata yet. Matching this cord with the Benchmark DAC and moving the silver plated Taipan Helix over to my pre/pro and the nickel Taipan Helix to my Sunfire amp (I've another Silver Taipan 20amp feeding the Hydra), it has warmed things up considerably. I'm still completely floored after all this time that power cords can lend almost as much impact as ICs since the notion they'd have any impact at all sounds ridiculous at face value. Benchmark engineers have stated their DAC is immune to AC interference and doesn't need aftermarket cords, but honestly it's more than evident what impact different cords have on this DAC and every other piece of gear I've had.

I've a pair of AZ Silver Reference IIs on there way so we'll see what they can offer, but I think I solved the brightness issue enough with the new Taipan cord power cord. I'm not here to pitch Shunyata gear honestly, but their helix cords are worth a try if you're also looking at ICs to alter tonal balance.

First; speakercables needs to be elaively thick and massive. 12-13awg is a good start,suitable for tweeters & smaller midrngs. In my system I`ve ended up using 4x9awg (x2) for the woofers, 2x9awg for the 6,5" mids aso.
Remember; speakercables must be sen as a par of the amp`ssssssssspowercrcuit. This low-current powercircuit can`t control the speakers through thin/flat/stranded wires, even th most poweul amp won`t do.

Underdimensioned powercircuit is lo the main reason why some amps are less dynamic & powerful than others.

Hi ,  interesting thread . I think that your question ( statement )  is fairly correct , but is too broad of a generalization. I currently have a Schiit Yiggy , Rogue Tube pre , and a couple different tube amps . My room is 18x24, with thick shag rug, cloth covered sectional and heavy cloth drapes . Unless I run big power , it’s OK without acoustic treatments . So I thought along the same path as your post . I tried home built 8 and 10 gauge pure silver speaker cables . Silver digital coax and partial silver Interconnects. My sound was too harsh . I found that system synergy is very important by using a mixture of tube gear.  And especially when I mixed tube and SS. I have Zu speakers amongst others . Then for cabeling , I tried Zu, Pangea, Audio Quest , Anti-Cables and I am now running Morrow MA5 Interconnects and I am going to replace my Anti-Cables Level 3 speaker cables with Morrow 5 speaker cables . My personal experience is that the Morrow silver over copper wire has given me good detail , depth and detail without the pure silver harshness . If I may compare my experience with cables to driver tubes , I like NOS Telefunken over Amperex for the same reason. But there is a huge following  for the brighter tubes/cables  . But in my system , in my living room , I have found the combination that gives me great detail , a wide and deep soundstage  , sufficient bass , and without  ear fatigue . The other thing I discovered was that huge fat cables aren’t necessarily the best . I have a limited experience and have been lucky enough to meet people on AGON that have similar taste and a lot more money . They have been down this path before me and have shared their experience and even shipped me gear on loan to try . So as my budget allows and my ability to listen becomes more refined , I’m sure everything will change . But it sure is fun to try new things and make new friends . Enjoy the ride , Respectfully, Mike B.