2. cables
  3. 147104-4121

Stage III Concepts Cables - Any Advice/Feedback/Thoughts is deeply appreciated.

I have a mixed loom of Stage III Concepts Cables on loan to me from a local dealer and need some help.  
There is hardly any user/owner/member/end used type of info out there so I wanted to reach out. 

Here is what I am demoing now and below is the why...

Stage III Concepts GRYPHON XLR 1.5m Interconnects   
Stage III Concepts MAGNUS 3.0m Speaker Cables
Stage III Concepts MINOTAUR 2.0m Power Cable
Stage III Concepts KRAKEN 1.5m Power Cable

Here is the why:

I received my new Magico S5 MK II Speakers 2 weeks ago upgraded from the original S5's.  
I wanted to upgrade my pre and amp but was waiting to hear my new S5 MK II's with my present gear first. 

Magico S5 MK II Speakers
Pass Labs X250.8 amp
Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 pre
Bricasti M1SE w/built in ethernet media player
SGC sonicTransporter ethernet Roon server w/Uptone Audio JS-2 LPS
Kubala-Sosna Emotion Full Loom 

I loved my new speakers and so sold both my Pass X250.8 amp and my Simaudio P8 pre.
I bought Pass Labs XA-160.8 Monoblocks and was driving them direct with my Bricasti M1SE as pre/dac.

I was happy and while looking for a pre I stumbled into a local guy that had a Soulution 530 Integrated.
I thought you know what lets try it and if I like it then I will sell or trade my Pass mono's for a pre or use 530's preouts.

To make a long story longer I put it in my system and low and behold I like the Pass amps better. Maybe not a huge surprise as Pass gear is killer but then I phoned the local Soulution dealer to pick he brain. 

He told me the Pass amps should not sound better with S5 MK II's and it was due to the match of my Kubala-Sosna cables which work great with Pass, ARC, Ayre, Krell, etc. but Soulution is a different animal and needs a different cable. .
I thought OK here we go... Here comes the big old cable sales pitch but to be fair I called him. So I listened.

He loaned me the cables I have listed above to prove what he was saying was true.

You know what happened. Low and behold he was 100% right and they blew my mind. No snake oil but real results.  

They sound insane and actually really good with my Pass amps too but the match with Soulution is breath taking...

Now I see why the Soulution amps are darn expensive. They should recommended cables like Spectral and MIT does.  

So with so little info out there I wanted to ask for you guys for any and feedback, or opinions.

It is really expensive stuff and sure there is some savings because some is former gen cables and they are demo's but still its really expensive stuff so I just was hoping I could get some more info from you folks.

Sorry for long write up but wanted to share my thoughts and my situation and ask for some help on these.

Thanks 
       





128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yes, I am aware of the Ypsilon, and it is definitely one more top brand to consider. However, I prefer this deep powerful slightly on the dark side of neutral sophisticated and dynamic sound created by Flemming Rasmussen. Besides, Ypsilon Phaethon integrated is significantly more expensive than Gryphon Diablo 300 and has no phono stage option, unless this has changed.
There are really good choices at this level.
keithtexas
352 posts
 
I’m watching this thread with some interest. I agree that contrary to common audio system wisdom, a top-flight cable can make ALL the difference, even in a mid-range system. I have invested in MIT interconnect and speaker cables which are the same cost as my front end, and my amp, and almost as much as my [used] Wilson speakers. (All lower level than items discussed here, but wanted to say ’bingo’ on the importance of cables overall). I remember a review I read several years ago where the guy was using $3,500 MIT/Transparent cables and an $1,000 Acurus (sp?) integrated, and he was getting the best sound he had heard from his speakers and mega-buck separate(s) system previously. Wilson and Magico used to demo with MIT. Ears I trust have also mentioned the Stage III and Jorma as A+.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yes, I forgot to mention Jorma from Sweden. Never heard it, though, popular with Jadis and Vitus owners if I remember right.
I have twenty years old Redgun RGi120 integrated, that retailed for I think $1350 at the time. It took Purist Dominus Revision B Ferox power cord, which is probably about the same age and retailed for over $2k, to make it sound as it can. 
I also heard that Dominus works great with Gryphons and many tube amps too so it will probably stay with me forever. I was less impressed with it on my Acoustech phono and CEC belt drive cd player, though it was still better in all respects than CPCC Top Gun. Top Gun is very good for source components.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Believe it or not, I have Purist Aquila cord, designed for digital, on PS Audio regenerator and it works real good there. And the previous owner used it with his Studer A810 open reel deck with great success ! Interesting cord, I would say. 
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,769 posts
 
fsmithjack

Thank You for sharing information regarding your talk with Soulution/Stage III Concepts featuring Brian Ackerman. He is an Audiophile at heart. There is quite a difference in cabling made by hand vs. the mass produced offerings as the discussion revealed. I look forward in reading more about the gear chosen for your system.

Happy Listening!
More to discover