2. cables
  3. 153164-137434

Recommendation for an audiophile speaker cord that is not "bright"?

A friend has loaned me the Nordost Valhalla I and II as well as Nordost Frey 2 cables. They are wonderful speaker cables but do emphasize the "brightness" of my system including my Wilson audio Sahsa 2 speakers.

Any suggestions? Would used Transparent cables provide a richer bottom end? What about Audience Reference?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. - Thank you - Gerry
128x128ruraltraumasurgeon
Post removed 
ruraltraumasurgeon's avatar
ruraltraumasurgeon OP
29 posts
 
oldhvymec-

The Mcintosh C22 is a new version of an old model: https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/preamplifiers/C22

Online, others have been critical of the combination of this McIntosh preamp with an ARC power amplifier. It may be that a solid-state power amplifier is better (avoiding the controversy of A, versus AB, versus D, versus tubes). 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,407 posts
 
I had my McIntosh C2500 tube preamp mated to a Conrad-Johnson MF2550 solid state amp.  Sounded horrible unless you like the sound slow and syrupy.  The McIntosh MC152 and now the MC302 sound incredible with the C2500 preamp.  
Post removed 
unfairlane's avatar
unfairlane
140 posts
 

ruraltraumasurgeon OP14 posts12-22-2019 3:24pmQuite an interesting discussion. A few things on my end:

1. My current speaker cables are labeled "Transparent high performance 10-2 10 AWG (upgradeable)."
-----------------

You will not believe this until you hear it, but even if those cables are a quite heavy gauge they are still unable to let the amp breath freely. Several thin conductors will perform like thin conductors even if they represent a low R. 
**Unlike the other participants here I`m speaking out of years of experience and not what I "think" or feel.
This simple speakercable-trick is the biggest uppgrade anyone can do to a good system, even if solid core pc`s represent a gamechanger too.
More to discover