Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II vs. Absolute Copper IC's

@mikem:

Sorry for the delayed response. We've been hit hard by three feet of snow coupled with ongoing power outage and power's not projected to return until 1/7. I'm on generator and can't stay long. 

Anyway, I use Audio Art speaker cable. I have long runs (20 feet) and when I started out, that's what I could afford. I've upgraded all my other cables over time (some, more than once) but not the speaker cable and I can't see doing it until we live somewhere that affords much shorter runs. 

The storm's brought a halt to my experimenting but The Cable Co. has generously granted me an extension on the loaner cable. I will try combining the A. Copper and Silver Ref. with the Lokius, next. 

I have not been able to get a remotely neutral sound out of the Absolute Copper IC's. They are incredibly dark in my system. Of course, YMMV. 

The Silver Reference were brighter than I prefer with the Hegel BUT I have since changed out a power cord, inserted Herbies Threaded Stud Gliders back into my speaker stands and things are sounding much closer to what I like. 

By contrast, I was not able to find any work-a-rounds to lift the system out of the stygian depths with the A. Coppers in place. Combining them with a pair of the Silver Reference via the Lokius with the EQ tweaked did not succeed, so I'm returning them to The Cable Company. 

I will keep the system as currently configured for awhile and continue to evaluate.

Having just come off an in-depth search for an integrated, I don't have the energy at this point to immediately embark upon a cable "grail quest". 

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. 

Happy to hear you got your power back on ahead of schedule :) 

@mclinnguy:

Thanks-- that was a total surprise but after 8 days, a most welcome one! 

Now, if the propane company would just deliver. . . ;o)

BTW, I read up on the vdH IC's and discovered that The Cable Co. stocks them. 

I will keep them in mind for the future.