2. cables
  3. 182923-15988

Cable upgrade

I was contemplating a cable change as I recently purchased new speakers, Focal Sopra 1’s. I am running McIntosh MC275’s (mono-blocked). I currently have Goertz MI 2 Veracity cables. I wonder if anyone has experience with Nordost Frey2’s in a similar type system, i.e. tube amps? As the Goertz’s are also of a ’flat wire’ build type, they might be somewhat analogous and carry similar characteristics, with the Nordost doing so at a higher level?

I made a huge jump in speaker capabilities and wonder if I should also upgrade to a higher-level speaker cable also. The dealer listened to my system after we set the speakers, and he stated knowing what he knows about the Focal’s, he felt I was leaving something on the table as to the highs with my current cables. He felt the highs sounded ’ truncated’ and not as open/airy. Yes, I know he’s probably trying to upsell, but he’s been pretty honest in my dealings with him.

I have read many threads here regarding the Frey2's, and they appear to be well liked.

 

TIA

tonydec
soix
9,597 posts
 

Who cares what he thinks?  What do you think?  Mac tends to be a bit softer up top that you may like and he’s just not used to.  If you’re happy, just be happy.  If I’m you and I’m curious, do some research or maybe buy some used Nordost cables and if they’re not a significant improvement just turn around and sell them at little/no loss.  The great thing about cables is they lend themselves very well to buying/selling used and allow you to potentially buy cables at a huge discount.  Also, you really want to give your speakers at least 100 hours of break in before assessing them or other parts of your system.  Just my $0.02 FWIW. 

chayro
2,997 posts
 

Your dealer should be able to demo cables for you to determine whether something sounds better to you. That’s what dealers are supposed to do.  If they can’t or won’t, you might as well buy used and take your chances. 

ghdprentice
7,056 posts
 

Congradulations on your new speakers.

I have several recommendations. Do nothing for at least three or four hundred listening hours. Really get to know the sound of your new speakers / system. The speakers need time to breakin… a couple hundred hours and you need to intimately know what they sound like. Also, speaker placement is critical, and after they are broken in the next step is to carefully get them placed… a couple inches or degrees toe in can really make a difference. Enjoy your purchase.

 

Once you know the sound, inside and out then start thinking about optimizing. You will have to be the judge of what sounds best. But, I will say, I really love high end Nordost… but not their low end stuff. You may think different. The very best cables and worst I have heard on my system have been Nordost.

 

But you cannot just buy new cables and expect them to be optimal, unless you have extensive experience. With what you hear on your system, you should try at least three different brands. WireWorld, Transparent, and AudioQuest are the highest selling in the audiophile community… Nordost, Cardas, and DHLabs are brands you should also consider. Given your Mac… I would not think Cardas would be a good match (but that is still a guess… I haven’t heard your system).

 

I would read up on the cables I mentioned (Stereophile, The Absolute Sound, and HiHi+ reviews, not marketing material)… then borrow… from the lending library from an on-line like The Cable Company and maybe your dealer. You need to not only do some quick A / B comparisons… but if you like a couple pairs… then listen for a few days, then switch… then switch again.

 

I have spent a couple thousand hours comparing cables (interconnects, speaker cables, and power cords). It is well worth the time. Synergistic cables will really improve the performance of your equipment. Well worth the time and money.

 

Good luck on your quest.

More to discover