Transparent Cable comparisons across both level and generation

Thanks, jafant!

I just found an 8ft pair of Super Gen 5 yesterday for a good price so got those on order and the dealer is seeing what Gen 5 Super balanced IC he can get for me.  He had one 1m pair and I need another plus a 5m.  

Excited for the outcome

dhite71

Nice choice! The Music link Super is certainly the sweet-spot in Transparent's catalog. The music improves as you go up the chain/tier.

Happy Listening!

👍😊

Thanks everyone for your ideas.  Got the Super Gen 5 speaker cables connected last night and have been listening a lot since.  I have not gone back to see how the difference compares but just from listening it does seem as if I am getting everything that has been described.  I think what is standing out the most is a cleaner soundstage with greater isolation of voices and instruments.  I am shopping for used Super balanced IC now.  I spoke to one dealer and he said when you get the entire system converted over to Transparent that you will see the greatest results.  

The cables are very stiff so was a bit challenging to get them into position.  It will be no simple task to swap out and back in so not sure it is even worth the experience as I am definitely sold on the upgrade.  I got these used so unsure how brand new cables are for the initial set up.  I recall years ago getting a random upgraded power cord in the box when I bought a used amp as the guy lost the original.  It was also extremely stiff and was hard to get to stay in a component socket.  The end/plug eventually separated from the cord while the wires remained intact.  It made me laugh because there were three 16 gauge wires inside this super stiff clear rubber hose that was reinforced within the plastic with some mesh material.  There was nothing there to shape to ever stay, it was simply flexible but always wanted to remain as straight as possible.  These seem to have more pliability and will take on some shape so hopefully I can keep working with them to become relaxed in their new configuration.  

Does anyone have advice on that process?

I have some super gen 5 biwire speaker cables on the way to see how they sound vs. my current cardas golden reference biwire speaker cables. I recently added golden reference xlr interconnects and they sound wonderful with my setup. I didn’t quite get the same result when I added the golden reference speaker cables. They sounded better over time as they had been sitting awhile and needed a quick break-in. However, I’m not sure they are as good a match as the golden reference interconnects. I too was debating between super gen 5 and ultra mm2 speaker cables. My gear consists of a mark levinson 383 integrated, cambridge audio 851 cdp and revel f30 speaker cables. I also had emailed transparent at one point and asked which of these transparent cables would be a better match. Their reply was frustrating in that they couldn’t (more like wouldn’t) answer my question. But, added that their current generation would be best. I get it that they want to sell new cables; but with their upgrade program (and previous generations of cables being sent to dealers for resale) you would think they would be more accommodating. Where do you think I got these super gen 5’s?