2. cables
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A cable too perfect?

I recently acquired an Audionet AMP 1 v2 that only accepts RCA single ended connections. Since all my cabling was balanced, I had to start looking for replacements for my Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II's. Of course I could just get an RCA pair of those, as I like the sound, but I thought I would take the opportunity to check out some other options. I also thought I would start on the lower end cost-wise. I had some old Audioquest RCA's laying around and used those to start. And I bought some low cost Acoustic Zen WOW's to tide me over. And then on to Stager Silver Solids, I like these, but I don't think I love them. I also bought some Neotech cable and connectors and I am working on building a set.

But then, my dream cables showed up at a significant bargain, Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper! I was quite excited to add these to my system, and they replaced the Stager silver cables. Well, to say the difference was striking is not sufficient. The level of clarity and detail is amazing, and the soundstage is excellent. At first I thought they were kind of bright, but that is not the case, I think it is just the extreme clarity. A friend came over and he did not think they were bright either.

So, the problem, I don't find them engaging. It is possible the sound is a bit on the lean side. Everything is there, but there does not be a sum to the parts that is the music, yet I think they are absolutely accurate. It is slightly better if I turn it up, but I don't tolerate higher volumes for long, and value a system that sounds good at lower volumes. I prefer a bit of warmth, although I like to term it as a "richer" sound. 

They have only been in place for a few days, so I will give them a bit more time. I know the answer, "try something else", but curious if others have run into such stark contrasts and is this what I can expect at the higher end of the cable world?

Suggestions for alternatives that might suit my needs are welcome, if you have actually tried them, and you believe that cables make a difference.

zlone
decooney
2,172 posts
 

@zlone "...Keep in mind that I have used several sets of interconnects with this system already, and there was no issue with leanness."

 

Had a full loom of "great" cables like this once. It did not start out this way, but seemed to become increasingly "less engaging" of a sound as I added more of the exact same type of cable throuhout the entire system. Tonal balance was lost.

Yes, letting the cables and dielectric relax and settle inside of each cable 200+ hours did help and sound did change some for the better, but that leanness you refer to was still kinda there. Did not really go away. It was simply not a great match for my amp and preamplifier at the time was the final conclusion. Took a while to admit this and back out of it all - to literally start over from scratch. Went back to a baseline. Others have suggested that familiar "baseline". Then I read the statement you posed above.

Sure, give it more time. If that does not work, go back to the entire set of those former/familiar cables and listen for 2 weeks. You’ll find your answer with no more advice from anyone here needed. Hopefully you kept a few of those old cables around to re-test.  Exactly the reason I don't immediately resell former cables. 

Sometimes pairing up an amplifier known for that added "clarity" and "detail" with a set of cables known for the same characteristics can give you exactly that as.a result. I’ve found some combinations of expensive cables can simply tilt too far in a direction you now hear as no longer being "engaging". This can happen.

 

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
641 posts
 

@decooney yes

Kind of like salting potatoes: "more, that's better, yeah more, more- Woah, too much!"

fleschler
2,028 posts
 

System matching is critical.  I never had a cable mismatch wherein the sound was only acceptable at low volumes and not at high volumes.  Until 2023, I only used tube gear.  Now I have solid state amps and phono pre-amp.  

I can attest to the vast differences any one particular cable can make.  My friend and I both purchased Paradox Pulse SPDIF digital cables.  We both used Topping D70s DACs and similar high quality transports.  In his 1980s all tube system (Luxman C35 3 and RAM RM 9), his digital sound was lean and lacking in bass.  In my system, it has a rich, full bodied sound with big bass slam.  Detailed in both systems.  So, he then swapped in my GroverHuffman SPDIF cable.  In his system it restored all the bass and warmth.  In my system, it did the same but sounded smeared in that imaging was blurred at the speaker.  We both have VS speakers.  

It's a hassle, but cabling has to be heard in a system to determine one's sound preferences as well as coherence within the system.  

decooney
2,172 posts
 

 

@mclinnguy decooney yes Kind of like salting potatoes: "more, that’s better, yeah more, more- Woah, too much!"

 

As simple as that explanation seems about "salt", I guess I never thought about it like that, spices and all - so true. Great analogy. I think @hilde45 likes to use the food analogy too quite a bit. Something we all can relate to every day we eat.

Same kind goes with lightly sugared cake maybe, it can be fantastic and delicate tasting with the right balance, not too much. It really does capture the idea of it all. yes

 

zlone OP
756 posts
 

@vthokie83  Which Neotech cable and connectors are you using? The right ones could be the solution, the wrong ones more of the same

Sorry, I forgot to answer this question. I am using the NEMO-I3220 on this page:

https://www.neotechcable.com/NEMOI-cable.html

And for connectors:

https://canadianhifi.com/shop/parts/rca/neotech-ner-occ-gd-rca-rca/

I started down this path before the AZ Absolutes became available at a great price. My goal was to experiment along the same lines with rectangular OCC Copper, which is used in the Absolutes, but probably in a different configuration/geometry.

Challenging cable and connectors to work with, but I completed these cables yesterday and have them breaking in on my system. I will play them for a week or two and then put the Absolutes back in and condense my thoughts. 

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