Purist Proteus Provectus tonearm cable.

Thanks JFrech for the update. The veiling was indeed my experience with the Venustas and Dominus phono cables but the midrange bloom was great....especially with the Dominus. But once I auditioned the Stealth Hyperphono, it was very clear how dated these two Purist cables were. The Stealth made me aware of so much more clarity and extension and silence between the notes. I was stunned by how poorly the Purist cables sounded when I went back to the Dominus for one last listen. It sounds like the new Purist would be worthy of an audition.

Sirspeedy: I had the IC-70 for a month several months ago. This was a major disappointment as I had high hopes for this cable. Compared to the less costly Silver Audio Silver Breeze, the IC-70 was grainy, dimensionally flat and had a mediocre extension on top. It was a no-go with the Graham 2.2 and Zeta with Clearaudio Accurate, Koetsu RWS and a high output Sumiko Virtuoso. Like I said, quite a disappointment. If you have a friend with deep pockets, I suggest that the two of you give the Stealth a listen. I saw one sell here last week for $1900. It appears that this is inline with the cost of a new Provectus. This would be a worthwhile cable shootout one of these days.

John

Here's my hesitation,in recommending ANY phono cable,as "written in stone"....

I've already compared the superb Venustas with a fully broken in IC-70,at a friend's home.

There were other "experienced" ears present.The IC-70 was far from defficient to us,and as a matter of fact clearly outperformed the Venustas in dynamics,and bass(at the time).It was equal in virtually any other area,and seemed more open as well.

Yet,it seems this is a touchy subject,and with the extreme pricing of cabling,you simply have to tread carefully!Partnering equipment,and personal tastes really are a factor!

Since the original comparison,the Venustas has broken in,and though we haven't bothered(it "IS" a bother,btw)to re-check our initial findings,the "V" does sound damn good in my friend's set-up.Mainly because his set-up is SO damn good,in the first place!!
As to the Stealth,I have NO doubt it is a good cable,but after viewing the all too common high pricing on their site,it is just becomming too much to keep abreast(from an interest standpoint)of all the competition!Then there's the "Zero One"...Faggedaboutit!!!....This is exactly where the "OLD TAS would have come in!!Not gonna happen again,sadly!!

Purist "IS" a well known name,and we already know the Venustas is very good,so the Proteus is to be considered,by some(not me,btw).Actually a close friend,who is a bit obsessed.

What can I say?I'll be happy to simply spin vinyl again when my pre/phono comes back,with the new V-Teflon caps,I'm having installed!...But by "then",there will be new/better updates....NO?

Best

Jafox,I've been doing some research,awaiting the "near closure"(finally) of my component issues(I should be "way" ahead,sonically,of where I started,if I've done my homework correctly,and have my fingers crossed).

Yes,the Stealth looks to be a "fabulous" product.I DO see where the little things,in the design,can "really" benefit a high res set-up!

The web pages referring to the difference between sensitivity of a phono interconnect vs a line level interconnect is eye opening,and thought provoking!!

My "Venustas" pal(who is on the fence regarding a new/improved phono cable) will most likely be looking at the Proteus,and the Zero One,but I've got to "pitch" the Stealth you mention,and let him make the choice(with my independant "influence",ahem,ahem -:)....Only problem is,I don't believe it is made any longer.

Is this the case?

Also,Jfrech...still loving the Proteus?

Best

Sirspeedy....The Hyperphono is a fabulous product indeed. I'd be willing to bet that the Graham 2.2/Hyperphono could match and possibly outperform the Phantom/IC-70 in many ways. When you hear the clarity brought on by the Hyperphono, the result is dramatic rather than subtle. There's no going back.

As for the Hyperphono not being made any longer, I do not know but the only way to find out is to email Stealth and find out. I saw one sell a few weeks ago for $1800 and I almost bought it for my 2nd tonearm here. But I resisted as I am having a Counterpoint SA-2 getting a major overhaul.

John

Sirspeedy:

Still LOVIN the Proteus.

I have made a number of changes in the last 2 weeks. Wilson Maxx 2 for WP 8's, Nagra VPS for BAT VKP10SE superpak and today new Tung-sol 6sn7's and 6v6's in my BAT amps...