Transparent , Kubala , Luminous , or RS Poiema

Drubin, I guess it comes down to how we define synergy and also how we avoid getting trapped into choosing components, particularly cables, for the sake of correcting other flaws in our system. How often do we see a forum here where someone is asking for a cable that has more bass or may bring more emotion to their otherwise uninvolving system. Such a priority seems a bit goofy....unless the cable they are currently using is severely flawed relative to the other elements in the system.

I've played with many line stages, phono stages and amps, all tubed gear here, to know that at least the NBS, K-S, Purist and now Stealth cables have a consistent "house" sound from component to component. The system reacts much the same way as to whether or not it is an IC or PC of the same brand/model.

Putting aside the tonality issues for which people seem to focus on to match cables and components, I have found that cables that excel to bring through the spatial and dynamic characteristics of the music are consistent with any component. I may notice varying degrees of tonal peaks and valleys between the cables, but decaying notes, placement of musicians on the stage, or the initial strike of a piano note is either clearly there or not with each cable. Perhaps my findings would be very different with ss gear but I highly doubt it.

The hybrid Counterpoint NPS400 amp that I use now and then as a backup amp reacts the same way to the above cables as do the Wolcott and CAT amps. And the CAT Ultimate II that I had on loan for a few months reacts the same way to cables as does the Aesthetix Io/Callisto. Drop in Dominus cables here and these preamps respond the same way: greater dynamic contrasts and low-end extension vs. the NBS Statement. You can still hear the significant differences between the CAT and the Aesthetix. The refined cables allow me to hear both of these components to new levels. But the cables do not influence which component I ultimately purchase as the set of pros/cons between the two preamps remains consistent no matter cable is used to compare the two.

Perhaps the question is not to search for a cable that has "more bass" or is more "involving," but rather a question of searching for a cable that allows low frequencies to pass as well as the mid-range (where the whole "involving” thing stems from) as compared to lesser cables.

Well, I certainly struck a nerve...I agree with you Jafox and I...Hmm, sit corrected. Yesterday I had an epiphany with cast cables that set my thinking on end! Bottom line is that you need to enjoy whatever music it is that you listen to...I was way out of line!

Jayfox....I have the Stealth ICs....so I already admire them...what about the speaker cables? Do they share the same sonic traits (or lack thereof if u know what I mean)?

Henryhk: I have not yet heard the Stealth speaker cables. I know a couple people who use the Dream speakr cable and swear by these things. I am reluctant to listen to them as I might not be able to send them back....and their cost is scarey. And still to this day, speaker cables affect the sound less than phono cables, ICs and PCs in my system. As I replace each PC with the Dream PC, perhaps the speaker cable will affect the sound even greater...I don't know. This coming week I will finally get a chance to hear the Indra vs. the Jade cables in my system. The result of this will set the stage for the 4 ICs to be used here. I will report back on this after giving both products a fair shake. It is exciting to be so close to finally having my system fully configured with high-performance cables. It's the last thing I have focused on here.