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Have AZ Martrix Ref II's/ Compare to Silver Ref 2

I currently have the Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II IC's between my Sony Modwright 999ES and Dussun V8i integrated. How does the Silver Reference II compare to the Matrix Ref II in terms of midrange/ midbass, low end, overeall weight, and slam? I have no experience with silver cables but my research says that silver IC's have a leaner presentation with less midrange fullness, less bass weight, less low end presence and slam. Is this also true of the Silver Reference II compared to the Matrix Reference II? thanks
foster_9
revdeg
32 posts
 
Currently running AZ silver ref2's between CDP and pre; while AZ Matix 2's connect my amp to the pre. I arrived at this because the detail in the silvers firmed up the bass and extended the highs without loosing the mid warmth. However the silvers with the amp didn't seem to help the bass, but made the mids and highs a bit brittle to my ear. Main thing is the AZ's are really great cables for the money in my opinion.

Make it about the music:)
david12
1,454 posts
 
I asked about cables some years ago on the Gon and was guided towards AZ. The advise then was to mix Matrix and Silver reference to get the best of both. I still use AZ, but all Silver reference with Hologram speaker cables and have no plans to change. To me the Silver reference, together, produce a more detailed , dynamic sound, the matrix were more congested in the base particularly. In other systems, the origonal advise about mixing, might work better. As an aside, I think the Hologram made way more difference than the interconnects, but I recently added Walker Audio HDL links to the speaker inputs. They are outrageously expensive new, for what they are, they must cost $10 to make, but they work remarkably well, adding greater clarity to the treble particularly and less hash
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
David, I seem to remember that thread, I may have been part of it. From what I remember, a few people liked using the Silver Ref II in front of the Matrix Ref II. I tried it both ways in my system and it seemed having the Silver before the Matrix produced a larger soundstage and better transparency. Reversing the order resulted in a slightly closed in sound that lacked some life. Foster, as David has found nothing is set in stone and everyone's system's and tastes are different.

As far as comparing the two cables although there is a similar house sound, the really do have very different balances. I tried swapping out the Silver and running two Matriz Ref IIs and it sounded like someone had put a pillow over Diana Krall's face. I await the witicisms, heheh. The Matrix has a slower, organic sound while the Silver is quicker, leaner and more open. They are both very smooth cables. I would say your research applies here as far as how they contrast.

How they sound really depends on your system, and as I change things around I've started to consider a configuration of two Silver Ref IIs like David.

Good luck!
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