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Zu Gede: Opinion, Impressions, Comparisons??

Hi all. I have narrowed down my choice for interconnects to a few, one of which is the Zu Gede. I'd like to get any opinions on the cable as well as any comparisons you may have made. Please try keep to info about the Zu Gede, and not simply name alternatives ;)

Looking for info about its sonic characteristics: smoothness, is it warm or clinical, is it bright or dark, is it lean or bass-heavy, is it lush or dry etc.

Cheers,
X
xenithon
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
Hi there,

Thanks for the info. Two quick things:
1. something I need to point out. If I go for the Gede they will be used, as I cannot get them new within my budget. Even if they were new, I cannot trial them as I am outside the US so shipping costs and transit times makes it non-viable.
2. have you heard any of these and can you perhaps make any comparisons (these are the other 2 on my shortlist): Kimber Hero and Audio Art IC-3.

Cheers,
X

PS. Is there any difference between the Gede and the Gede II other than the latter using solderless termination and locking RCA's??
ton1313
272 posts
 
Zu Oxyfule in my system, sounds more revealing than the Kimber hero. The Gede adds even more openness and detail to the presentation, and lowers the noise floor.
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
From someone I know who has both (as well as around 20 other cables):

***
The IC-3 is an all rounder and really great value at its price. It is not the most detailed, most open, or most fluid, but the overall performance is pleasing to the ear. You just can't single out one particular aspects which is too good, or too bad. I haven't tried in on my tube amps, but with SS headamps it works great, with a touch of warmth just enough to give a little more body to the typical SS sound.

The Gede II is a sleeper. At around US$200 it outperforms many more expensive and personally I always prefer the Gede II to the the IC-3. It gives a better sound stage in my opinion, and is more "transparent" than the IC-3. I remember some one comments (through "letter to the editor") in a local audiophile magazine saying that the Gede II is about 95% of Cardas Neutral Reference (which is almost 2.5 times that of Gede II). It is also very close to the Varial (the flag ship interconnect of Zu Cable). If I have a choice, I would go for Gede II any time, compared to IC-3.
***
lngbruno
210 posts
 
I am a big fan of Zu Cables Gede IC too. Shop for them on ebay (under Zu Cable) and you should be able to pick up a pair for around $110/1M if you are patient. That's what I paid about six months ago for my third pair.
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