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What to replace Nordost speaker cable?

I currently use Nordost Red Dawn speaker cables between a Krell 400xi and Focal Micro Utopia Be's. The cables are 2m long and I think sound pretty good in my system. That being said, they are a huge pain to connect and situate in my equipment rack because they are flat ribbon cables. I'm moving soon so now would be the best time to replace them.

I'm looking for recommendations, but I do like the "Nordost" sound or lack of or whatever it's called (no flames please). I've looked at Cardas, Kimber, Audioquest, etc. as they all have a good reputation and I'm not very familiar with other smaller companies. I will say this though. I tried Canare starquad cable and yes, it sounded different. Muted and rolled off highs, compared to the Red Dawn.

Another option might be to just get 3m Red Dawn for a little more slack.

Thanks,
gherrera1
gherrera1
xti16
1,525 posts
 
Gherreral - I had a Bryston B100sst and thought it was quite good. It wasn't until my local dealer brought to my home an Octave V70SE for me to demo. Even before the tubes warmed up the Octave just destroyed the Bryston in every way. Since then I have been tube rolling to get even better sound from it. Better sound stage and imaging. I can't say enough good things about it.

I used to have a rack that made swapping anything but cd's a royal pain. I now have a pARTicular Full suspension rack. Really cool looking with great isolation. Due to its design it does wobble if bumped but it's supposed to. I will admit this rack isn't for everyone but it works just perfect for me. Swapping components is a breeze now.

Have you thought of adding a sub? I have a Rel B3 and it really adds to overall presentation of sound. Not just deeper bass notes. Another major upgrade for the sub was to replace the stock Rel cable with a custom (Rel spec) Nordost Baseline cable. I heard attack and decay I never knew existed.
gherrera1 OP
88 posts
 
Go4Vinyl, are you serious? You liked them that much? I never auditioned the BH, but maybe I should have! These Heimdall cables have transformed my system into something special. I'm not sure the BH would have the same effect though.

Xti16, funny you mention tubes and a sub. I've thought about both, just haven't upgraded. I really like the the Nagra VPA mono blocks, but 50 watts per side may not be enough. The Krell puts out 200 a side and sometimes I use every last watt is seems like.

A sub would fill in the very lowest notes I suppose. The Focal's do ok, but there isn't any deep bass. I'll have to look into Rel. I've heard good things about their subs.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
As far as power (at least with my 85db dyns) they need current. My Octave is 70w @4ohm where my Bryston was 180w @4ohm. The Octave has a world more control than the Bryston. For Solid State the Naim XS @60W is also much better than the Bryston. Watts can be deceiving.

As far as a sub - when set up properly it will add to the mid range and sound stage. Oh and it does add that last octave or 2 on the low end when it's there. Not all music goes that low.
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