Vandersteen and NOT BI WIRE---Your thoughts

FWIW, Daverz's Slate and the Comet I mentioned are both members of AQ's Flat Rock series. In that configuration, the hi-frequency and the lo-frequency bundles of conductors--2 pairs each--are separated maybe a half-inch, in a sort-of-zipcord configuration. Rocket88 is about the same but is less expensive.

Blues..., if you continue to single-wire, understand that the jumpers you use should be of high quality copper, etc.

And as far as taking your system to the next level, as I wrote before, I'd use AQ Comet OR order the 'SoniCraft OCC Special'. There IS a difference in sound quality among speakercables, and either of these will get you closer to the highest degree of transparency.

BTW if you're interested in trying the 4-foot Rocket88-plus-OCC combo cables, I'll sell them for the replacement cost of the OCC conductors, which would be $73, plus shipping. (That means the Rocket88 raw cable and the silver-over-copper spades are free.) E-mail me at jeffreybehr(at)cox(dot)net if you're interested.
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Unfortunately, Audioquest Slate doesn't seem to be available anymore. Is there an equivalent? Also Audio Advisor doesn't see to offer barrier spades as an option anymore. Bummer; it was a really good deal.

I've heard the all the Vandersteens in many different systems, and though I'm not sure of the argument(s) in favor of it, I always felt they sounded best with bi-wired identical separate runs of the same speaker cables. I'd suggest you contact Alpha-Core for a free trial of 2 sets of Goertz MI or AG 3 speaker cables with zobels.

I just changed the speaker cables in both systems to Mapleshade Helix and Double Helix cables and I have not heard better speaker cables. Despite their 30 day return policy, they are keepers. Clarity, phase accuracy, dynamics and extension are all improved over the Tara, Harmonic Tech, Tranparent cables I have used in the past.

"Unfortunately, Audioquest Slate doesn't seem to be available anymore. Is there an equivalent?"

I don't know if Rocket88 is better or worse, but it's a fine cable well suited to single biwiring, it uses DBS to keep the cable broken in, and it's available with the correct small spades at the speaker end.
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