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AU24e Interconnects - but warmer

Hi Guys,

Wondering if anyone could assist on interconnect cable advice. I recently got some Audience Au24e interconnects (RCA) on Audiogon. Amazing levels of detail, openness and transparency, but with my listening (lots of female voices) it is just a bit too harsh on the upper mid / top end. Eveything else I love about this cable, but I can't live with it. I am using Paradigm Studio 100's v5 with a Marantz PM-15S2 Amp and SA-15S2 CDP. Speakers are quite forward in their character and I have wooden floors (hence needing some warmth). Any ideas on an interconenct that is a bit smoother (and max ~$400 second hand) but still gives good detail (which I love)? I was thinking something in the Cardas range (Microtwin - I have heard this is warm, but perhaps too?, Golden Cross etc?)

Thanks Guys!
dwnload
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,377 posts
 
Tara labs cables would be a good choice. The air 1 is a pretty good sounding cable and right at your price range.
ml8764ag's avatar
ml8764ag
510 posts
 
I found the Au24s to be harsh too with various electronics...lots of hype a decade or so back...but very disappointing to my ears...same thing with the speaker wires.

I say try Audio Art cables...the are very economical and (to me) very musical and natural...If you don't like them, you can return them... I now run nothing but AA interconnects...(FWIW: I'm not as fond of their speaker cables)
erikt
269 posts
 
What speaker cables are you running?

Some folks are proponents of having a consistent cable/IC 'loom' from the same vendor.

That should also be factored into the search for overall system synergy.

Aren't the Marantz components known for being 'warm'-ish?
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
Are you running a bi-wire spk. cable to your spks? If so, try running a single cable to the low freq. spk. binding posts tend use the jumpers that came w/the spks. The reason I mention this, I had a touch of too much detail/treble w/my KRIX Synphonix Floorstanders using an internal bi-wire setup w/ Kimber 8VS. When I went to a single cable just to the low freq. posts, I noticed a little more warmth and slightly less detail. It what was needed. Just a thought.
dwnload OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I have some reading and searching to do!

@Kotta RE Bi-wire, I am only running a single run, and have it connected to the high frequency terminals. I have ordered some decent jumpers and when they arrive will move it to the lower frequency terminal to see if this helps, and maybe just try it with the manufacturer jumper as suggested.

@Erikt
My speaker cable is the AU24 and I'll be hanging on to that one. Yes I believed Marantz to have a warm character too, hence the AU24e interconnects. But I think my room is partly to blame, but I have done all I can (rug, heavy curtains) without taking over the downstairs of my place. Plus, the metal tweeter on the Paradigm Studio's (metal tweeter, quite a forward speaker) probably also contributes. But overall, very happy with the speakers.

@Philjolet - Agreed, however I did have a chance to hear the AU24e's in a much warmer system (Quad 606 and Kef's) and they sounded a lot better and quite neutral, but the AU24's really aren't suitable for forward / bright electronics and speakers at all.

@Mechans: Last night I did have a chance to borrow some v.old Cardas 300-B Microtwin's (which are a heap better than the current model) and they added some real warmth! Very musical cables, but I did lose some detail and soundstage, but I could live with it, (however they weren't for sale!).
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