Speaker cables or interconnects??

Musicallyinclined,

I've only had the Zens for a couple of days and have been initially impressed but they are different from the Monster XP. After listening for a while there seemed to be something missing that I liked about the XP so I reinstalled the Monster XP but just for couple songs and reaffirmed they are too bright so I know I am headed in the right direction at least with upgrading the speaker cables. When I started to reconnect the Zens I noticed ARROWS on the labels and since the cables don't come with instruction manuals (why would they?) I assumed it indicated the direction of "preferred current flow". And of course I had them installed the arrows headed to the amp instead of away from the amp to the speakers. https://www.google.com/search?q=acou...R2yBXHK5IqzWM:
OK, I hope I'm not going absolutely nuts, but I turned them around and could swear there is an improvement, a little more harmonics to the upper register of the piano and more "crash and bite" to percussion. I contacted AZ dealer who told me they needed at least 150 to 200 hours of burn in so you're well within the recommendation. Check out your cables and the arrows on the label, I don't know whether it will make any difference or not.
I am sure my cables need to burn in more but in your situation, it may be that there is "just something missing" and i would go with your gut instincts because this is a very subjective hobby. I now have a system which I feel like is 90% there and getting that last 10% is a bear.
With the satisfaction guarantees of Morrow Audio and Audio Advisor, I have cables from Morrow and Audioquest on the way. It's the only way I think I can decide, try them in my own home in my system.
Thanks for your reply, it's comforting to know I am not alone and going a little crazy.
Mike

So jambalaya

How did the morrow and audioquest cables compare to the Satoris?

You may wish to checkout the REGA QUATTRO bi-wire as a "flat" speaker cable.(They work even better with the REGA COUPLE ICs) Both are made to REGA specs by KLOTZ in Germany.

The Quattro speaker cable is used as the internal wiring in their R9 speakers (and RS10s I think) and the COUPLE IC is standard issue with their $10K ISIS cdp. It also acquitted itself admirably until I upgraded to a NORDOST FREY XLR IC at 5 X the price.

I still use the QUATTRO speaker cable now in my "B" system. Being a flat speaker cable has its obvious advantages vis-a-vis the "WAF", as a bonus.

I sold off my ATLAS ASCENT 3.0 speaker cables cuz the REGA QUATTRO gave me about 95% of the performance in that sysytem at fraction of the price. $($1,200 vs $225).

Gene Rubin Audio thru his Online Store on Ebay carries them.

In my experience, re-installing (moving), any cables that have already been in your system whether it's sc, ic, or pc, will require that you give the cable time to play. This is true of cables that have gone through break-in. It may take hours and sometimes days before your system sound stabilizes. When cables are disconnected and moved, it alters the sound of a system. I think some folks may jump to erroneous conclusions about the sound of their system when changing out cables because they don't allow the system sound to re-stabilize. This has nothing to do with new cables, which are a different story that involves break-in.

I just purchased Stagger silver solids interconnects and they are the best I've ever heard (so far)

Combined with my 10 gauge van den Hul speaker cables they provide a really nice balanced sound

Then there's my power cords that allow the components to perform as designed.

I've found that the power cords and outlets provided some surprisingly good improvements to the 3D sound stage

If you need more details see www.image99.net/blog