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Cables that are more enhanced than Acoustic Zen

I am needing to go into a biamp situation (solid state for woofers) and two sets for the top end - using a zero speltz impedance box in the chain (mid and highs - otl mono block tube amps) Since my current speaker wires are Acoustic Zen Satori shotgun bi-wires I will unfortunately need to move on and completely redo my speaker cables in my system.I might look at interconnects at the same time for addtional system synergy,

I've done a bit of reading in old threads but feel a new post for my current bi-amp situation would be appropriate

I really like the strengths of the Acoustic Zen speaker cables - I also have the original Matrix IIs. Tonally balanced - revealing yet warm, dynamic, good seperation of instruments and great soundstage both width and depth.

I play upright bass so reproducing the warm tones inherant to the instrument is critical

Some have said that Acoustic Zen sound a little grainy - I've heard elements of that on the interconnects, and swapped them out for Straightwire Crescendos, Purist Audio Aqueous 50th. The Crescendos may be just slightly veiled (very subtle) the PAD are very dark and lack a little dynamics but are tonally balanced (I hear their more expensive cables are not dark and lacking)

I haven't tried anything higher up the Acoustic Zen line. I usually stay away from silver - I am very sensitive to bright high freqencies (a few concussions along the way) -I have 16+k hearing. I've had Cardas golden cross but it wasn't dynamic enough and too warm.

Cables suggested were morrow, higher level pad,
The Nordost I've heard I didn't like. Clear Day I have never heard of. Anticables I didn't care for.

My equipment Galibrier Gavia (currently triplanar wiring), Doshi Aalap Preamp, audio research cd2, atma sphere ma-1 tube mono blocks to speltz zeros impedance converter, qsc bass amp, and Salk Soundscape 10 speakers,

What cables would you recommend that wouldn't be incredibly expensive and have a tonally balanced sound leaning to the warm side with great dynamics and soundstage?

I would need 10 ft runs to the bass drivers. Should I go shorter on the top end, and small lengths on the "jumpers" from the zeros to the speakers?

Morrow SP5's sound interesting

Anyone went from Acoustic Zen to another cable? Or higher up the AZ line?

Would like to stay under $1000 on a 10' pair
unless the next step up is jaw dropping
Obviously broken in used would be nice

Thanks

Tom
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tom6897
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Audiotomb

I In my system I noticed that the Morrow cables were slightly less warm... more neutral, which is what I strive for. I found them to be faster and more transparent offering greater resolution to my system as a whole. Soundstage width and depth were also enhanced.
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
The woofers are rolled off at 39 hz so hopefully it won't be a big issue.
Hi Tom,

Not sure, then, that I understand what the configuration is that you will be going to. From the description of the SoundScape 10:
We had, for many years, loved the woofer used in our HT3’s. So when it came time to select a woofer for the SoundScape design, we turned to John Janowitz at Acoustic Elegance. John helped us design 10” and 12” woofers that provide the bass extension we desired along with the smooth upper end response, allowing us to cross to the midrange around 300Hz.
If I correctly understand what you are intending to do, the concern would be optimization of coherence in the area of that 300 Hz frequency. The 39 Hz rolloff has no relevance to that.

Regards,
-- Al
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audiotomb OP
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AL

sorry I left off a decimal place
390 hz roll off

I wish speaker wire prices would leave off a decimal place
$500 would go a long way
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb OP
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the cable company is suggesting Cardas Clear Light

I had Cardas Cross or Golden Cross 10 years ago and I thought it was too warm, over bloomed in the midrange and lacked dynamics

they told me the pad venustas wouldn't be my cup of tea if I found the Aqueous Anniversary dark

5% is a lot to put down especially if you end up being stuck paying close to retail

I know, you must have it in the system to fully evaluate it's synergy

I thought about the 60 day trial cables like Morrow or Clear Day but I hate to sample in not fully good faith and with the very limited time the cable company gives you, that's feels like speed dating

also any Audio Dharma cable cooker converts? I'd be interested in your comments
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jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Search the archives, I believe there are many there who would disagree with the cable company's claim that the Venustas is as dark as the Aqueous. Venustas is silver-plated copper, Aqueous is gold plated copper, big difference in my opinion.

Have you considered the Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval 8 cables? Another reco would be Tara Labs, Air 1, The One or The Two, whichever falls in your price range.
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