Nordost Tyr 2 Spkr Cables - Alternate for less $$

Zd542's response, although not necessarily what we want to hear is the correct one.

I've been wrestling with the cable question for some time seeking the best &/or a giant (read costly) killer, and given the almost infinite number of our individual system variables, there is no one or right answer.

As much as I dispise cable auditioning, that's the only way to find something that beats something else. Price may enter into it, but the relationship may be anything other than what is logical! Obviously all the cable manufacturers & sellers would like us to believe otherwise.

I too agree with ZD. And I'll add the following thoughts:

I would consider the possibility that what may be happening is not so much that you are preferring the Nordost cables in themselves, but rather that you, or more specifically your amplifier, aren't reacting well to the Goertz cables. Although the two cables obviously have some physical similarity in that they are flat, their electrical parameters, especially their capacitances, are DRASTICALLY different. In fact, about as different as it's possible to get. The Goertz cables have ultra-high capacitance, while the Nordost cables have exceptionally low capacitance. Many amplifiers do not react well to the capacitive load presented by the Goertz cables, at least if the cables are not used with Zobel networks. And if you have been using Zobels, as is often done with Goertz cables, perhaps the sonic effects of the Zobels in themselves, as well as the cables, are contributing significantly to your preference for the Nordosts.

So I would not be surprised if MANY cables that are far less expensive than the Nordosts, but that are more conventional in their electrical characteristics than the Goertz (and are therefore not as extremely dissimilar to the Nordosts in their electrical characteristics), would eliminate most or all of the issues that the comparison between the two cables has revealed.

If you haven't been using Zobels with your Goertz cables, that would be the first thing I would try. And if you have done that, I would pursue the suggestions ZD has provided.

Regards,
-- Al

One further thought: From the perspective of the amplifier, by using the Goertz cables in a biwire configuration you are doubling their already extremely high capacitance.

I don't know if the biwire configuration of the MI-2 provides one pair of terminations for each channel at the amp end or two pairs, but if it is physically practical to do so I would certainly try disconnecting one of the two runs at BOTH ends and putting jumpers on the speakers. That would cut the capacitance in half, although it would still be much higher than the capacitance of most other cables.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Akg_ca, I was hoping it was more than wishful thinking, but you are right and to a large degree you get what you pay for, so finding something close for far less is unlikely.

Zd542 and Mrmb, thanks for your input. I thought of doing the Cable Company trial. Probably the right thing to do, but I know my system well enough to hear when I have a significant improvement, which the Nordost Tyr 2 have caused. It is also unlikely I can do better than the Nordost Tyr 2 at the price I am paying, so I may go ahead and purchase them.

Almarg, thanks for the technical information and thanks for contributing to this. The Goertz may be a mismatch in my system. I have tried the Zobel network and it did not make a difference, but the high capacitance might be a problem.

Lastly, thanks to all for your input. I am going to listen for another week and decide whether to buy or do more auditioning via the Cable Company

Best Regards,

Jim Perry

You're welcome, Jim.

Regarding "you get what you pay for," in the context of cables, you may find this thread to be of interest.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al