Alpha Core Goertz......need recommendations

Rick,

I too have used Goertz cables, though not with Perreaux, and would second certain aspects of what Sean had to say (warmth & bass). On a different note, I believe that (in my system) the Goertz were overly warm and somewhat blurred in contrast to what I now use. This may be purely synergy related – but worth pointing out.

To contrast one of Sean’s comments I found the Goertz MI-2’s to have an edge or sibilant quality …nowhere near as smooth as the Silversmith speaker cables I now use. THAT blows my mind, because literally EVERYONE I spoke with insisted that silver would ‘brighten’ the sound and make it more edgy and un-listen-able. What a load of crrrrrrap! While this might not be the normal experience with Silver cables it’s mine. I might also add that when I first purchased the Goertz MI-2’s the speakers I was using were less than full range, so I really appreciated the bass that the Goertz produced. The speakers I now use (NHT 3.3’s) are decidedly more full range.

As a reference and contrast the Silversmith silver ribbons do not have the bass that the Goertz had, and at first blush - appeared to be lean. Time has demonstrated that while the overall perspective is one of less overall bass the Silversmiths actually go deeper than the Goertz did, but do everything with greater focus. I liken this experience to looking at an object through lenses… when out of focus an image appears larger – but it’s really blurred, when in-focus the image appears smaller, but what’s actually appearing is the objects true size and form.

I really loved my Goertz cables, and if it weren't for my current cabling I'd still be using them. MI-2 speaker wire, balanced and RCA Goertz Sapphire's (Excellent Silver IC's!). For great sound on a budget you could do a lot worse than Goertz.

Regards,
Mike

I've owned RS-1B's (superb speaker, by the way...just too
big for my present room). I'm using Alpha-core Goertz
MI-2 speaker cables, and Tourmaline IC's to the power amp,
Goertz Sapphire in the system. I'm very pleased with the
Goertz cables, and have used MIT, Kimber and Monster in
previous systems. I think the Goertz are a tremendous value.

I have have great experience with the larger diameter Goertz cables, such as Sapphire Interconnects and AG2 speaker cables. The smaller interconnects are precise but less bass. The interconnects have high capacitance so use short runs only. Not sure about the speaker cables.

The Micropurl interconnects are not that high in capacitance even though the design looks somewhat similar to their speaker cable design. They took this into account when designing them. That is why they have the "extra" third conductor in them. The placement of this "dead" conductor increases inductance, bringing the cables much closer to what one would expect from "normal" interconnects. This also adds some versatility to these cables, as they can easily be converted from a two conductor RCA cable to a three conductor balanced cable.

Awdeeofyle, were you using impedance compensation networks with the Goertz when you ran them ? What you describe sounds like an amp on the edge of oscillation i.e. lack of clarity and focus. When an amp goes into oscillation, you see that type of "image" on a scope. While you can see the "correct" or "primary" image, it is floating in a haze of oscillation. It looks fuzzy, lacks detail and definition and is nowhere near as clean or pure as it should be. Once the oscillation is removed and stability restored to the circuit, the clarity and focus are back to what they should have been to begin with.

The reason that i said it sounded like your specific amp was on the edge of oscillation is that you would have smelled it cooking itself to death if it was in "hardcore" oscillation. The smell of "burnt electronics" is unmistakable. Due to differences in design and bandwidth, some amps are more stable than others. As such, some will self destruct while others will not flinch in the same exact situation.

The bottom line is system synergy and personal preference. Since we are the ones that have to live with and listen to our systems, we might as well make ourselves happy as best we can. Go with what you like, regardless of brand or cost. That is why i have several different brands of cables in several different systems. There is no one cable that is universally the "best" in my opinion. Sean
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