Audience AU24 vs Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference

I've had good results using the AU24s between my Electrocompaniet EMC1 and Thor TA-100 tube preamp, with a set of AZ Silver Ref Is completing the signal chain to a Bruce Moore Dual 70 tube amp.

The AU24s do favor the midrange, putting vocals and solo intruments a little more forward in the soundstage than the AZs. The AZs between the pre and amp round out the overall presentation by slightly emphasizing the frequency extremes. The overall result is a very balanced presentation with a nice wide soundstage, great imaging and excellent frequency extension.

By the way, I've tried reversing the order of the interconnects, but felt that the highs became slightly brighter, while the mids were not as warm and lifelike. Interestingly, as others have mentioned, I find that I can easily hear the differences by focusing on the way cymbals are reproduced. Must be that combination of transient attack, upper midrange fundamentals, overtones and decay.

Hope this helps.

Hey thanks Marco. When I listen to music I always hope to be moved emotionally, so when writing about my impressions they tend to be expressed in the same way, and not very analytical. If you got my e-mail you know what I mean, heheh.

I'm glad I was able to help Phil. Yes, I believe the AZ will bring you closer to that magical cymbal shimmer. If you currently have what you feel is a balanced cable scheme and insert the Silver Ref II anywhere, I think you'll be shocked by the extra clarity with cymbals.

For a few months I was using Silver Ref II from my DAC to preamp with full-sounding Mullard tubes in the DAC. During the course of my preamp testing I changed the tubes in the DAC to more revealing Siemens CCas and the DAC to preamp interconnect with Matrix Ref II. I was surprised that the balance was almost the same, but with just a slightly fuller sound.

However, if you swap out the Matrix Ref II for a Silver Ref II without any other changes you'll find that a massive amount of sonic information will suddenly become available, especially in the high frequency percussion you like. This is quite amazing and seductive initally, but I found that over time I had difficulty staying in the music because the overall balance became much thinner and areas I felt that should have a fuller, earthier presentation like acoustic guitars and pianos became too lean for me. They lost all their weight.

So I disagree that one is better than the other. They're just very different in this respect, and how they perform will depend on the rest of your system and what you value in playback.

But for you my friend, I'd like to say that when substituting the Silver Ref II for the Matrix Ref II in my system, the details revealed with cymbals and top hats become so abundant it's almost as if I have quantum/nano view into each vibrating superstring of each musical nuance.

Jax2 I totally agree with you, Dean made a very good
review, its so understable,Iam tired of reading words
like the one you mentioned,it makes me vomit(involuntary
protein spill) at least I gave the meaning.No seriously
Thank you again Jax for being honest, And to Dean if
ypu keep doing it, Ill put you on my favorite Agoners
on Best of Forum.

WRP

Thank you for your input, between your reply, rereading Gunbei's response and correspondence with someone else I feel the Audience may be the way to go as my impression is that it has less bass and favors the midrange.

Anyway I am buying the Audience AU24s and will let you guys know in a week or two how things go.

I had a similar experience switching an AZ WOW (from CD to pre) with an AZ Mat Ref (from pre to power) and the sound became much less focused and more vague with less impact and extension. It was a big difference.

I have listened to the Audience AU24 IC in my system for 3 days now and can say they have quite a bit more detail and nuance than AZ Mat Ref MKII. Also the tonal balance is much more to my liking and seems to favor no particular region where the AZ favored the bass and the high end always seemed recessed. I am not sure if this is a function of soundstage or frequency response (or both), even though I agree the Au24 is more forward I just prefer the perspective it offers. Also on the AU24 I prefer the way the bass integrates with the rest of the sound, gone is the constant bass 'drone' or 'bump' and replaced with articulate bass, the word plumey keeps coming to mind, the bass has pluck, if these words make sense. I guess the bass is more articulate and nuanced and can be quite powerful if the music calls for it. Bottom line is the AU24 is neutral, detailed and refined and the AZ is smooth, tuneful and warm.
In my stereo it is no contest as I think my Reynaud Trentes and the Plinius 8200 MKII are both slightly warm and benefit from the neutral and detailed quality of the AU24. I will not bother with the Silver Ref as I am pretty darn happy at this point and a friend who replaced his Silver Ref MKII with the AU24 confirmed that the AZ has more bass drive, something my stereo does not need.

thanks guys
Happy Holidays

Phil