Have you found cable Nirvana? Tell me about it.

KF- As Tireguy stated, there are just too many cables for one to have tried them all. I've had the FIM Gold, Nordost Quatro, Kimber Select Silvers, Cardas, Coincident, Sakura, NBS, FMS ... yikes! Anyway, I've been very happy with the new Sonoran Plateau cables. There will likely be better in some systems, no cable is perfect for all applications, but in my predominantly SET system (WAVAC 833, Lamm LP-2, custom tube pre-amp), the Sonoran cables simply fit. They even have a money-back I believe. Just another one to consider adding to your list if you haven't tried them already. Good luck.

I'm probably already known for loving the Omega Mikros.I've used various cables of theirs for years,starting with the Analog 5 single tube,Ebony,Silver Ebony and the current Planar 7 LCX.These cables have a natural,musical sense of energy.They are the closest to what I heard working in a recording studio.They won't tame a bright system or add extra detail to warm tube gear.They do put the music FIRST.Problems I originally layed at the feet of the cables were eventually determined to be resonances or gear incapable of making the leap to a non-electro-mechanical presentation.A definite eye-opener.Give it a try for thirty days,the reviews can't be all wrong.

I agree with Tpsonic. If the Omega Mikros are too expensive for you, start with the Mapleshades (same designers). They all have certain traits in common: extraordinary clarity (without being "etched" or "analytical") and so involving I can listen for hours -- even to CDs -- without wanting to stop. The 30-day return privilege on the Mapleshades (not sure about the Omega Mikros) will help get you hooked. By the way, I was amused by your topic header. Are the original Nirvana cables still around? Cheers, Dave

Consider the Silversmith's. They are warmer than Nordost and just as fast. They are less polite than Tara Labs with more dynamics. More open and transparent than Cardas and not as warm and fuzzy. Very 'neutral" and well balanced thruout all frequencies. If it has a fault it would be in the upper bass which might be construed as slightly lean in comparison to other cables (I did not feel there was any problem in this area in the context of my system). What sold me on these cables was that I forgot about them and just enjoyed listening to music. The other cables always had something that made you notice them. Check out the website. Unfortunately you can't purchase any cables until owner returns from the Middle East (he was recalled to the Navy).

With the usual system-dependence disclaimer, I own a couple of your interests. On the IC side, I presently have AZ Silver Ref 1, Audience AU24, Fadel IC15S, Quattro-fil and Argent. In my SS system w/ Talon Khorus/Gamut D200 the Quattros (cryo'd) fit the bill. More blackness, detail and separation of instruments with uncanny placement of performers. But you know this as you're using them. The The AZs are smoother, and richer in the mids, but more smeared than the Nordost. Same with the Fadel to a lesser extent, with a great sence of ambience, but somewhat veiled. The Audience is amazing for the price but doesn't do anything quite as well as the others. Very balanced presentation but nothing outstanding. If I was to spend the money, I'd love to try the Valhallas, but afraid I'd like them too much. No cable should cost that much (my wife would commit me).

On the speaker side I've used AZ Satori, AP Silver, Talon protoptype (which matched with the Khorus' quite well), HT Pro 9, Magnan and Marigo and finally settled on the Wireworld Silver Eclipse III, at a substantial cost increase (but bought used). The Wireworlds provided astonishing dimensionality while balancing detail and harmonic richness better than the others, The Satori is a best buy however, and I'd like to also hear Shunyata, SPM and Audience.

At the power side, I have a BMI Shark feeding an AudioMagic Stealth, with Electraglide Fatman 2K on the amp and BMI Whale Elite on the CD. Didn't expect a great improvement going into the Stealth, but the Shark creates an amazingly black background from which the performers just jump out. Probably finished here.

When I stand back and look objectively, I think I have too much $$ in cables already. Would I do it again...probably. Hopefully satisfied for a while, but who knows what great discoveries lay in hiding.