Audioquest/Acoustic Zen/Analysis Plus?

Zaikes: My thoughts on cable performance are that each cable acts as an impedance transformer between the components it is linking together. Since each component has their own input / output impedance, various levels of reactance, various levels of stability, etc... there is no telling what you'll end up with. This is why there are so many variances from system to system using the same cables. On top of that, using the same cable at different lengths can do much the same thing i.e. alter the impedances that the signal sees. Sean
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Adiorio I should address my stand on the AZ 'house sound' to you as my response was to your post. While of course YMMV regarding the sound of AZ products with your stereo I found them to be a little bass heavy, a friend uses the term 'driving force' to describe some products bass performance and this describes my experience with AZ products. I did not find any of the AZ products to be especially detailed but were not noticably lacking in those areas either. I think the Satori is a very nice deal, I really like that wire for the price. I do mean the single run, I have not heard a double run.

crazy4blues I found the WOW to be a little 'splashy' in the upper midrange but otherwise I think it too had quite a bit of bass which is why I describe my experience with it as warm.

Sean I have always enjoyed your thoughtful and informative responses and I welcome any comments regarding my (or any other) posts, I like another perspective myself. If anything I tend to get lazy and presume other have read the magazines and posts on Audiogon like I have, not always true I am sure. On the other hand when I post a question, I sometimes get responses stating audio basics when I would just like a response to my question. I will work on being more specific and deliberate (hence more respectful too) on my posts and responses.

Bottom line is, the more I listen to and learn about HI FI the more I respect system matching and that includes cables.

Phil: As i stated, i wasn't trying to "gouge" on you guys, but was just stating what is a fact. That is, ask 10 people a question pertaining to cabling and you'll get 10 different answers with the possibility for some overlap amongst those 10. Obviously, interpreting such data becomes more difficult than listening for yourself. Sean
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Very well-put Sean. And it should be pointed out that doesn't apply only to cabling...

Sean,

as far as specifications, is impedance the main variable to cable sound in your opinion? If so is there a target number or are they all over the map? For instance for solid state amplifiers I imagine impedance figures may be different than tubes amplifiers. I wonder if there is a 'safe' specification to impedance values or maybe it would be easier to mention an unsafe zone where you are more likely to run into sound variables.

This is reminding me of Paul Speltz autoformer/speaker cable where you tune the sound of your amp with different loads the amp 'sees' and tailor the sound to your liking. I owned an autoformer in the past and there was a big difference to the sound when making a change to the load value.

Sean, as far as your comment on 'gouging'. I feel you have been most gracious to all at Agon and am most happy to see your contributions on these pages.