Transparent users... Question

Though that is not how to define, 'audiophile'. S

Rather, such persons are in search of audio Nirvana. A state where with little or no effort one is transported on the ship, 'psycho-acoustic phenomenon', to the Auditorium, or Recording studio, where the musicians create the music.

At least when playing those all too rare sonically superior, well engineered recordings.

But it is not for everyone. And even many of those aspire only to achieving a 'sound' for their system, which by the way tends to make all recordings sound alike, using their system to 'improve' the music.

But then there seems to be a true and a false, the fake and the real, in just about everything. Even that is OK, as long as you know the differece.

An artist told me once, you can wear polka dots with plaid, as long as you know they clash.

I have gone through the Nordost family of cables, and my observations are that you get the same sound signature, only improved and refined, as you move up through the line. Forgive me, but I'm confused by your post. Which Transparent cables (and where in your audio chain) are they being used. Which have you already upgraded, and what upgrades have you definitely planned, and what changes are you still not sure about. I have heard good things about Transparent cables. Sorry that I don't have the experience to advise you, but I would like to learn more about their cables. Thanks for your post...and good luck!

Now for a word of caution...Didactically will give you the standard "true to the original", and "masters of coloration", as well as just plain incomprehensible audio psychobabble until you want to vomit. And of course, the inevitable link to his Guru, Siegfried Linkwitz. There is some interesting info here, but Didactically seems to think that his approach is THE ONLY VIABLE method of high end audio. Apparently, he enjoys his system, but ravages through the Agon posts as if he were in the "Blues Brothers" movie and he also is on a "mission from God"!!

Note that his reference standard for "true to the original" is a $100- pair of Shure earbuds, with 3 distinct frequency peaks (according to the information on the Siegfried Linkwitz website). In addition, Siegfried Linkwitz uses a Sony TCD-D3 Digital Audio Tape Walkman for his master tapes (no super-bit mapping either!) Take this into consideration when judging his advice!

Hi Fatparrot, yea I read up on your "other posts" : ) that somehow disappered????

Anyhow, I started with Transparent years ago on my first system. As I upgraded components I would then eventually check out better lines of Transparent and upgrade them as well. Fortunately Transparent has a pretty good upgrade path once you hit their "plus" line of cable. Check with your local dealer for the details... but most of the time you can get 75%-100% of retail towards the new cable. I have listed my system now so you can see where the different levels are installed right now. I have found however that the system "clicks" much better wired entirely with Transparent vs mix matching. Most dealers for Transparent have loaner kits that will include every cable you need to wire your system at whatever level you are looking at. I would suggest at least the "plus" if not the "super" line to start with. This will give you an idea of what Transparent cables do, and whether or not what they do appeals to you. In my system the bass response is one of the biggest differences as well as a blacker background that the music comes out of.

The gear you have works best in balanced mode. I was faced with your choice, and after audition preferred the Ultra MM Balanced over the Reference single-ended. I also have some Reference Balanced in my system, and the sonic difference between Ultra Balanced and Reference Balanced is quite substantial. It almost makes the outrageous cost bearable! ;-)

Thanks Rex... NICE SYSTEM! I have ordered the Ultra (MM) bi-wire for now and will hold on to the Balanced Ultra (XL) until I can swing the upgrade to balanced ref. Hopefully the cable makes it here for the weekend!

Thanks again for everyones advice.