Tell me about your Jena Labs Symphonys

Howie - this thing about not mixing with other cables intrigues me. I bought some Jena Symphony ICs and love the quality of the sound - but am not so sure about their character. They appear to me to be a bit laid back - almost too laid back. So should I get Jena SYmphony SCs? More of that laid back sound and my system will sound horrible. Or will the SCs save me from the laid back sound of the ICs? Does anyone know? Are the SCs as laid back as the ICs or do they counter-balance the ICs with a more upfront balance?

Redkiwi, it would be helpful to know which components comprise your system, which cables you are currently running in your system other than the Jena Labs interconnects, and which cables the Jena Labs cables replaced.
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I have a couple of systems, but am trying to place the Jena ICs in just one of these. The Jena ICs link a DCS Delius to Jeff Rowland Model 201 monos, which are driving Verity Fidelios via either Luminous Synchestra Signature, or Poiema, or Stealth UR speaker cables. Power cables are Audience PowerChords (I am limited in the chords I can legally use in New Zealand). The Jena ICs have replaced a long line of ICs I have tried such as Luminous Synchestra Ref, Stealth PGS, Poiema, Kimber 1130, SPM..

As stated, the Jenas have some wonderful qualities in this system, but they are just a little too laid back. I can see some Jena Symphony SCs here on Audiogon for sale but am concerned they might similarly be laid back. Howie made me reconsider this assumption with his comment about using Jena ICs on their own.

Redkiwi, I still have not added the SCs so I can't really tell you. I'm using SCs that are by itself fuller sounding with more of a bite to them. Many people have told me that the sound comes together when using a full set of Jena Labs cables so that's what I expect. How is your room? Is it on the lively side or damped side? Also, what gave you the impression that the cables are laid back? Some people prefer their sound to have more bite and a bit of an edge to it as some feel it produces a more exciting and up front sound. Others associate laid back with being slow. I don't think adding the Symphony SCs will give you an edge or necessarily an up front sound. It should make things even faster and smoother which might bring a sense of rightness. I'm not too familiar with your equipment, but your source, speakers, front end, and even powercords are more known for being smooth sounding and definitely not known to be upfront sounding?

Musicians often work on smoothing out their sound throughout the range of their instrument so that nothing jumps out at you when they didn't intend it. What would prevent their sound from sounding lifeless would be the loss of momentum which to me is like PRaT. If you think the Jena labs cables keeps the music flowing, it shouldn't sound laidback. It is however a delicate balance I think. I wish I can be of more help, but you sound like you know exactly what type of sound you want. The only other thing I can think of is playing with speaker positioning. Have you talk to Jtinn? He has extensive experience with Verity speakers and obviously the Jena Labs cables.

My suspicion is that the Audience powerChords are to blame for a softening of transients in the system, but when I compare the Jena to several other ICs I find they are a lot less immediate than say the Luminous Synchestra Refs, but certainly not rolled off like Cardas Golden Ref or even Stealth PGS.

Power chords are a real pain to try out here in NZ with reterminating in our pathetic plugs being almost impossible with 10 guage or larger conductors. Plus some US cords are only rated at 300V which is decidedly dangerous to use on our 230V supply.

I will hold back on trying Jena SCs until I have got my PCs sorted I think.