Shortlist of Speaker Cables/ICs: advice/opinions

I will address the Acoustic Zen cables on your list as they were favorites of mine for awhile.

Early last year, I was very happy using an all Acoustic Zen configuration consisting of MC2, Silver Ref II, Matrix Ref II and biwired Hologram II. The system was very smooth, powerful and had good extension at both ends all while retaining a decent amount of organic nature. However, at some point I felt my system lacked a bit of romance and sometimes sounded dry.

At this point I decided to buy a single run of Audience AU24 speaker cables to compare against my Hologram II, and after comparing them for five months decided that the AU24 were definitely what my system needed. While cymbals no longer had the shimmer the Hologram II brought to my set up, the overall sound closer to analog.

I know you weren't impressed with the Audience, but I have to ask if these were the interconnects or the speaker cables? Earlier this year, I tried switching all my AZ interconnects to Audience and felt the AU24 killed all the dynamics and shrunk the entire presentation. The AU24 speaker cables on the other hand retained the same expansive soundstage as the Hologram II while making everything sound less digital and more real. I didn't like the AU24 interconnects at all, but I love their speaker cables.

Last spring, I bought a set of Ridge Street Audio Poiema speaker cables and was very impressed with them. After comparing them to my AU24 for a couple months, I felt the Poiema reminded me a lot of the Hologram II. I think they're an excellent cable and a great bargain.

The results you've posted of the Cardas and Audience lead me to believe the Acoustic Zen may be a better choice for you. But be aware that the Matrix Ref II and Silver Ref II are very different sounding interconnects. They both have the same expansive, smooth Acoustic Zen family sound, but the Matrix Ref II are fuller and rounder, while the Silver Ref II are more neutral and have a better delineated treble.

I've used Cardas Golden Cross interconnects and Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cables in the past and in my system both lacked the top extension you may be hoping for.

Ultimately, it'll come down to you having to take the plunge and buying a few to compare. Allow them enough time to break-in, and try to resist the quick back and forth A/B'ing which may give you an idea of the cable's differences, but won't give you the overall impression and broader picture a long audition of a few weeks or months will.

Good luck.

Hi Again Guys,

Thanks for all the great info. I think for the moment the two combos on my shortlist which I will be testing soon are:

Analysis Plus Solo Crystal IC and Solo Crystal Oval 8 SC
Acoustic Zen Matrix Ref II IC and Satori II SC

I will see how each fare in the system. However, any experiences and advice about these two combos is appreciated. If anyone has compared them I would love to hear your thoughts and findings.

Cheers,
X

Xenithon,

Definitely, let us know what you think. I'd like to hear what differences you perceive. I know it goes against the uniformed configuration you're trying to design, but try mxing AP with AZ for fun.

Have fun!

Xenithon - You did mention Cardas Golden Cross, and that's what I'll be moving into my system soon. They shouldn't cost that much more than some of the other cables you mentioned, should they? I have a Unison Research S8 tube amp, with a Shunyata Diamondback PC, Consonance Reference 2.2 CD player (tube stage) with a Shunyata Black Mamba V2 PC, Wireworld Polaris speaker cable, and a set of Spendor S3/5's. Now some might say this is a warm system already, but I find that too many recordings are too sibilant, especially on the singers' "s" sounds. The equalizing on the higher frequency range isn't always right either, and too often the singer sounds like they have a tooth missing (even though I'm aware of the limitations of the CD medium). Since recordings vary so much, what I want to do is to take one of the brighter recordings that I have, and find a match of components that will make it sound more listenable. If some other recordings turn out a little dull, then so be it. The quality of our equipment should force something good out anyway. Rather that than an irritant top end. I'd keep one eyeball on the GC's.

I'd like to throw in a last minute recommendation for the Kimber combo. I own a pair of 1011s, and I think it's the best RCA IC in it's price range. It's also very diverse. It beats my $250 Van Den Hul Integration on both Turn Table, just barely, and CD, by a fairly wide margin. (I still use the Van Den Hul for analogue, because I like most everyone have financial constraints. :) It just brings out the delicate sounds of each instrument more clearly. From the slow decay of the cymbal or snare drum, to the singer's breath on the mic before starting to sing. I agree with you on KCAG's or even Silver Streaks. They are definitely bright and very system dependent. There are only a few Component\Speaker combos I would recommend them for.

I've heard the entry level Kimber balanced 1111, (I know apples and oranges) against the Ayre sig series and Cardas neutral reference, and for about 1/2 the price it absolutely tromped them on accuracy, and energy it brought to Coltrane's horn. The treble was so much cleaner and more extended. It just made the instrument sound so alive. Even the store owner was surprised at the difference since he demoes his high-end equipment on the Ayre series.

I own a pair of 8TC's, and am still kicking myself for not paying the few hundred more for a pair Monocle's. To me, that's as much as I'd be willing to spend on speaker cables barring winning the lottery. I think there's a reason the 8TC's won Hi-Fi's speaker cable shoot-out in their price range. And the Hero won Absolute Sound's $250 or less IC shoot-out. Just a testament to the value in Ray Kimbers' products.

I know that combo is at the top-end of your price range, but it comes highly-recommened. Outside of that, I agree with the Acoustic Zen combo recommend.
Good luck with your choice.