Do you really get what you pay for?

[Mr Peabody]

True, it would be impossible to know which cable is more accurate. And, to some extend they may be tone controls but improvement is improvement. I don't think I'd say, "digs deeper" but maybe allows more detail through. My thing is that some say cables make no difference which I just can't understand that at all, because in most instances there is some kind of difference. I can understand the crux of the debate being the word "improvement". To use the Transparent you mentioned, an extended high may be perceived as one guy as an improvement and another a degradation. It depends on the system and how much highs one likes.

In the case of the Transparent what stood out for me and sealed the deal was the tightening and punch of the bass response. This was a definite improvement to me as well as an overall sense of better sound quality. Nothing will stick out in my mind like replacing a pair of Monster RCA's I had between my pre and power amp with the Siltech, this was such an obvious improvement anyone could hear it. The upgrade took my components to a whole higher level in every aspect. It was so dramatic, it was like going up a series in electronics.

[O'Shag]

I've never heard the Siltechs, but by all accounts they are very good. There's no question that cables do sound different, and some types of sound are more appealing to me than others. agree about the Transparent' bass response. I've heard the Nordost Valhalla, and they are very neutral and transparent, but I don;t think they have the same body in the bottom end, especially compared to the Transparent reference. On the other hand they definitely have more 'air' up on top, and are very fast sounding.

[O'Shag]

Mr. P.

How would you characterize the sound of the Siltechs in comparision to the Transparents?

[O'Shag]

Scott,

I know you've made your own cables and they probably sound very good. But if you want to give a speaker cable a spin that sounds really good for the money and won't cost you an arm and a leg to try out, look at the Nordost Flatlines. I still own a pair just to have around in case I need them. They do sound good, and on ebay or audiogon you can pick up a pair for about $75 -$100. This is going to sound a bit silly, but they really are not too far off their big brothers, the Valhalla... If you want to spend a bit more, you can pick up what I think is the best bang for the buck in speaker cables, the QED Genesis Silver Spirals. I got a used pair for $250.00. They come frighteningly close to my Transparent MusicWave Ultras - even in the bottom end. It all comes down to system synergy though. The QEDs might sound a tad bright on a very bright speaker - which the Maggies are not. I have the bi-wire version, which are so thick and stiff they're a right blommin pain in the keester to work with. But they sound marvellous.

I can't say for sure whether either of these will sound better than what you've got - possibly not. But at least you'll have some fancy lookin wire back there.

[Mr Peabody]

The Transparent are good they worked well with my Krell and they do fine with my HT system, when comparing them to Siltech on my CJ though the Transparent seemed to have what I can only describe as a glare. So maybe the Siltech had more clarity or it could have been some effect with tubes and the networks Transparent uses. Siltech's bass response is as good, I find Siltech's mids and highs more natural, sound stage a bit larger.

The dramatic improvement I was speaking of with my separates might have been close with Transparent, I just didn't have a long enough RCA to compare. I feel the pre to power connection just benefited from a good cable. However, when comparing the 2 brands RCA's amongst others with a headphone amp the Siltech series was much better but the Siltech was a step up from the Transparent series, so it wasn't exactly a fair fight. Considering the price difference Transparent did pretty good.

Bassite is also evaluating some cables, including Siltech, he promises to post a thread when he is done. If we don't see it soon we'll have to remind him.

[basite]

Bassite is also evaluating some cables, including Siltech, he promises to post a thread when he is done. If we don't see it soon we'll have to remind him.

I will, I think I made my final choice (the Siltechs...)

at the moment I tried 4 cables already: Kimber Cable Hero, Siltech MXT New york, Sonic Link Black Earth and a PS audio xStream Transcendent (and something after that, which I forgot...)

The crystal Cable falls a little out of my budget, but I might get 2 more cables tomorrow...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[O'Shag]

Thanks Mr. P. I'll have to listen to the Siltechs, although I dread to do so.

[basite]

Thanks Mr. P. I'll have to listen to the Siltechs, although I dread to do so.

definately do try them. Exellent cables.

[Bernd]

.....holds true in Cables also. A little research will go a long way.
Last year the top of the line cable, by the Chord Company called the Signature, was exposed as being exactley the same as a product you can buy of the roll from a supplier in Germanny.
Chord Signature IC £ 550 a meter

The off the reel same wire 3 Euros a meter.

Peace

[IBSTORMIN]

I am a newbie and don't get me wrong, I have been reading for awhile just to learn. In reading this post I felt I had to say something. I just experienced something I felt I should share and get thoughts on. I have compared Monster and think it's high priced crap like Bose. The best RCA cables I had run across (can afford) are the Blue Jeans Cable. I just purchased the Integra Research RDV-1 DVD-A & RDC-1 pre/pro. I looked at buying DVD-A RCA 6 pack of colored cables for over $100 but the Integra has M-F DB-25 connections for its multi-channel analog output, that's a computer 25 pin connection cable!! I found one, 6' was the shortest I could buy, and it cost $6 at a computer repair store. The difference was AMAZING! All the things you read about the expensive RCA cables happened with this $6 cable. The detail difference was obvious but it leaves me with two questions. Is Integra Research the only one doing this? I wonder if I bought a gold plated, shorter DB-25 cable if it would sound even BETTER!

[Mr Peabody]

Buyer does have to beware, that is why we should try before we buy. If one can't honestly hear enough, or any, difference to justify the purchase they would be a fool to do so. I am obviously an advocate of trying better quality cables but I have instances where cables and power products have gone back. I can only speculate why some of us have had better results with cables than others. I have had some good results, good enough that I want others to have the same experience, that's the reason I hold firmly to my position. But my position is to keep and open mind, and to at least try a couple brands, I wouldn't want anyone to buy a product solely based on my say so. And, they absolutely should not if they aren't noticing enough of an improvement to justify the purchase.

Also, a thought, if a company buys the same wire you can buy yourself in bulk may not necessarily make it the same cable. I'm talking bare wire. Obviously if it had the same jacket etc. they were ripping people off. A friend of mine was experimenting with building cables, he had to buy his wire from some place, but he experimented with the difference in winding, insulating and a few other things. He sent a pair of silver wire RCA's to evaluate. You know how when you look through the opposite end of a telescope how things are still clear but smaller, the cables had an effect like that with my tube gear, not as drastic as the telescope effect but were absolutely fabulous with my Krell. On the Krell gear the home made cables were even better by a good margin than my Transparent XLR connectors. If I were wise I should have tried to buy them but at the time I wasn't sure I would keep the Krell. That experience showed beyond a doubt that cables are system dependent. You can see if some one would have tried those cables with tube gear and nothing else they would have a different perspective on whether they were any good.

[jrhymeammo]

I use generic cable called KWIK12.

I have a few other pairs that I pull out, but I just keep going back to my cheap 12 gauge Kimber.

If I'm worried about oxidation of connection, then I just clip few inches off at both ends.

[basite]

I use generic cable called KWIK12.

That is kimber cable...

however, when you get the chance, also try out AudioQuest cables (CV-8 or Type 8 or so), I think you'll like them

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[jrhymeammo]

That is kimber cable...

however, when you get the chance, also try out AudioQuest cables (CV-8 or Type 8 or so), I think you'll like them

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Basite, I'm sure I'll like them just fine. But, I'm not sure if they are worth $500 new. I would rather get a differnt cart or sell my phono pre and increase my PP budget by $500.

Hey Bert, you really got some nice gears...... but what's up with your PP? Com'on dude, you are an audiophile. Get with the program!!

[basite]

Basite, I'm sure I'll like them just fine. But, I'm not sure if they are worth $500 new. I would rather get a differnt cart or sell my phono pre and increase my PP budget by $500.

Hey Bert, you really got some nice gears...... but what's up with your PP? Com'on dude, you are an audiophile. Get with the program!!

or something else
I like kimber cable too for speaker cables, their bare speaker wire isn't that expensive

and yes yes, the phonopre...

let me give you an Idea of how my upgrade list looks like

now: new interconnects
summer vacation: either a new cdp, or a DAC or a projector & projection screen
next winter vacation: probably a new pc, if I buy the projector, otherwise: speaker cables or a new phonopre
summer vacation 2009: new tt, unless the luxman dies, in which case the new tt will be earlier, and most likely cheaper too...
even later: a dedicated transport (if I buy the DAC), or saving on for a seperate power amp (in case my room gets bigger, and that is a really big chance), or a powerconditioner (regenerator), ...?

so you see it's pretty busy on my scheme

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[jrhymeammo]

Dude, you'll almost be like 20 by the time you get your new analog setup. Dont waste your teenie years listening to digital encryption.
No matter the results, looks like you are having alot of fun with your stuff. There is nothing wrong with that.

Let us know how your new IC sounds.

JRA

p.s. - dont get scammed by gold plated "Audiophile" batteries. But, do make sure you give batteries a good break-in period.

[Mr Peabody]

Bassite, I thought you were leaning toward the Sonic Link. The Siltech are a sweet cable though, they do a good job and remain with a natural sound. I also like the threaded ends and connectors.

[basite]

Bassite, I thought you were leaning toward the Sonic Link. The Siltech are a sweet cable though, they do a good job and remain with a natural sound. I also like the threaded ends and connectors.

I was...

the sonic link outperformed the other cables in quite some ways. but it turned out it sounded slightly thin, not extremely thin, but the Siltech was the only cable that gave such a natural soundstage, it put me right in front of the orchestra, with alot of realness...

I'll explain this better in the upcoming thead though...
now don't think the Sonic Link is a bad cable. if your system already has a really big soundstage, your equipment is good enough (the sonic link quickly reveals the faults of the components it's connected to, and while the 5001OSE is a good player, the 5001's weaknesses became clear quickly, too quickly...)...

So if you happen to have a DCS transport & DAC there, I wouldn't mind having the sonic link connecting them to the amp...

of all the cables I already tried, 2 things became clear: cables make ALOT of difference, and the Kimber cable Hero was the weakest of the 4...

still might try Audioquest & Nordost though...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Mr Peabody]

You can try them but AQ nor Nordist are close to Siltech. I have been curious about the AQ that takes a battery.

Are you looking for a better CD playback? The 5001 may be good for the price but it is not in the league with your Mac & Thiel.

[basite]

You can try them but AQ nor Nordist are close to Siltech. I have been curious about the AQ that takes a battery.

Are you looking for a better CD playback? The 5001 may be good for the price but it is not in the league with your Mac & Thiel.

I am about to find out what the battery thing is on the AQ's...
brought home a AQ jaguar IC, with 36V DBS


and yes, a new cd player, or a DAC is on my "things to do in the future" list

it just depends on what will happen with my room, it could be that we rebuild it, which would be a big upgrade...

JRA, I'm not trying to cure things, but the sonic link was not good with the marantz. as Mr. Peabody said, the 5001 OSE* isn't in the same league, it has it's weaknesses, and I'm not trying to cure them, but the sonic link just revealed them too hard. if I liked thin sound, got a $20k DCS transport & DAC, then the sonic links would be 'good', although I'd look at more expensive cables then...

*(ok, the OSE is a little bit better than the standard version, it comes really close to dad's Rotel RCD-06, but even that is not in the same league as the Mc and thiel)

You will read more in the upcoming thread, it should be here somewhere next week, let's say, around wednesday.

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[jrhymeammo]

Cable will be the last thing I would want if I had your system.
Why are you wanting to "invest" in IC?

When I'm buying different cables, that's just me desparetely trying to change my sound. Cable shouldnt be used to cure problems. What is the problem with your system?

Let us know before you pull the trigger.

[Smokey]

When I'm buying different cables, that's just me desparetely trying to change my sound. Cable shouldn't be used to cure problems.

Bingo!! Give the man a cigar

Cables should be chosen independent of system. So whether one have a cheap or expensive system is irrelevant in buying cables.

[Mr Peabody]

Bassite when you look for your digital upgrade you should give a listen to Audio Note if you have access to it. To my understanding the 1.1x DAC has not come down in price but they have a single box CD player for $2.5k U.S. that is supposed to have the same DAC. I'm not sure how they do that unless they use a bit cheaper transport than their stand alone units. Their transports are pretty expensive. I think AN's digital reproduction is excellent. At the price they are at they are a value because they perform so well beyond.

[smooth grooves]

Please check out virtual dynamics website.

Lots of useful information on cables and more.

Plenty of reviews are also on audiogon.

Large conductors with dynamic filtering and new technology.

dean@virtualdynamics.ca