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Any users of these cables can you tell if they are directional. I don't see any lines marking direction.
PJB
Edits: 04/02/15Follow Ups:
On all of my Transparent stuff, the network box goes closest to the destination.
I used to own the MM1 editions and they were marked for "direction".
I am not certain about the MM2 cables/cords? Feel free to contact Transparent- ask for Brad.
Signal goes with the lettering reading left to right. Josh at Transparent emailed me, what service. How long till the speaker wires settle in, I am the second owner, but they not be used in a few months. This are mint like new, got lucky.
PJB
I concur- the customer service at Transparent is nothing short of excellent.
I always suggest 500 hrs and your cables will be permanently burned-in.
You will notice a change (for the better) after 200-300 hrs.
Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
Thanks. What should I expect as far as break-in. Yesterday lots of bass, dynamics and body in the mid was a bit weak. My 1st time with Transparent Ultra MM2. Using with Quad speakers driven by McIntosh MC 402 amp.
PJB
Edits: 04/03/15
I venture to say that after the initial 200/300 hrs. of break-in, every 100 hrs. point, the sound will be steady and constant( for the better).
After 500 hrs., every time you fire up your system, the sound will be outstanding- any time, every time!
Big fan of Transparent cables/cords- so keep me posted as often as you wish. Happy Listening!
I came home last night and the improvement in sound was stunning. What was one note bass, and thin/grainy sound was now solid, tighter bass, and much better dynamics, like a different speaker cable was installed. Vocals now have body, brass bite and color/tone. I wonder what the Ultra MM2 balanced interconnects would add.
PJB
Edits: 04/04/15
Phase 1
Yesterday lots of bass, dynamics and body in the mid was a bit weak.
Phase 2
I came home last night and the improvement in sound was stunning. What was one note bass, and thin/grainy sound was now solid, tighter bass, and much better dynamics, like a different speaker cable was installed. Vocals now have body, brass bite and color/tone.
That's an excellent report regarding used high-performance cables that have seen plenty of burn-in time in their past, but need to settle into a new system placement for at least 15 hours IME before they begin to blossom again. There may be more refinement after many more hours of playback in your system. Congrats on a lucky find :-D
Cheers, Duster
Today they sounded a little more musical. I have to say I love them. I also must say good things about the Lessloss speaker cables, they both have the same musical effect.
I wonder if I added another Ultra or Reference MM2 between my CD player and preamp. I've not found a cable yet that has better my 20' run of Harmonic Technology Magic II between my pre and amp.
PJB
You have an interesting combo of cables/cords -no doubt.
I would wait until you have the Transparent fully broken, then, start looking to add more of the same to your system.
I've owned many good brands. The ones I find to make a enjoyable listening experience stays, the others are sold. Many of those were very good also. So far the Transparent MM2 Ultra speaker cables are a keeper. They really bring many qualities of the cables I've loved into one package. I think if I switch out a I.C. it will be from the source to the preamp.
PJB
A nice step forward indeed, do not forget about changing out any power cord(s) as well.
I use 2 Harmonic Technology Magic Horizon Reference power cords for the front end gear, best ever, does line conditioning also. For my amp I use a little know power cord made by Clarus called the Crimson, for McIntosh amps it the best, I did like the Voodoo Black Diamond also.
PJB
Edits: 04/07/15 04/07/15 04/07/15
Cool and interesting combo at the same time. The Crimson Clarus is getting more attention every year. VooDoo has been around for awhie now.
I have heard a few systems, of reference grade, that did use multiple different branded cables/cords- it does work, just has the be the right combo of everything!
I did match the front end power cords with the HT's. I've tried many others there and nothing gets close to the HT Horizon Magic power cords. Clarus on the amp has been a match in haven, a follow McIntosh user told me about that cord and really said I had to try it, was a get tip.
PJB
I would like to think that we are all here to share & exchange ideas / information. If you have not noticed, cables & power cords, are my niche' of this wonderful hobby. My fave power cord (reference) is the Stage III Concepts offered by Brian @ Aaudio Imports. This is a serious PC, audition it as soon as you can.
Beautiful pics!
Dr Phil-
prior to purchase do you know how many hrs were on the cables/cords?
what is the other gear in your system?
I have no idea of the hours nor did the store, the guy step up to Opus due to being the only cable he felt he could hear a difference, even the Ultra against the reference he did not feel the cost to be worth it. The picture I posted is the cables, like new almost mint, boxes perfect.These are hooked up between my McIntosh 401 amp and my newly rebuild Quad ESL 63 work done by Kent at Electrostatic Solutions.
My front end for now and the future is the Esoteric K-03 SACD player and the Marantz SC-7S2 preamp. Picture is older without the Transparent speaker cables.
Running 1 meter Lessloss balanced I.C. between the CD & preamp, and 5 meters of Harmonic Technology Magic II balanced between my Preamp to amp.
PJB
Edits: 04/04/15 04/04/15
Perhaps the cables have met the 200 hr mark?
Beautiful pic!
I just ordered 2 sets of Ultra MM2 balanced I.C. I cannot image if they will sound as good as the Ultra MM2 speaker cables do. I just had to try to run all MM2 from the front end to the speakers.
PJB
Excellent choice- Dr Phil.
yes, experimentation is the only way to be certain which cables/cords will "jive" within your system. Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
Just ordered a 20' set and a 1 meter set. The dealer said you will love them, unless you go up to crazy money these are as good as you will need for my system.
PJB
Looking for an update?
Cables I.C. have not arrived yet. Thursday.
PJB
Much Thanks!
did you buy new or used/demo?
New. Store had 2 sets that they never used for a project. Got lucky again. 20' set and 1 meter set. Arrives tomorrow.
PJB
Very nice. As soon as received begin your burn-in process.
At least 200 hrs before any critical listening can begin. The cables will be permanent after 500 hrs. Keep me posted and Happy Listening!
Cables arrived. I hook them up later tonight.
What should I expect? Listenable. Will a burn in disc help.
PJB
Great! Possibly listenable?
A burn-in disc will help for sure. Which one(s) do you own?
A disc that came with my Esoteric K-03 SACD player. Made by Esoteric.
PJB
Sure- that will work fine. There are many, many demo/test discs out there.
So long as you get the 1st 200 hrs, as quickly as possible.
Keep me posted and Happy Listening!
Arrived safely. Can you share your experience with these cables. I know you must know them very well. What should I expect? settling in time, changes, when will I get idea of their capabilities. Never owned a whole set from front end to the amp and then to the speakers.
Excited to see what they do with my system.
Have a nice evening.
PJB
If you only play 12 hrs each day, then, you will reach 200 hrs in 14-15 days.
Hooked up the Ultra's MM2 I.C. to go with the speaker wire and let the system run for a hour, sat down and took a listen. 1st thing that I noticed was how the jazz group sounded so coherent, the inter play between them and the feel of what they were doing was much more present. Tone, color and the balance of it all, no highlighting of certain notes for instance. The stand up bass was detailed and really had a wood body connect to it, the pull of the strings you could feel it.
Really was like listen to the recording all over again. The piano had such a right tone to it, you could feel the fingering going across the keys and the little timing, the space between the strikes. Really was impressive.
I might sum it up like this, other cable give you the sound of each instrument, dynamics, and detail kind of thrown at you, the Ultra MM2 give you tone, color, dynamics along with a balance, a clarity, with a live sound of a group playing together instead of individual sounds and the feel of how the group was playing together as a whole, I guess the word would be the arrangement of the music comes across much more, how each instrument plays off the other with the tones blending and pulling together as a whole with details of each.
It really is a whole bunch of small things that really add up, word comes to mind is the feel, soul of humans playing. There is meat to the bones without being colored, or weighty towards the lower mids and bass. The highs are very airy, I think these are going to image well as they break in more, you can feel it already. The bottom end is really, really good, dynamic and tight.
Not sure how they will improve as time marches on, but right now these are so enjoyable and really as taken listening to music to another level. This recording was a CD from the early 90's Harry Connick's Lofty's Roach Souffle, which sounded good, but now sounds like it was a audiophile recordings, the glare, grayness is gone, color and tone replaced it. Almost like phase errors are gone, cannot put it into words, there is a wholeness now.This was a jaw dropper for me, I thought they sound good, but this is a different experience all together, and my dealer says give them 100 hours and everything you like now will only improve, he said there will be no going back now.
Nothing bad about my other cables, but these are on a different level, they do much more than any I've owned.Was money well spent, I am glad I decided on making the purchase and I was back and forth on chasing the old audiophile improvement when something already sounded good. By the way who says the Quads cannot do dynamics, mine rebuilds can and now I am really hearing it.
So much talk of cables don't make a difference or the cables with boxes are over priced, or do more damage than they do well, are all wrong.
If you enjoy music the Transparent cables will increase the enjoyment more so than changing out equipment. These cables are special and I've owned many of the top brands over 30 years of this hobby.
PJB
Edits: 04/17/15 04/17/15 04/17/15
Happy Friday-
good to read about your early report. As time moves forward and you start stacking the hours on the cables, you can expect, both, macro/micro dynamics to improve. Once permanently burnt-in, every recording will sound like the 1st time hearing it- only better resolution, detail and dynamics. Feel free to report your findings at every 100-hour mark.
Happy Listening!
Good to read your cables arrived safe & sound. W/ these particular cables every 100 hr mark, will open up a little more as you march towards the 500 hrs goal. After 200 hrs, you will notice a settling-in. There are 24/hrs in a day- I figure you can reach that mark in 7-8 days, if constantly playing content (tuner, cd/sacd player or turn table).
100-200hrs will be a time of ebb -and - flow (good sound then not so good sound). 200-400 will be a time of good to excellent resolution and overall pleasant sound on a daily basis. 400-500 hrs will yield excellent to outstanding results every time you listen to music. Real extention from top to bottom, demonstrating what Transparent is capable of doing.
Give a shout-out for your local dealer/retailer.
He is correct- the next and last step up would be the OPUS.
Believe me when I say, the OPUS, will be your last set of cables/cords ever! Of course you will want to buy them used or demo only.
Opus, that would be a dream, a dream I hit the lottery. LOL
PJB
not so far out as it seems, last year (2014) I did see several OPUS cables/cords go through Audiogon at very affordable prices.
The key, watch both eBay and Audiogon EVERY day, to catch those "lifetime" opportunities.
Anything good about TA power cords? I see a nice reference MM2 for sale. I've read mixed reviews on their power cords. Would be used on my McIntosh MC 402 amp @ 400 watts, using the Clarius Crimson right now which as been a good match.
PJB
Honestly, on the Transparent power cords, my only reference is the OPUS model, which comprised an all-OPUS system. I have heard that set-up several times, primarily w/ ARC gear & Wilson Sophia + Sasha loudspeakers.
I will say that all of the Transparent models are closely matched to one another = Reference, Reference XL and OPUS.
cables started to sound just average, I guess I am at that stage, still good but lost some of the great bass weight, and musical toe tapping, I call it soul. Looking into a power cord. Saw a Reference MM2 for $1,400 used, almost bit, but I held off to I learn more.
PJB
Hang in there it takes time as I was told by owners of Transparent cables, and my dealer. I was so bummed for awhile as it lost that " toe tapping feeling" that is in music. It does return after the time stated. I finally have a system with one specific brand of cabling. It made a huge difference in my system!
Have you tried their power cords?
PJB
Dr Phil-
if you need a reference at Transparent, ask for Brad.
Have you logged your 1st 100 hrs on the cables?
You are correct. Sometimes they sound like a gauze is over the sound, lack of dynamics and toe tapping is gone, then the next day it sounds better. I'm in the up and down phase. I just ordered a the new generation Reference power link cord for my amp. My dealer said get ready to really enjoy the system, he says once with Transparent there is no going back.
PJB
Have you logged the 1st 100- hour mark ?
not yet, They bounced back tonight. When they are good they are very good.
PJB
Yes, very good indeed. If you will be so kind as to keeping me informed on the 100- hour marks (100,200,300,400,500)?
It is going to be interesting how the cables settle into your system and provide you w/ excellent sound.
Precisely, this is the ebb-and-flow aspect, until you reach that 200 hour mark.
Well I've added a curve for break-in. 3 Reference Power Cords! @ of the newer design and 1 MM2.
PJB
How many hours do you have on the cables?
about 75 hours. I have 3 power cords coming next week. All newer Reference cords for all my gear. Should be interesting to have all my cables from TA.
PJB
where are you w/ the break-in ?
Thanks for the update.
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