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Interconnect cable suggestions?

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Posted on June 4, 2015 at 08:12:45
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
So all cables sound the same - NOT.
I have interests in interconnects since I temporarily used a Straight Wire Maestro II 1M in place of the Nordost SPM 1 Meter that I currently own. I received much better mid range and bass and basically my speakers delivered a much bigger sound - Nordost seemed to limit a fullness I really enjoyed.
So, cannot locate Maestro any longer.
Anyone have suggestions on a replacement that might sound similar and in their price range?
Anyone in the Austin, TX area willing to demo interconnects at my place for an appropriate payment in food and/or drink? I am an audioholic and enjoy the audio meets we have around here monthly with several other music/equipment lovers.

 

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"other music/equipment lovers"., posted on June 4, 2015 at 08:21:03
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10573
Joined: April 12, 2002
Tho I'm a Musician and Love listening, I also enjoy the Equipment I listen through.
It's often expressed here that it's Only the Music that matters, but there's nothing wrong
with liking the Stuff too, IMO!

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 4, 2015 at 08:22:30
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10573
Joined: April 12, 2002
I had a pair of Maestro ICs year s ago, Monster M 1000 was WAY better.
Maybe they are available used.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 4, 2015 at 08:59:40
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
Can you inform me about your system when these 2 were compared?

My current system is a Museatex Bidat DAC to Audiophilleo USB/SPIDF to home made tube preamp to Musical Fidelity A3cr amp to Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature loudspeakers. All cables are Nordost SPM ribbons - at this time.

When you say Monster were way better, can you elaborate? Width, depth, timbre etc...

Thx

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 4, 2015 at 19:14:12
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15486
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
how do you like the MF amp in your system?

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 4, 2015 at 19:29:02
The Maestro is very full thru the mids and upper bass.They have a bit of a rising top-end.Maybe that is off setting the SPMs which are slightly softer through the top-end.
Maybe instead of the SWs+SPM,try a different combo.Or single manufacturer to obtain a better synergy.
Since we cannot gauge the contribution of your tube pre,can you comment on tube compliment and brands being used?

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 5, 2015 at 05:59:31
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
How do I like the MF amp? So far it is the cleanest, most musical SS amp I have owned. Had BAT n McCormack n MF is just so much better in depth n shear ease of producing music.
Hope this helps.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 5, 2015 at 06:02:19
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
The home brew tube preamp sounds exactly like an Audible Illusions 2D.
I like the idea of a change in cables if it produces what I heard by just changing the DAC to preamp when I used the SW Maestro II.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 5, 2015 at 06:26:01
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
Another friend suggested Kimber Kable Hero that is the price range of Straight Wire. Any thoughts on those who have used Kimber Hero in the past or present?

 

Second the Monster...., posted on June 5, 2015 at 11:59:07
ABliss
Audiophile

Posts: 1476
Joined: March 16, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
August 3, 2002
I keep going back to my Monster Reference 2, nice full sound from top to bottom. Especially between preamp to amp.

AB.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 5, 2015 at 18:43:00
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15486
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
did you use the matching MF pre- amp? If so, how do/did you like the combo?

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 6, 2015 at 14:57:36
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
I did not try the matching preamp but am considering one after listening to this amp. I would think the synergy would be spectacular and many reviews I have read point to that fact.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 6, 2015 at 15:22:32
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15486
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
Thank You. If you decide to buy the matching pre-amp, keep me posted.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 8, 2015 at 09:21:52
akolegov
Audiophile

Posts: 979
Location: Russia
Joined: July 1, 2010
I had (and still have) a Straight Wire Virtuoso R and a Kimber Cable 1020 Select interconnects (each purchased approx. 10 years ago).

Sonically, they are totally different (the Straight Wire has a full bodied "sound", with rounded and colored midrange, very musical, with excellent slam... The Kimber is leaner and more extended...

I remember when I received the Straight Wire I was frustrated because it replaced the earlier SW Virtuoso Gold (which, I guess, is similar to Maestro) which was better and more organic with my then existing set-up...



 

RE: Second the Monster...., posted on June 8, 2015 at 13:20:14
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
I am actually using that same cable right now between DAC and preamp and the full spectrum sounds extremely nice w/o any glare. There is depth from front to back also that is impressive. Just a slight mid range veil but I can live with versus what I had before.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 8, 2015 at 13:26:28
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
Hello and thank you for the adjectives describing what the cables sounded like.

Was curious if someone had a good comparison and this is the best yet I have received. How would you rate the Straight Wire Maestro to the latest Virtuoso R - if you have heard them?

 

RE: Second the Monster...., posted on June 9, 2015 at 07:43:16
ABliss
Audiophile

Posts: 1476
Joined: March 16, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
August 3, 2002
I have used many different brands of cables over the years, and every time I retry the Reference 2, I am impressed all over again. Not so much the M1000, its not the same for some reason.

AB.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 10, 2015 at 18:01:17
krankkall
Audiophile

Posts: 296
Location: New Mexico
Joined: April 5, 2014
You could always try the DIY route?
Very easy to do, with a little practice.
I made a few sets of Mogami 2549/Switchcraft 3502A that ended up more than a little....satisfactory.
Going DIY with 'high end' bulk cable and connectors, will also save you a considerable amount of money.

Steve

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 17, 2015 at 08:42:03
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
Received the A3.2CR preamp a few days ago and the combination is quite stellar and very musical. There is a review from Enjoy The Music that is spot on - give it a read. Now, I find the i/c cables are allowing me to tune the sound to my speakers/room. Still wish I could locate a 1M pair of Straightwire Maestro II interconnects. Anyone have a pair they wish to sell?
Cheers

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 18, 2015 at 21:03:07
Have you tried "Hi-Fi Shark".It appears there are a few pairs in XLR,but a good place to keep an eye on.Maybe the Cable Company? Had you considered losing the SPMs? Approach as a IC/Spkr cable combo.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 19, 2015 at 04:23:43
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
Thx for the suggestions Tidycat1. Have been to the Shark many a time and usedcable sites.
I do believe the SPM will b replaced with a matched set of i/c. I know from experience that the more you change the front end the quicker the results, either better or worse. I did find one cable, in the Netherlands, on a site that resembles flee pay.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 19, 2015 at 20:18:37
You might enjoy the FMS Microwave IC/spkr.It has good warmth and a good top-end.Probably better suited to a "live" room than a damped one.Even the Yankee Audio Baton IC or MAS Grey.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 20, 2015 at 00:31:19
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
Have a look at this one or one of the others. I use the KLEI gZero6 ICs and to my ears they are very nice :)

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 23, 2015 at 12:20:42
CBernardino
Audiophile

Posts: 113
Location: Nation's Capital
Joined: June 7, 2010
Bob Grost has a pair of Nano Signature interconnects (which I used before upgrading to the new Cerious Graphene cables) on sale at Audiogon for $275. These trounce any all metal IC's I've heard up to the $1500/pr. range. See Stereo Times review of the Cerious Nano Reference line.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 23, 2015 at 18:48:20
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15486
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
Thanks! for sharing- CB.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 23, 2015 at 19:17:43
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
Thx Cat, Ping and CB for the updates. Finally had a moment to catch up. Most interesting cables indeed.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 23, 2015 at 19:24:19
eponies54
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Texas Central
Joined: September 25, 2012
CBernardino,
My system can b a little thin so I need enhanced mid and bass. From what you suggest, the Nano Sigs might be better?

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 24, 2015 at 08:37:52
CBernardino
Audiophile

Posts: 113
Location: Nation's Capital
Joined: June 7, 2010
In my system they were anything but thin - tonally saturated, very natural sounding, good bass, very liquid midrange. Take a look at the Stereo Times review.

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on June 25, 2015 at 13:02:11
d

 

RE: Interconnect cable suggestions?, posted on September 13, 2015 at 20:17:05
Just FYI.On Sunday (9-13-15),an RCA pair of Maestro 2s were listed on AudioGon.

 

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