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In Reply to: RE: Audio Research friendly cables posted by hatari on May 25, 2007 at 10:24:29
hatari,
As far as interconnects go, the local ARC guru gave a strong recommendation for Audioquest as having a special sympathy with Audio Research. He went further to say that he preferred the higher models of copper to the silver, which he felt could have a little bite to them and be too forward and top end oriented. Though I've heard recent ARC with silver AQ wires, I didn't compare by only changing wires and don't know the systems well enough to comment on copper vs. silver.
After 20+ years with all Audio Research tube gear, I'm experimenting with solid state for the office and eventually bought 3 pairs of AQ King Cobra and two Diamondback for the LS3, D130, and Revox B160 and McIntosh MR67 and MR77 tuners. I'm also trying out tuners to settle that department. [And the MR67 is the magic one !]
Just last week came an AQ NRG-2 power cord for the Cambridge Audio 640C. I was using a $6 IEC computer cord and of course the AQ was an immediate improvement. This cord was sold as used, but I believe it had never been used and it is still changing. This is my first "serious" power cord as the 640C is the only piece of gear that has a detachable one. I've kept my Audio Research stuff so long, that the things I bought new are now "vinatage".
All of the interconnects and power cord were purchased used for around 1/2 of the new price- (Diamondbacks at $60-75, the King Cobras all between $90 and $110, and NRG-2 was only $50)- and I believe some were from impatient sellers that did not use them long enough to hear their real potential. Out of the box, the King Cobras were harsh and with a muddy bass. But, I could hear some good things "through" it and a couke of times, I heard these cables just blossom magically over a couple of hours into a wonderful sound. I first tried the King Cobra in an unlikely combination of a 1988 Revox B160 tuner into a $150 Sony 2X100W receiver. I couldn't believe the sound it made- the Sony must be low distortion and the King Cobra- once it developed fully- 50 hrs or so, was fantastic- detail, imaging, natural timbre, discretion between sounds, open and transparent bass- helping provide all the qualities I expect ARC stuff to do well.
I'd neglected the wires for a long time and had been using a combination of 1985-1990 AQ and Audio Research wires. The ARC interconnects (I have the shielded version) were actually quite good, but the King Cobra is another level entirely. Also, the King Cobra is a noticeable improvemnt over the Diamondback and I would buy only th eKing Cobra or above in future.
But on another level, even the lower end cables are impressive. Recently, I purchased two pair of 4.5M AQ Sidewinder to use between a Yamamha synthesiser and the computer soundcard and to the LS3, and even the modest Sidewinder was an amazing improvement over regular pro cables. If I were an HT person, I think I'd consider that one.
I'm not setled with wires for the main system: ARC SP10 and D115, and as that system is not left on all the time like the solid state office one, I may try the DBS system cables.
For speaker cables with Audio Research, I've had the best luck with Kimber and for me the 4TC is a really good value, but probably I'm discussing below the level one would expect for a REF system. I eventually bought 8TC for the SP10/D115 system as I plan to someday perhaps biamp. I'd like to try Kimber power cords when I get serious about a main system CD player {possibly Rega Saturn)
I hate to admit it, but part of all the AQ buying was not only the recommendations of special sympatico with ARC stuff, but also that AQ wires are so much more often sold used than Kimber! I decided that experiments with wires need to be reasonable as to cost.
I'ce heard the ARC CD7 > REF 3 > REF 110 combination twice and the REF3 with the REF 610T and I think the REF 3 is a fantastic line stage.
Personally, I'd consider, for reference, a REF2/II for $4500, fill it with nice NOS 6DJ8s and a well maintained, late 80's D250 Servo for $3500 with 250W- instead of the 100W 110 for $10,000. I'm not yet fully convinced of the 6H30 "supertube"- though the REF 3 makes a very, very good case. The thing is the 6H30 has really no substantial range of sonic alternatives- really I think there is new and older from the same two factories. For me, part of the tube allure is the refinement possible through tube choices- though with ARC, one has to be very careful of tubes used. The nice thing with ARC is that you can buy a 25 year old amplifier and with the amazing ARC service, use it with absolute confidence another 25 years. I've found too that every piece of ARC stuff seems to work well with about all the other pieces, even when they are separated by a long period- another benefit of the ARC trend of product continuity.
You didn't mention the speakers for your future REF system, but I highly recommend hearing the Vandersteen Quattros. I last heard them with the CD7> REF3> 610T - a really, really impressive combination. I heard the Vandersteen 5As with the REF3/110 and that was amazing as well.
Would that the "SP18" was an SP10 phono stage combined with a REF2/II line stage,..
Cheers,
Bambi B
[Audio Research: SP8 (85), SP10 (87), LS3 (96), D115 (85), D130 (96) }
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