|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
107.4.171.8
First and foremost...I have slim to none technical chops in reading equipment and cable specs...I am going to attach the majority of white papers on my Preamp, CJ CT-5 and Sanders Magtech Amp...Cables are all Zu Events...Speaker, interconnects and RCA digital...
I do not expect inmates to read all of the links that I have provided...
What I am looking for is a "cheat sheet" of what numbers are the most important when "trying" to match cables to gear to optimize performance...
And a short explanation why these are important...I know I am asking ALLOT...but this forum has always seemed to me, to go out of their way to help us VERY non-technical Audiophile...
Through my history on AA, I have NEVER claimed or try to BS that I know more than I do...Through the years of lurking I have learned so much from the technical inmates...
I have very thick skin, so do not worry if you want to take me to task...this is something that has bothered me for a very long time and would like to learn what to look for numbers wise when system matching cables with gear, along with gear to gear...
Any constructive input would be greatly appreciated...I am not looking to start a flame war in anyway...Cables have been controversial recently all over the High-end industry...I for one, feel they make a huge difference...you change 1 cable in my rig and Guarantee you WILL hear a difference...
Here is my brief cable history:
Transparent Ultras' XL's all around at one point...
Analysis Plus...speaker cables...
Kimber Kable...speaker and interconnects...
Zu Audio...Wax speaker cables, Wilde, Mission II's interconnects and had the Ash digital for years...
Current Zu Audio...Event 1 speaker and interconnects and digital
IMHO...the Zu's play way over their price point and deliver very neutral music...
IN MY SYSTEM...the Zu's do most everything extremely...with my Maggies, I look for cables that highlight it strengths...huge soundstage, pinpoint imaging, smooth frequencies from top to bottom, PRat in spades...
My final test...do I get goose-bumps that connect me to the emotional spine of the recorded event...My audiophile ears recede into the background and I just CONNECT to the music...for me that is what this hobby is all about...
As I stated earlier...I know I am asking allot...if it is too much, I completely get it....
I am going to be on the run for the most of this Sunday and will not be able to reply until later this evening...
Please forgive my Dyslexia...it becomes obvious very quickly reading my post...
Thank you for your time and consideration, in advance...
Mark
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/51dd8a95e4b0ff2f7c9874ae/t/51fea2a8e4b0fcc9a46416f9/1375642280702/EventLs-1A_Specs.pdf
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/51dd8a95e4b0ff2f7c9874ae/t/5421cb95e4b04593a572da29/1411500949170/EventRCA-2A_CS.pdf
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/51dd8a95e4b0ff2f7c9874ae/t/51fea171e4b0a3cc8742bc74/1375641969413/EventSPdif-1A_Specs.pdf
http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/technical-white-papers/161-the-magtech-regulated-power-supply-wp
http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/technical-white-papers/56-transmission-line-white-paper
http://www.conradjohnson.com/It_just_sounds_right/ct5.html
Follow Ups:
Mark-
your ears are going to be the best descriptor when it comes to Cabling.
CJ is a sonic match w/ Audioquest & Audience!
I generally concur with Duster as to the idiosyncrasies of each system that can make cable selection problematic. Having said that however, I see that you did use Analysis Plus speaker cables at one time. Among the four different type of speaker cables I have used, I found the AP Oval Nines to be either best or a very close second (I currently used River Cable Flexygy 6). With regard to speaker cables, in general, I've found heavier gauge ( 8 to 10 AWG) to work best for me in order to provide sufficient bass.
As of now...I really like the Zu Events...they do most everything really well...they have out preformed Kimbers, Analysis Plus an older version of the Oval 9's, Transparent Ultra XL's...so for now I am going to stick with those...
Thank for the input...I may revisit the Analysis Plus...which model do you like and would play to the strengths of Maggie 3.7i's and Magtech combo, in your opinion...
thanks again
Mark
Mark,
MY APs were also an earlier version of the AP Oval Nines (from around 2001). However, any ideas on how they may play with your gear would be speculation on my part and it looks like you may have had them in your system already. Having said that, I found them to be an excellent match when I had my first high end amp and speakers (ATI 1202 or its earlier equivalent and B&W Nautilus 805 speakers) and later with Paradigm Reference Studio 100 speakers and Parasound JC-1 monoblocks. I don't have any experience with Maggies and if the Zu cables seem to be a good match, they may be keepers for you. In my system, which is listed in my profile, I've found OCC copper interconnects work best (AQ and Wireworld), but the Zu silver may be best for yours. It's often a matter of looking over the specs and construction, reading reviews and experiences, and then actually testing them in your system. I know I'm less than definitive, but hope the ideas shed some light.
Cable spec sheets and whitepapers don't tend to provide information that indicates synergy when it comes to specific system matching issues. Cable spec sheets and whitepapers tend to share design technologies and audiophile philosophies that are not so useful when trying to determine whether or not a particular cable would be *ideal* for a particular component, system, or a listener's wants/needs. Anecdotal evidence based on peer group evaluations and reviews can offer guidance, and the quality of materials and geometry of a particular cable indicate what is important to the cable designer rather than ideal suitability simply based on cable measurements alone. This is not to say measurements are not insightful, but one cannot tell how a particular cable with specific measurements will sound when mated with particular gear simply based on the numbers, since there are too many variables within a particular audio system that must be factored in.
When looking at my CJ CT-5 to my Sanders Magtech...
What would be the critical numbers to look at for the output of the CJ to the input of the Magtech??? I have some idea, but would like to learn more about the ranges that work best...
Side bar...one Magtech owner had the input sensitivity changed on his Magtech to match the output of his CJ pre...
Thank you for your time and consideration...
Mark
From what I gather, the output impedance of the CJ CT5 is compatible with the input impedance of the Sanders Magtech. The only advice I can offer is to follow the usual insight of choosing a low-resistance, low-capacitance cable design if implementing a long pair of interconnects. Please post a link to the report of a Magtech owner who changed the input sensitivity of his Magtech to match the output of his CJ pre.
thanks
Mark
The essence of that modification is that of a passive preamp, which does not apply to your use of a CJ CT5 preamplifier with your Sanders Magtech power amplifier.
thanks Again...my preamp to amp cable length is currently 5.5 ft...speakers runs are 10'...if I do move the rack, which I am considering...I will look into the VH Audio for the longer runs...
Thanks again
Mark
I'm sure if you fully enjoy the presentation of your system with the current cables at this time, they are helping to provide obvious synergistic benefits within your system.
That said, there's no reason why you shouldn't want to experiment with other make/models other than cost or motivations involved...
Cable swapping is good audiophile fun.
Brands that currently interest me...
JPS Labs Super Conductor 3's...Aluminata
Cardas Clear line
Audience SE's
I have just ripped my WHOLE CD collection to AIFF, Lossless FLAC and WAV...a friend of mine had wrote a couple of lines of code when ripping in DB-poweramp, so it would rip all three formats with one rip...really convenient...takes up a little more memory but hey I have all three if I ever need them...
Currently the next on the hit list will most likely be the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC...I really like the idea of the software upgrades...they just replaced the Pikes Peak with the new Yale software last week...DS owners seem extremely happy with the new Yale version...
Thank you again Duster for all your help...much appreciated...
take care
Mark
I have searched the Agon forums where I thought I read about it...
But doing this from memory it was a guy who was selling his Magtech that wanted to be able to use either his preamp or DAC as a volume control...he had Roger Sanders make it possible to change the input impedance with a rotary dial mounted on the back of the amp...
I will search for more info...about the CJ / Sanders matching thread some more...
Thank you again for your time...
Mark
You might consider the new VH Audio V-Twist interconnect cable. A finished product is said to be available soon.
If you require a notably long-length interconnect, the also new VH Audio V-Quad interconnect might be appropriate for your wants/needs.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: