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i found very little info on Onda, a Canadian company. Recently was fortunate to have put Air cables from Onda in my system. The results were dramatically excellent in smoothing out my system, everything I use is all silver based. When putting Onda in between my DAC and pre at the source level this has made a dramatic impact. Had I have more means I would seriously consider upgrading everything to Onda, however one step at a time it seems.
Follow Ups:
I have a couple Onda Rapture power cords that are very impressive. Well made, revealing, yet not harsh at all.
Just-
what other gear is in your system?
If you click on the (A) next to my moniker there is a link to my system.
I'm currently running my two Onda Rapture power cords on my Bybee Stealth power conditioner and my VAC 160i integrated amplifier.
I will check out your profile.
What other cables/cords have you used ?
I'll try though. I have used, in no particular order:
Monster
MIT
Audioquest
Tara Labs
Cardas
Kubala Sosna
Kimber
Straightwire
Acoustic Zen
JPS Labs
Purist Audio
Transparent
Nordost
Stealth
Jade
Gabriel Gold
KCI
Fusion
Audience
XLO
Anti Cables
Ridge Street
High Fidelity
Wywires
Shunyata
Elrod
BMI
DCCA
Auditorium 23
Snake River
Mapleshade
Amadi
Mogami
Analysis Plus
Audio Magic
Verastarr
Electraglide
TimePortal
VH Audio
Discovery
CH Acoustic
That's all I can come up with now, I'm sure I missed a few. That's 30 years of playing with cables/cords. Some manufacturers I've tried many models of, some only one model.
An outstanding list! Damn, you are my hero.
On a serious tip, how did you enjoy the Elrod & Kubala Sousna cables ?
Hero??? That's a first! Most just think I have a screw loose.
Anyway, Elrod and Kubala Sosna both fall into the cord category, as I've never heard cables for either.
I've owned cords from both companies. The Emotion from K-S, and the EPS-2/3 Signature and Statement from Elrod. They are somewhat similar in that they both fall into the musical/warm camp of cables/cords, which I tend to prefer over the transparent/analytical camp.
Mostly my experience has taught me that many cables/cords tend to be very system synergy and personal tastes dependent.
That said, the Elrod cords are one of my favorites, an all time classic if you ask me. I still own a EPS2 and 3 Signature, and will probably use them again in the future, as I plan to sell the High Fidelity CT-1U cords.
The Statement cords are too stiff and clunky for me to use. The Elrod sound is very powerful, full and dimensional. I really enjoy them, and in my opinion, can't be beaten in the <$1K category.
The K-S Emotion was also very warm and full, but for me, it just didn't sound as natural or 3 dimensional as the Elrod cords.
I also enjoyed PAD cords better than the Emotion. For me, the Emotion was a nice cord, but over-priced. I have a friend who is running a higher priced system than mine, who absolutely loves his all K-S Fascination cables/cords. He likes Thiel speakers though, which tend to be too bright for my ears.
For the purpose of this thread, the Onda Rapture is a very different animal. It is not in the warm/musical camp like Elrod, PAD, or K-S. It is more revealing and transparent, as you would expect with cords with silver in them. I don't know that I would like a whole system full of Onda cables and cords, I suspect that may be too lean for me. However, a couple sprinkled in the right place can certainly provide some missing detail. I would not say that Onda is as fast, articulate, or lean as Nordost or even Stealth, it has more body and musical weight, but still leans to the high resolution end of the spectrum versus the musical end.
No loose screw(s) here either. Just a very deep respect for Cabling!
Have you ever auditioned Stage III Concepts PC (older models)?
I think that you would enjoy what they have to offer in terms of resolution,
details and transparency. Not warm at all, IMO. Until I can get an Elrod,
EnKlein or Kubala demo -these are my reference power cords (PC).
A very close runner-up, if you will, goes to Silent Source (musical reference) PC.
No, I have never had the opportunity to audition any Stage III cords. I have heard of them, especially the Kraken, and if the opportunity arose, I would jump at it.
I am even more intrigued by the Silent Source, as I have had some experience with those cables. I had the opportunity to demo a pair of Silver Signature interconnects (no longer manufactured), and I was very impressed. Price wise the Silver Signature was in between the Signature and the MR levels. I almost had a SS MR power cord, but just missed it. I do keep my eyes open for more though.
So it sounds as if you lean more towards the transparent, detail, resolution camp? I don't think you would care for Elrod, K-S or PAD.
I like a nice mix, but lean a bit more to the warm, musical side of the spectrum. I find the High Fidelity stuff to be pretty neutral, emphasizing neither the bass (warmth) or the highs (detail).
What kind of gear are you using?
The best aspect about Stage III PC, is that, the entry level PC is outstanding. As for my system, I am in a period of transition. It will be centered around Thiel speakers. I am not certain if I will go tubes or ss?
For tubes, I like Conrad Johnson gear. The best ss gear right now is Pass Labs.
My friend that owns and loves Thiels, he has the 3.6 and 6, he is using a CJ preamp with a Classe amp. He also has a deHavilland preamp with McIntosh monoblocks, but he prefers the CJ/Classe match. He is also running a full loom of K-S Fascination cables/cords.
Personally, I have always found Thiels to be too revealing for my tastes, but with his gear and cables, they tame the shrill top end of the Thiels nicely.
Right On!
this year I have read about more Thiel fans using CJ gear in their systems.
It is also good to learn about KS being a sonic match for both electronics and speakers.
Funny, I have always found Thiels to be too bright/lean for my tastes, and CJ, K-S to be too warm/slow for my tastes.
Just goes to show you, it's all about system synergy.
I love the VAC house sound,in fact I just ordered a 160i SE version that should be here next week. I suppose I will be selling my 160i down the road.
Very nice- both VAC & VTL are on my must-demo list whenever I find a dealer/retailer.
What other gear rounds out your system?
CDP: Marantz SA-11S1 w/ Ultimate tube mod from pcX. Siemens 6922's in the buffer stage.
Turntable: VPI Scout w/ Scoutmaster platter, VPI JMW 9 tonearm and junction box wired with Nordost cable.
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze cartridge.
Allnic H1201 phono stage.
Speakers: Reference 3A Grand Veena
Very nice system!
nt
which CDP did you have prior to the Marantz?
Wow, that's really going back a long way. I've had the modded Marantz for over 9 years now. Let's see, as I recall, I sold a BAT VK-D5SE w/ Super-Pak, and a EMM Labs CDSA SE when I listened to the modded Marantz. It blew them both away.
Analog has been my main source since 2000. I steered away from digital separates back then.
After almost 10 years with the Marantz, I am going to be taking it in for service, as the drawer sticks a bit now. I'll get it fixed up, but I'll keep it, as it's worth more to me than it is on the market. I may start looking for another digital unit though, one that has computer audio abilities too.
Thanks! for sharing. You have owned some nice CD spinners.
I like Onda's approach of using large gauage pure silver, not plated. No claims of exotic "6 nines" pure silver from Volcanoes of Tibet, etc.
In fact, one of my all-time favorite cables is PS Audio Transcendent Silver which uses similar philosophy of large AWG pure silver. Too bad it's no longer made..
the use of silver pins in the XLRs that I use struck me as a good idea as well.
Where did you demo these cables/cords?
I bought the interconnects sound unheard, I am glad I did. Wonderful difference.
I would have concerns about using large gauge anything.The large silver that I have heard (say Garth Audio/Sterling/QM) has had a signature.Neutral enough through the mids ,but the extremes tend to be more non-linear.This can add detail through the midbass and also in the mid/high frequencies.
Placed into a more neutral environment,these cables presented a "signature" to the sound.
Once you have identified a signature and can hear it when you listen,the more it is similar to someones' thumb print on your camera lens.
Don't get me wrong,I would still be interested in hearing the cable.But have some concerns with the design philosophy.YMMV
Tom:cat
Through dozens of wire designs and philosphies, I don't believe I have yet heard one that does not have some signature, regardless of price.
I quite like Omega Mikro you mentioned prior, which also has a signature. PS Audio Transcendent Silvers, which I like a lot, also has a signature.
I wish we didn't have to use wires in our systems and hope the new hi-res wireless technologies may have some use, but let's be realistic; various wireless signal transmitters/protocols/etc are bound to have their own signatures as well. This is the curse of our hobby..
nt
so true-bullethead.
So many cables, so little time...
from these cables! Thanks
Had a similar reaction when using Omega Mikro.I substituted a Stealth PGS upstream and found more warmth and body.Bought enough to cable the whole system-way too much of a good thing.Lost a lot of "presence",bu itt did educate me as to the "harmonic balance" that the system was attaining.Eventually pursued a different cable approach.
It is amazing how a cable can "make or break" a system.
Tom:cat
my initial reaction was to do the same and get more of the same and re-wire the whole system. I think that would also be too much of a good thing, also I can't afford it at the moment. :)
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