Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Straight Wire Serenade ICs Cable by G man

Model:	Serenade ICs
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$350.00
Description:	Analog Interconnect
Manufacturer URL:	Straight Wire
Manufacturer URL:	Straight Wire

Review by G man ( A ) on January 28, 2005 at 09:59:20
IP Address: 208.19.133.132

Add Your Review
for the Serenade ICs

I have had a 1 mtr balanced pair of these ICs in my system for around 2 months now. As with other cables in my system or that I have tried, I was basically looking for a cable that was well made and that would allow the best the system was capable of through. Other cables in various locations that it would be compared against were the LAT International IC-100 (current version), Acoustic Zen WOW, and Shunyata Aries.

I basically went this route because Straight Wire almost insisted that I would be happiest with the Serenade, or that it was their best model for my system. It certainly is not their most expensive, so I was a little dubious, fearing that it, like other more reasonably priced cables I had tried, would not be any better or good enough. Luckily, their advice was warranted and the Serenade has worked out nicely.

Initially, I used it between my preamplifier and amplifier, replacing a balanced pair of AZ WOW. The IC between the CD player and preamp remained the balanced pair of Aries. I have not noticed any significant change in character of the Serenade over time, but that is just fine. Compared to the WOW, it was not much of a contest according to my criteria. Starting with the tonality, the system took on a more natural portrayal of presentation and sound. Instruments and vocals sounded different and to my ears, more correct and natural. I suppose in some cases this could be referred to as timbre too.

There was less of an electronic, and more of a musical bent to the sound. If it were not for the increased overall resolution and frequency extreme performance, I might have thought it was coloring or covering up the sound. But I can hear more resolution through the midrange, both with vocals, as with Nora Jones, can just hear more of what is making the sound of her voice, and with instruments such as an acoustic guitar, where I am getting the initial string, but also the vibration of the string and resonance in the body. And none of it is thrust forward...it just sounds more right.

Listening to piano, the attack on the strings and resultant overtones sound better too. Cymbals have less of a brashness, yet more detail. On the low end, the bass was less prominent overall. Still actual extension was easily stronger, and I actually heard tone and resonance down there for the first time. I would have to conclude that the WOW has a midbass bump in it, or its electrical properties produce that characteristic in my system. The WOW is a good cable for the money, but in my system the Serenade is much better for not much more.

The comparison to the much more expensive Shunyata Aries was too difficult. The only audible difference I can pick up on so far is the tone or timbre. The Serenade seems to produce a more pleasing or natural sound in my system. But to me, that means that the Serenade, overall, is probably a better match to my system than the Aries. But other than that, any other differences between the two appear beyond the performance envelope of my system.

The comparison to the Shunyata Aries

Product Weakness: Any weaknesses appear to be beyond my systems capabilities to hear.
Product Strengths: Musical, resolution, timbre, extension and dynamics.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Aragon 8008BB
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Krell KRC-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Ayre CX-7
Speakers:	Mirage M3si
Cables/Interconnects:	Straight Wire Serenade, Shunyata Aries, MIT MH-750 Biwire, Analysis Plus Oval 12, Shunyata Snakebite PCs
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Classical, Pop
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 27 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Cornertunes, carpet, furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	AudioPrism ACFX, Power Foundation .5
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Any weaknesses appear to be beyond my systems capabilities to hear.
Product Strengths:	Musical, resolution, timbre, extension and dynamics.