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In Reply to: I thought they were all top shelf? (joking of course) posted by Quiet Earth on April 9, 2007 at 20:33:03:
"Ok, I'll bite. What is one of the top shelf cables? List an example (or two) of a top shelf cable to give me an idea. And what does it do so extraordinarily different than a non top shelf cable?"The "top shelf" cable I was refering to is the AudioQuest Sky with 72VDC DBS.
What this cable delivers, and most others miss, is the very intricate timing cues that allow the whole musical message, so to speak, to be delivered. I have to attribute this quality to the DBS as when one disconnects it from the IC's, a very distinct loss of background solidity is lost which IMHO, has a very profound effect on the integrity of the signal as it is transfered from CD to preamp.
This reveals that the very insulation that is used in cable construction has a VERY profound effect on the cables ability to pass the signal unadultered and if one biases that insulation so as to negate is polluting properties, then one can retrieve a more truthful signal transfer.
Of course, the DBS is NOT the Sky's only attributes. It is the quality of materials used, the implementation of said materials and the refinements over the other cables in the AQ lineup.
Truth be told, I would have off handedly dismissed an IC with a price tag of the Sky's BUT, I chose to audition it and to see first hand just what this IC offers and I am utterly blown away.
If U haven't really heard a pair of high end IC's in your system,
I have a pair of Harmonic Tech Pro-Silways series ll's that I would be willing to send U to audition in your system if your interested. These R VERY good IC's and one that would allow U to hear a high end cable compared to "value oriented" cable.Cheers,
~kenster
Follow Ups:
Every time I get close to buying a top shelf cable, I take a good look at the component driving that cable. I usually upgrade the basic component instead. It's a question of balance to me. In my very confused mind, the component should be of equal or greater value than the wire that follows it. But what do I know? I have shaken my head in disbelief before.I would like to have a cable like that some day. I'm sure that it is everything that you say it is. Although, I'm not sure that you can tell how good it really is with an old marantz CD player. At least you will always have a very fine cable when you get a better player.
Thanks for your very generous offer Ken. I am focussed on speaker wire at the moment and I do not want to get sidetracked. Otherwise, I would take you up on it.
.........but I think it was ~$450 when new and to answer your question.........Yes.I know on the surface it "sounds" absurd BUT it is the resultant sound that matters and it surprised the hell out of me too. Just goes to show that the common accepted practice of IC to component cost ratio is not set in stone :-)
My speaker cables cost more than my speakers and yet there was a definite change for the better when they supplanted a pair of MIT MH-750 plus cables.
In addition, I have extensively modified my Marantz CD-63 mkll and if U might recall, the CD-63 mkll caused quite a stir when it was introduced to the market for it's musical portrayal and very "nondigital" nature in it's stock form.
It has even supplanted my VPI Scout/Benz Micro Ruby 3H OA/EAR834P rig and I have no desire at the present to return to vinyl!
"Thanks for your very generous offer Ken. I am focussed on speaker wire at the moment and I do not want to get sidetracked. Otherwise, I would take you up on it. "
Your more than welcome. It is an open offer if U ever get the itch :-)
Cheers,
~kenster
While it is much more prevalent to encounter the situation where one highly suspects a given component would benefit from, or one might even say *deserves*, a good power cord, in your case the opposite seems to be the case ... I highly suspect your power cord *deserves* a better component!:)
" I highly suspect your power cord *deserves* a better component!"LOL...thanx!
I gotta tell 'ya, when I plugged the CD 63 mkll into the Walker Audio Precision Motor Controller, I just about fell off my listening futon.....I was not even prepared for the results :-)
Yes, using the WAPMC for a CD player would be considered by many to be "extreme", but it has shown me just how big an influence the quality of AC power being supplied to digital components can have.
Cheers,
The number of brands of interconnects, and the range of prices continue to amaze me. Over the past ten years I have been through Audioquest, Transparent, Siltech FTM Gold, NBS Omega, and recently Valhalla and Stereovox. But picking up on a posting on this site two weeks ago, I ordered a one-meter pair of the Stealth Indra from The Cable Company, and WOW! The rave reviews for once do not exaggerate.
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