Euphonic speaker cables anybody?

OK, it's upgrade time (again )...

Last year I changed my CDP and amp from NAD c541 / c370 to Meridian 507 / Primare A30.1. My speakers are Dynaudio Contours (1.8 MkII). In general I like the sonic qualities of the system - it sounds natural, quite powerful, clean and very transparent. This cleanness and transparancy has a flip side, though: occasionally I find the presentation a tad too etched, dry and "matter of fact" - too much hi-fi and too little musicality. A bit more romanticism certainly wouldn't do any harm.

Mind you, I'm talking nuances - not fundamentals. Consequently, some fine-tuning should hopefully suffice. My feeling is that the problem could perhaps be solved by getting better speaker cables, and possibly better interconnects. I currently have my gear hooked up with Ixos 613 speaker cables and Van den Hul 102 MkIII interconnects.

What I am looking for is a set of speaker cables and interconnects:

1. that have a rather warmer, richer and thicker sound
2. that add a little valve-like smoothness to proceedings, making the sound "nicer"
3. that provide individual instruments and voices with a bit more depth and "body"
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   but that still allow the detail to creep through.
   
   I was thinking of something along the lines of the Kimber 8VS speaker cables, but I've never heard those so maybe I'm wide of the mark here. Any suggestions anybody?
   
   Thanks!

 

the obvious choice is isolda dct, it's expensive at ove 100 quid a meter but it has never killed the musicality in any system i've heard it in.
you may also give naim's naca 5 a try as it can impart those qualities you list on a syhstem, usually at the expense of other things but it's damn cheap and shops that stock it usually have a run or 2 for demo purposes so worth a try.

interconnects i know very little about so i'll leave that alone.
cheers

julian

 

julian

Thanks.
I was considering the Townshend Isolda, but from what I've read it would still seem to be a bit too neutral for my tastes (i.e. too much a "straight line", whereas I think I need a cable that colours the sound to some extent but doesn't obscure things). I'll go looking for the Naim tho.

 

How about some Isolda MINUS the DCT? www.audiogon.com



Goertz MI2 Veracity 15' spades free shipping
Asking $220.00 obo
New Retail $400.00
Condition 8/10
Days/Views 4 / 149
Ship cost Inc shipping in US
Ship from 7 lbs from 90806
Ship to USA only
Included Box

About Seller Johnnypw (24)
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Description
I have a 15' pair of Alpha Core Goertz Ml2 Veracity speaker cable up for sale.
Stereophile's Kalman Rubinson's Reference cable.
It is terminated with spades on both ends. Great sound, very coherent and warm. Great for any amps and speaker combination. No defects whatsoever, just over 2 years old.



Thats about £130 plus shipping and import duty and tax.

Chris

 

I think Isolda and it's constiuents and relations are the wrong way to go with this one. Good though it is (I run it), it is more likely to push the balance in the other direction, ones persons neutral is another one's stark. If you want greater Euphony (warmth, lushness, wholesome-ness and general comfortable-ness) then there are better choices IMO. I seem to have created some new words there!!

To be fair, I think something from Audioquest or VDH are more likely to be on the shopping list. Audioquest Forrest springs to mind, although I have no first hand experience (I tend to go for drier myself, although Isolda isn't dry), but from what I've heard it's definately more likely toi be what you're after. the downside is that it can be little dark, and the Primare can lack a little air at the top so it's something to watch out for.

Certainly the Isolda, QED Silver Spiral Genesis, Kimber cables and the like are out.

Cheers

 

Chris is right, the MI2 we are pretty covinced it's Isolda however £130+ vat (17.5%)= £152.75 =4.5% import tax £6.87= £159.62 then there's shipping I just shipped 2 some test cables weight 8 lbs cost 4 days non express fed ex $66.88 (you can get cheaper $ 35-$40 shipping usps 10 day round the world job, but also be warned that Royal mail clobber you for handling and delievering another £8 and £7) + $11 insurance so that's another $78 (£48.75) so that's £159.63+£48.75=£208.36, no 2 15 foot runs I feel weigh more than 11lbs, I just sold 2 by 2.5m runs of Isolda DCT for £200, some things it pays to import others you need to think it's the hidden bits that can kill the deal also remember paypal another 3% if you pay by card, so always remeber this. WM

 

That's a none starter then.

 

Hi Mo

It said that on my CAL DAC too.. usually doesnt mean much, all they want is the money..!

Good point WM on the import extras - its so hard to find used Isolda/goertz in the UK though..... didnt you have 1 set of it?

I got my 3m pair for £100, so it IS out there if you look hard enough..

CHris

 

Just my two penny worth.

Why do you want to add colouration in to your system ?

I think you are going the wrong way in that all the items you own will have hopefully ben designed to give you a performance as close to the original as possible. If not tnat means there are serious deficiencies in the gear you bough...I don't beleive that for a moment.

That said we need to as why you are hearing what your hearing. you say you have transparency and neutrality it sound like your missing dynamics. you say you have an etched and dry presentation, have you considered its the program material ?

I feel what you are realy looking for is a valve amp, so with that in mind why not sell the primare and go for what you want.


Did you say what speaker cable and IC's your running at the moment ?

Alternatively, a number of solutions spring to mind but you need to PM me.

 

I'd have to echo Zanash, it does seem as though the right valve amp would seem to have the answers to your sonic requirements. There are many different flavours though, even amongst those using the same valves.

Although this seem to be turning into a bit of a "sub-thread" on the importing/Audiogon theme, as Chris has mentioned "USA only" doesn't mean a thing, I've had many such sellers willing to send to UK as long as you are aware of the postage costs. Example of bargain, just bought 1m AZ MC2 digital I/C for £145 (plus about £24 Post Office fees when it gets here) (Henry - I missed it too much ) Mind you that's from Singapore !!!

 

All:

Thanks for your replies.

Zanash, badchamp:

To be perfectly honest I was fearing somebody would come up with a recommendation of the sort. And the trouble is that I agree with you (in fact I have been drooling over some substantial and powerful valve amps of the likes of Audio Research for some time now), but unfortunately I don't have the funds to adequately follow your suggestion . You see, I would really hate to part from my Dyns and they are speakers that require some serious wattage to wake up - which implies serious cash as well. So I'm stuck with the Primare for the moment (which I selected on the ground that its sound is pretty valve-like to begin with), and I will have to be creative - hence the question on which cabling might reduce the problem...

 

So as I suggested you need to look else where for the solution. I also have a handicaped wallet, and therefore I will always attempt torectify a situation at minimal cost. Pm and I give you a few suggestions that could help.

You still don't appear to have mentioned what cables you are using?

 

Well, as a matter of fact I did...

But I forgot to tell that I live in Holland (which may be relevant when it comes to buying secondhand stuff, as I would prefer to audition before I buy).

I'll try and send you a PM tonight.

Thanks for your help.

 

Sorry must have missed that ...!

yes PM and I'll contact you!