Acoustic Zen Hologram II - best for the $


Hi everyone,

I'm upgrading my system from the Nordost Blue Heaven LS (a bit too forward for my taste), and I have read nothing but positive comments about the Acoustic Zen Hologram II. I have the following system:

Oppo 105 for CD/SACD
Exposure 2010s2 Integrated
KEF LS50 speakers

The description of the AZ sound in the reviews appears to be quite balanced, perhaps a little to the warm side. This is what I'm looking for. So, my question is whether there is anything at $1000 (for 2m) price point that you think is clearly superior to the Hologram II.

I don't have an audio store near me, so I'd have to buy blind and deal with the return as I audition cables. I want to make sure that narrow it down to a very limited number of high quality choices.

Thanks so much for your time, and have a great day!
Scott
smrex13

Showing 1 response by mitch2

One difference between the Audio Sensibility cables and Acoustic Zen is the use of larger 14awg conductors in the AS cables compared to multiple strands of individually insulated smaller wires in the AZ cables. There are some who believe 14awg is too large for reasons related to skin-effect, although the Anti-Cables guy seems to do ok using 14awg wire.

My experience owning the Double Barrel was good with high powered amplification into moderate sensitivity speakers but I thought I detected a little something in the upper mid to high frequencies that came off as very slightly "rough" in direct comparison to the quite similar designed Harmonic Technology line (Pro 9+ and Pro 9 Ref) so I use the HT cables. Maybe this is related to the use of Dupont™ Teflon™ dielectric in the Double Barrel cables, compared to foamed PE insulation in the HT cables (although the new HT Pro 9 Ref do use some Teflon™). The difference was small and I could live with either of the cables.

I suspect the Hologram II will sound good also as they follow the same prescription of multiple, individually insulated, small gauge wires, and the 8awg aggregate size should be plenty large.
In the price range, I would also consider HT Pro 9+ or Ref, or Pro 11+ as well as purchasing bulk Neotech NES-3002 cable and terminating them myself. All of these use OCC wire.