Analysis plus ova 9‘S vs. Kimber cable 8tc’s.

I wouldn't hesitate to use either, but(if I were you)- I'd be strongly attracted to the Ovals.   I've got Kimber 8TC, going to my actively bi-amped woofers and Big Silver Ovals, going to my main speakers.    I've been very happy with both.   I hadn't looked at the Analysis Plus site in some time.  Now I'm thinking about 2 X 8' of Silver APEX.   Thanx, pal!   

Whatever you purchase for SC’s just buy a standard pair non bi-wire and use jumpers at the binding post on the speakers removing the cheap straps. There’s more than one way to connect speaker cable w/jumpers and the configuration will vary so you have to experiment and pick what you prefer.

Not to pitch Nordost, but this link, page 2 describes what I am referring to. Whatever you end up buying I’d recommend buying their jumpers just to keep it simple.

https://nordost.com/downloads/NorseJumperinstructions.pdf

I use the bottom of the three configurations as shown with my Aerial’s and can tell the difference. Again you have to try the three and pick what you prefer if you hear a difference.

I owned the Analysis Plus and thought them one of the best less expensive cables I have owned.  

You can't go wrong with either choice, in fact if budget allows buy one of each to really spend some time with them.

Also, I agree adg101, buy a single wire with jumpers.  AP makes very reasonably priced jumpers BTW.

Oval 9 has better bass .

Thanks for everyone’s input. I’m going to give this thread a couple of more days before I decide.

I wouldn’t bother bi-wiring, but- if you do, refer to the site posted by adg101, and carefully read the first and second lines under the heading, "The Does and Don’ts of Bi-Wiring ".   Spending what you would on a bi-wire pair of Oval 9s, on an improved single run, might be preferable.  Here's a thought, though I don't know what length you require:  https://www.usedcable.com/analysis-plus-big-silver-oval-bananas-8ft-2-5m-pair-speaker-cables.html

Thanks for the link. I need 5ft cables.

Must be nice!  Happy listening!

I’m leaning toward the oval 9’s. Any other thoughts?

Thanks Elizabeth.

I bet on Analysis Plus. And I’m a betting man. 💵

I ran Kimber 8TCs to my Aerial Model 8s for many years. Was very happy with them. 

I didnt bi-wire but my speakers came with a bridge that connected the posts. 

You already have the best cables - why not outfitting them with tech flex and the best connectors.  It would make a real difference.

Add another vote for Analysis Plus.

I was all set to buy a new set of the oval 9’s and I noticed a used set of 8tc’s for sale on this site. Got them for about half price of what a new set would cost. I may buy some oval 9’s also, but I’m going to wait for the Kimbers to get here and give them a listen. Thanks for all the advice.

So I hooked up my Kimber 8tc’s this morning and have been listening to music all day. Mostly on the radio. I have a Kenwood KT 8300 that’s been worked on that sounds pretty good, plus we have a great NPR station in Louisville, WFPK that plays a lot of good music. The first thing I noticed is that my stereo sounds different. At first I couldn’t decide if was better or not. The more I listened the more I liked it. When the news came on at 5 , I couldn’t shut the music off for news. Since I wasn’t drinking or anything else, this was significant.

A few minutes ago I put an Analogue Pressings re-master of Cat Stevens 
“Tea for the Tillerman”.  Listening to that right now and I have to tell you that I never thought a pair of speaker cables could make so much difference. This is my go to record to see if changes make a difference and the difference is not minor to my ears. This comes from a skeptical person who doesn’t believe in much unless there is data to back it up. The sound is much fuller and richer. The soundstage seems much larger. I realize this may just be my imagination, but today these are my impressions.

Nice!  Glad you like them.  They are consistently good cables and you will enjoy them even more with more time on them

Just a little follow up. The music sounds more natural and fleshier, more meat on the bone compared to the bjc cables which are thinner sounding. This was one of my best upgrades.

Enjoy!  Never stop learning/experimenting.

I found a pretty good deal on some oval 9’s and ordered them. It will be interesting to compare the two.

gphill, which BJC were you using, canare, belden, other?

Very interested in the comparison of your two new speaker cables, in the same boat.

 I was using the Belden 10 ga.

I received the Analysis plus oval 9’s Wednesday and hooked them up yesterday. It’s way too early to tell anything yet. Just listened to the radio as background music for a little while. Should have some time this weekend for some more critical listening.

Thanks for the update gphill .Looking forward to your review . I owned both and had a distinct favorite .

This is going to be close. Both sound really good. Still getting some time on the oval 9’s.

Well, straight up I'll tell you what i thought , YMMV .
The Kimber was tighter,faster and clearer .AA sounded more like live music
and played better with other brands .Listen to FM , when people talk the Kimber has a hard edge to voices and  AA sounds  like people really talk .Most people are so used to that "Hi-Fi" edge they prefer it over reality IMO .

@gphill-  Any further observations/conclusions?  Just curious.

They are really close. Both sound really good. I’ve been listening to the oval 9’s for the last 10 days or so and I’m going to change back to the Kimber’s tomorrow. I think Schubert May be right about the Kimbers clearer and cleaner sounding. I just need to decide which ones I like the best. I could live with either and not be disappointed.

"I could live with either and not be disappointed." As anticipated!   And both, significantly better than the BJCs/worth the effort and cost?

In my opinion they both bettered the bjc’s. They are a little different but both enjoyable. 

is this the new black mesh oval 9 or the old oval 9 ?

The new ones.

Every recording sounds different as well .I went for the oval 9 because I listen to classical and jazz .
If I did rock(perish the thought) I'd go Kimber ..

I hope this test is not going to send me down the proverbial rabbit hole. There are things I like about both sets of cables. The clarity of the Kimbers is outstanding, but I think the Oval 9’s are more organic and fuller sounding. So I was thinking, wonder what some of the Analysis plus silve speaker cables would be like. Maybe the best of both?

You are correct !  Plus Silver is, IMO. not worth the upgrade , oval 9 is all a sane person needs . 

Good analysis Schubert, I love both but prefer 8tc cause I’m a rocker!

gphill that rabbit hole is deep!  I’ve been there more than once.....

The oval nine is coherent , same from bottom to top .Most rock is recorded with a "bump" at around 120hz to simulate bass .   Almost every rocker hears real bass , clean sound from around 32hz on up as "flat "  , no money in that .


The Kimber is not really any clearer but less bass fools you into thinking
it is , many cables are made like this because the market is 90% rock .
Guys at AA are most skilled engineers in the business and make something based on on non-amplified music aka reality .

Schubert, yeah, right! Did you read that in the funny papers? That was so funny I almost forgot to laugh.

Schubert.....what in the world are you talking about?

Why dont you contact the Cable Company and audition the Analysis Plus Silver Apex speaker cables?   They may be the best of both worlds.I purchased two RCA Silver Apex interconncects (1st purchase was a cable companly loan of the silver apex, Cardas Clear, Audience AG) and I has purchased the Morrow Elite interconnect(1st of the copper rollout)I loved the Silver Apex's and the Morrow went back for a refund as I thought the recommended burn in was crazy and the Silver Apex stomped on them.    1st cable replaced a cheap set of Harmonic Technology interconnects betwen my pass labs amp and my home built pass labs Bride of Zen preamp.   Made a huge difference!!   Then I replaced the 2 meter Tara Labs RSC air between my Pass Labs XONO preamp and the BOZ preamp.   Everything was more musical and the noisefloor lowered(if it actually could).   My SOTA Cosmos turntable has a Nordost Tyre phono cable.    For 10 years or more, Ive been using the copper Tara Labs RSC speaker cables to feed my Dynaudio Special 25'sIm soooo impressed with Analysis Plus cables, I will audition the Silver Apex speaker cables as soon as I can afford them.   I wonder if they will make the system brighter?  But I know they will greatly improve the sound..Cant wait to try them

I have the newer version of the oval 9’s. I think they are great. I owned Nordost speaker cables previously and in every way the oval 9’s do a better job for me. I’ve had the Kimber in a bedroom system years back and thought they were good too, but choosing between the 2, my preference is the oval 9’s. 

I ran AP big silvers with a mac 402 and thought it mated very well,im adding a vote to AP.

After changing these cables several times over the last few weeks, I’ve settled on the oval 9’s. Like I said before both sound good but the oval 9’s were just a little better to my ears.

I'm a fan of Analysis Plus also.Kimber is more 'sterile ' sounding in direct comparison to my ears.I have a Solo Crystal ic of theirs that I really like.As soon as I dropped it in my system I was like "Sigh...yes,this is the one.It just lets the beauty of the music flow." Enjoy!

Good  choice gphill .
Same here jtf !

I really object to those that recommend a cable, or any other component, based on musical preference.