Are silver cables best for my system????


Right now I am running Kimber KCAG's I have extensively burnt them in. I ran them a week in a cable burner. They mellowed out a bit. My system is as follows. Shanling mod 1+ from Parts Connexion. Adcom 750 preamp. Bryston 4BSST amp. Accoustech PH1 Premium. Acoustic Sig Final tool with Graham 2.2 with silver Kimber phonocable. Tandberg 3014A. And a PS Audio P1000 power plant. Transparent speaker cables ($1400) dont know which model. And PSB Stratus Gold speakers. My system has a lot of detail but lacks some warmth. Are my cables too good for my system??????? Are they revealing the flaws of my less than A+ components??? Any help appreciated. Thanks
128x128blueranger

Showing 1 response by gunbei

I'll pretty much echo John and Robm321's experiences.

I'm not so sure your cables are too good for your system, it's just that their leaner nature has shifted the tonal balance of your overall sound.

There are many people that like to use revealing cables and buy their components accordingly to create the balance they are seeking. The idea is NOT to use cables as tone controls, but to find the ones that step out of the way and allow the true character of the components to come through.

I however, am not totally in that camp. I like finding cables that aren't too intrusive with their character, but I also find it valuable to use them to tune my system. To a degree. The reason for that is that whenever I change a component or cable, I often notice differences that aren't limited to just a tonal shift. If it were that easy, then I'd be using all silver.

What I've found is that when changing a component/cable for another, there always seems to be multiple attributes being traded for a slightly differing set of attributes. It's not always a cut and dry contrast, and I end up weighing the five things cable A does well against the five things cable B does well and trying to decide which compromises I can live with by choosing one over the other. Also, sometimes one component/cable will strike you in such a way that you're willing to sacrifice some of the things it doesn't do so well just because angels fly out of your butt whenever this one piece is in the chain.

Your Adcom, and Bryston aren't known for having a warm character. If you don't want to switch components, then I'd consider what some of the posters are suggesting and that's to try copper cabling. If you can find cables that deliver the balance of detail and warmth you're looking for, they should help the Bryston and Stratus Golds create a big, bold, musical sound.

Interconnects that have worked well for me in delivering warmth, detail and a huge soundstage are the Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II.

Good luck!

By the way, Robm321. I like warm and fuzzy too. Ain't she sweet?