AZ Matrix II vs Harmonic Tech Magic Link2

Good luck.

For me a MIT Mag would likely sit on my source outputs... as it has before. now there is a pair of Nirvana SX Ltds there. The imaging is better with the SX and the music is delivered uh, easier than it would have been with the Mags. The SX have better ambient retreval as well, but not the bass the MITs do.

The MIT Mags do image better than the Magic IIs by a noticeable bit. But again, the IIs are pretty good and especially for the $$$.

For me... in my system... I'll take the Magic IIs over the AZs... any day.

That said, the HT Magic IIs ain't the end of the road either.

I've had both at one time or another in my rig (s). I use the HT M II as the main IC. it has decent bass, not the last word there, good tone, nice detail, and resonable resolution, while not bleaching out the color of the music.

I refer to the Magic II casually as the 'poor mans' MIT magnum. though they are quite different in some areas they are more alike than different... namely the color aspect.

Let me put it another way, I could easily go with the Magic IIs thoughout, but not the Magnums throughout, I don't think. They are too intensely revealing and reduce the vibrancy of the musical tones.

The HT Magic IIs are a better cable too than the older Is, yet both are worthwhile considerations as ICs. I found the IIs overall a better solution for me than the AZ cables for the IIs conveyed more of the venue ambience, and allowed for great detail without being strident or too 'hi fi-ish' sounding. Tjhey work well just about where ever. I loaned out my own set to a friend who has the older Is and together he felt his system got a significant shot in the arm and was well pleased with them, until he had to send them back to me. Like the Cardass neutral ref cables, I think everbody should have a set of each issued to them when they get serious about building a system as a baseline ref or last step. Depending on the means, of course.

Magic IIs work well also with tubes or SS. the price tag on the AZ & HT says it all IMHO.

the AZ MII is no where near the Magic II. price in cabling is usually quite close to it's performance level. Usually. Once you get up above the $1K mark per pair, I've found things simply are different flavors.

The one thing not all cables do is the bottom end... really well.

It's funny you should say the MIT Mag 1 wasn't as deep a sound stage as is the Magic II. I felt they were about the same... the Magnum merely have more of everthing than the Magics.... save for the color in the tones.

My Magic II is also as my main IC. I had been using my sub with the Dodd monos until the Butler arrived... there was now little need if any. Consequently I used also a pair of Y cables with which to supply both the amp & sub... OK. no using the sub, I thought to disconnect the little 3-4 inch y's and eliminate them completely.

The diff was not subtle. Whoa! The little ys were very much drying out the sound and affecting both resolution and details.

Another cable which I've found to be just fantastic is my SR Resolution Reference x2 active shielded cables.

I find them besting the Magic Iis in sound stage representation, bass sound field size. Images too are as or more stable. Again, they sold orig for $1250 per set... vs the 800 for the Magic IIs. So there is that.

The thing is they don't mate well with the Nirvana SX Ltds. Lovely. So I gotta sell them so I can do something else... like get another MIT Mag. lol. or a new to me, PC like another Elrod or something.

Glad things are working out for ya man.

if by that you're pointing to HT squeaker cables, No.

I am considering moving my power train into my listening room, and for that I'll need some new ones. I use the SR Sig 10 active x2 version now.

I've found, as previously mentioned, SR had been an outstanding value and performance cable co until they began the system dependant approach with the Tesla line up.

natuarlly I don't tell any of my cables if they've been outdated. their signatures remain in tact and their ego's aren't severely bruised that way.... and oh, yeah, I get to have more fun and spend way less than jumpin' on the What's new? band wagon.

I will be seeking out something akin to what I've expereienced so far and maybe somethign entirely different, however at this stage I've been liking the idea of acquiring a bit more of the Nirvana SX influence... and they are atop my list for squeaker wires. But they're OMG! EXPENSIVE. i'M ALSO THINKING MAYBE jps... and HT.

We'll see... pretty much all of the wires which have impacted me and some which I almost bought are posted into my A'gon reviews.

Tried both the SL & the SX. Two different worlds. I think the SL are made for those rigs that aren't terribly afixed to the idea of great sound. They can take off the edges and ease up the too bright highs... like #80 sandpaper. you'll definitely wind up with a smooth sounding reproduction. they were too smooooth for me. The SX are another story entirely!

I think the key in spkr wires is finding some which add or subtract nothing or very, very little. I also like the idea of keeping with the same brand along the path as is poosible. Power cables too. For a long while I had Voodoo and then Shunyata... now it's more Shuyata & Elrod. Another one of each is perhaps on my horizon. So depending on which ic I use to upgrade the Magic IIs, may indicate which brands of spkr wires I'll go with, as they'll be of the same brand as either IC.

'course... this is highly speculative, and who knows what will be 'to me' next. I'm leaning towards the Oppo BDP... then wires.

Currently I'm getting up the gumption to attack some fiberglass & mineral wool to DIY some traps. yeech.

Good for you Pops

Does HT make a Magic spkr cable?

SX = $2500 for 8ft or less is a hunk for me. Plus, at least two ded ckts have to be tapped onto and new outlets reaportioned. Another stand for the preamp is needed too. There might be something I've overlooked too.... so the upcoming squeaker wires addition is a ways off... unless I simply add a lengthy supply cord to the RSA Haley plc and use only one ded ckt for pre & amps.

Like the Wicked witch of the West said, "Waht a world... What a world." as she melted away.

Oh, and there's that BDP 83 Xmas gift to myself and a new full on high end bed too! I need a new bed badly!

Pops thx

By the time I get a 'round-to-it' wires might be either replaced by new tech, or just outright illegal... and I need biwires or jumpers..

There's a review online by a fella who calls himself Levi I believe, for Enjoy the Music? who writes about the Magic II, and the Silver ref II, perhaps that will get you closer to the truth.

I think there's more to it than just the cabling though... all I heard from many others was the Silver Refs were better in the II version, than before but could sound bright in the wrong system.

It could have something to do with it like Raul said too.. the amount of silver vs. copper, but I'm not sure. I feel brightness might be too much of a good thing, or perhaps not enough in other areas below the top end being promoted and thus the highs are noticed more and become edgy or don't blend well enough into the mix.

I've had all silver over copper cables and some outright silver and they weren't bright. I do prefer a mix of the two, but I'll seldom ask for it and just try the cable as there are so many other variables than just the mixture... connectors, impedance matching... resistance, etc.

My Nirvana SX is a very smooth wire, yet has superb detail and venue retreval. My Magic II follows it as the pre to amp IC.

As I use a preamp, I have other sources with different cables on them, and the Magic does well with all of them and I don't feel I'm losing anything. For the $$$ preowned, I think they do a great job in my rig, with my ears.

I'm sure there are equals and or betters out there... I just haven't found them yet.. and I'm not in the mood to hunt them up right now... so that says something I suppose.

Of course, all these cables are mighty popular so if you got one and didn't like it you could pretty easily sell it again.