Al, I had actually started this thread before our recent conversation referenced to an original one going back about a year and one half ago. After some thought inspired by you and the several here, I've decided to take a serious look at replacing my present system with tube based gear and revisiting the issue of cables after a decision is made. I will, then initiate a new thread today soliciting advice on how best to approach this.
Cables best suited to electrostatic speakers
I've been active in this hobby for over 55 years and have never understood how the choice of speaker cables and interconnects might be significant factors in optimizing my various systems. I simply bought relatively expensive wires thinking that they must be OK if "audiophiles" are using them. Because others much more studied than I have such strong and diverse thinking on the subject, though, I thought I should try to educate myself further.
This comes up because I recently made some changes to my setup and am having some difficulty adjusting my hearing to them. Because they are several the variables are many. I've used Martin Logan and Magnepan for most of my listening career having very recently replaced Martin Logan Odysseys that I've used since new about 14 years ago, with ML Ethos speakers. Because these seem to be somewhat more sensitive to what's going on upstream, it's the change that I need the most help with.
My present system consists of Shanling CD100 CD player, Peachtree Nova as preamp, two DBX1531 equalizers, Peachtree 220 amp, Silversonic T-14 cable terminated at both ends with bananas and Martin Logan Ethos speakers. As most, I want detail and timbre without brightness. Because of age related hearing issues I recently added the equalizers for a relative boost in those frequencies above 3500 Hz; this has worked out nicely, btw.
I don't know if this is at all relative to the issue but I seem to have a particular sensitivity to frequencies in the area of 1400 Hz, especially when originating from a percussive instrument like piano, corresponding to the approximate frequency of my tinnitus. One of my concerns is that my hearing may be degraded to the point that modifications that result in subtle changes may be beyond my ability to detect them and any improvement that I can hear might only be psychological.
So, the bottom line goes to the subject of this thread; could it be that one type of cable configuration or material is best suited to electrostatic panels? It seems to me that there shouldn't be but, as I said, till now, I've paid no serious attention to cables in general.
This comes up because I recently made some changes to my setup and am having some difficulty adjusting my hearing to them. Because they are several the variables are many. I've used Martin Logan and Magnepan for most of my listening career having very recently replaced Martin Logan Odysseys that I've used since new about 14 years ago, with ML Ethos speakers. Because these seem to be somewhat more sensitive to what's going on upstream, it's the change that I need the most help with.
My present system consists of Shanling CD100 CD player, Peachtree Nova as preamp, two DBX1531 equalizers, Peachtree 220 amp, Silversonic T-14 cable terminated at both ends with bananas and Martin Logan Ethos speakers. As most, I want detail and timbre without brightness. Because of age related hearing issues I recently added the equalizers for a relative boost in those frequencies above 3500 Hz; this has worked out nicely, btw.
I don't know if this is at all relative to the issue but I seem to have a particular sensitivity to frequencies in the area of 1400 Hz, especially when originating from a percussive instrument like piano, corresponding to the approximate frequency of my tinnitus. One of my concerns is that my hearing may be degraded to the point that modifications that result in subtle changes may be beyond my ability to detect them and any improvement that I can hear might only be psychological.
So, the bottom line goes to the subject of this thread; could it be that one type of cable configuration or material is best suited to electrostatic panels? It seems to me that there shouldn't be but, as I said, till now, I've paid no serious attention to cables in general.