Cables that are more enhanced than Acoustic Zen


I am needing to go into a biamp situation (solid state for woofers) and two sets for the top end - using a zero speltz impedance box in the chain (mid and highs - otl mono block tube amps) Since my current speaker wires are Acoustic Zen Satori shotgun bi-wires I will unfortunately need to move on and completely redo my speaker cables in my system.I might look at interconnects at the same time for addtional system synergy,

I've done a bit of reading in old threads but feel a new post for my current bi-amp situation would be appropriate

I really like the strengths of the Acoustic Zen speaker cables - I also have the original Matrix IIs. Tonally balanced - revealing yet warm, dynamic, good seperation of instruments and great soundstage both width and depth.

I play upright bass so reproducing the warm tones inherant to the instrument is critical

Some have said that Acoustic Zen sound a little grainy - I've heard elements of that on the interconnects, and swapped them out for Straightwire Crescendos, Purist Audio Aqueous 50th. The Crescendos may be just slightly veiled (very subtle) the PAD are very dark and lack a little dynamics but are tonally balanced (I hear their more expensive cables are not dark and lacking)

I haven't tried anything higher up the Acoustic Zen line. I usually stay away from silver - I am very sensitive to bright high freqencies (a few concussions along the way) -I have 16+k hearing. I've had Cardas golden cross but it wasn't dynamic enough and too warm.

Cables suggested were morrow, higher level pad,
The Nordost I've heard I didn't like. Clear Day I have never heard of. Anticables I didn't care for.

My equipment Galibrier Gavia (currently triplanar wiring), Doshi Aalap Preamp, audio research cd2, atma sphere ma-1 tube mono blocks to speltz zeros impedance converter, qsc bass amp, and Salk Soundscape 10 speakers,

What cables would you recommend that wouldn't be incredibly expensive and have a tonally balanced sound leaning to the warm side with great dynamics and soundstage?

I would need 10 ft runs to the bass drivers. Should I go shorter on the top end, and small lengths on the "jumpers" from the zeros to the speakers?

Morrow SP5's sound interesting

Anyone went from Acoustic Zen to another cable? Or higher up the AZ line?

Would like to stay under $1000 on a 10' pair
unless the next step up is jaw dropping
Obviously broken in used would be nice

Thanks

Tom
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Showing 7 responses by audiotomb

Jburidan. - good point on having AZ reterminate the speaker wire.

Barry - nice system. Tri amping
I was looking at the Pass crossover but decided to get a volume adjusted solid state power amp for the woofers instead.

Nice to hear someone with an extensive system using AZ. I bet your Maggies purr.

Wow, that Audio Dhrama cable cooker isn't cheap. It's that good?
Jburidan. - good point on having AZ reterminate the speaker wire.

Barry - nice system. Tri amping
I was looking at the Pass crossover but decided to get a volume adjusted solid state power amp for the woofers instead.

Nice to hear someone with an extensive system using AZ. I bet your Maggies purr.

Wow, that Audio Dhrama cable cooker isn't cheap. It's that good?
It's reassuring to hear that many others like the AZ sound
Soix - I actually have Matrix 1 and Matrix II and you are right, the 1s are warmer - a great sound.

Tom 6897 - were the Morrows slightly better or a real eye opener? Are they slightly warm and full bodied like the AZ?

Jafant - I won StaightWire Crescendo - a very nice interconnect.

I was considering the Morrow SP5s and MA5s from all the posts I have read here. Is there an ideal tipping point in their line?: They have a trial period so what is there to lose.

THe $1000 was a max, the PAD stuff gets pretty expensive
Reterminating and trying out some other cables seems more reasonable

keep the insights coming
Al

Good point on wiring up the amps and seeing the differences

The woofers are rolled off at 39 hz so hopefully it won't be a big issue

Anyone used Clear Day speaker wires?
AL

sorry I left off a decimal place
390 hz roll off

I wish speaker wire prices would leave off a decimal place
$500 would go a long way
the cable company is suggesting Cardas Clear Light

I had Cardas Cross or Golden Cross 10 years ago and I thought it was too warm, over bloomed in the midrange and lacked dynamics

they told me the pad venustas wouldn't be my cup of tea if I found the Aqueous Anniversary dark

5% is a lot to put down especially if you end up being stuck paying close to retail

I know, you must have it in the system to fully evaluate it's synergy

I thought about the 60 day trial cables like Morrow or Clear Day but I hate to sample in not fully good faith and with the very limited time the cable company gives you, that's feels like speed dating

also any Audio Dharma cable cooker converts? I'd be interested in your comments
doing a little research and contacting members
I went with Crimson speaker cables made in the UK and distributed by Austin HiFi.

I heard nothing but great things about the Crimson calbles
Creston at Austin HiFi is great to deal with

looking forward to the evaluation
from what I've read these are incredibly resolving, tonally balanced, no grain or cable "signature".

the break in is much faster than some other cables I was looking at in the general price / sonic range

thanks for your insights

will report back in with mine