I have been using Audiotruth's Opal, which I believe, is no longer available. (I don't know about you guys/gals, but I think Audioquest has gone crazy reinventing their whole line of cables) Anyway, I compared this stuff to Straightwire Maestro, TARA Labs Air 2, and Kimber's PBJ and Hero, and I find the Opal to be a very well balanced, neutral, FAST, open, almost transparent window on either side of my CJ pv11. The Air 2 was good, perhaps a hair better in terms of immediacy, but $500 per meter, whereas the Opal is (was) less than $200. The TARA LOOKS much better, it is very pretty, but come on this is wire. Not to say that their wire is inferior, however, as I have heard it sound GLORIOUS connected to an all SS setup. As far as speaker cables, you guys might laugh, but I am in love with this wierd special application cable, also made by Audioquest, called SA-40. It is solid silver version of type 4, and it is wonderful. For all those individuals out there scared to try silver cables, I warn you, If you find a well engineered one, you'll never go back to, ick, Copper.... Well, I hope this helps. My associated Equipment is: Rega Planet > AT opal > CJ pv11 > AT opal > McCormack DNA .5 > AQ SA40 > HAles Rev 3. Not too shabby, but nowhere near the top of the food chain. I think it is important to find a cable/system match, (not necessarily a "synergy") that takes price/performance relationship into account. I.E. Buy the best sounding cable you can, but dont buy a better sounding cable, unless it sounds better in YOUR system. Some cables that I have heard at the salon are glorious, but their performance can be lost on less than spectacular components. I know this sounds like a given, but I know how I can be, when in the clutches of an upgrade "jonze", at the local audio mart. Take your time. Joe
