Thanks for the replies. I picked up the Cross as well as MAC Mystics. I like the MAC the best among the 3.
The Cross is certainly smooth, but a little TOO smooth - perhaps a bit veiled/smeared - and I found the bass to be boomy compared to the other 2. Although the midrange/vocals had a particularly airy quality to them, they just weren't as focused as with the others.
The Silver Streaks are very clear and detailed, but again a little hard and edgy. I guess that's the signature of silver.
The MAC is somewhere in the middle. It is also smooth, but in a different way than the Cross. Each instrument and voice is better defined, and each instrument and voice has a smooth and warm-ish quality whereas with the Cross the stage as a whole is smooth and warm. I think this gives the Cross a "bigger" sound/sound stage, but the Mystics are definitely more controlled and balanced. Bass is much cleaner with the MACs; I can say that with certainty.
This has gotten me very interested in other MAC products given their great prices here. But, there is a whole wide world of cable companies out there so the quest continues.
JPS Labs is interesting as their sound seems like a match for me, from what I've read, and they are purportedly used internally in the Usher BE-718, which is my next speaker. Think I'll try the Superconductor 3 after the MAC reference IC.
I will also give the Ridge Street Audio Midnight Silver a whirl if I can find a 2nd hand pair.
The Cross is certainly smooth, but a little TOO smooth - perhaps a bit veiled/smeared - and I found the bass to be boomy compared to the other 2. Although the midrange/vocals had a particularly airy quality to them, they just weren't as focused as with the others.
The Silver Streaks are very clear and detailed, but again a little hard and edgy. I guess that's the signature of silver.
The MAC is somewhere in the middle. It is also smooth, but in a different way than the Cross. Each instrument and voice is better defined, and each instrument and voice has a smooth and warm-ish quality whereas with the Cross the stage as a whole is smooth and warm. I think this gives the Cross a "bigger" sound/sound stage, but the Mystics are definitely more controlled and balanced. Bass is much cleaner with the MACs; I can say that with certainty.
This has gotten me very interested in other MAC products given their great prices here. But, there is a whole wide world of cable companies out there so the quest continues.
JPS Labs is interesting as their sound seems like a match for me, from what I've read, and they are purportedly used internally in the Usher BE-718, which is my next speaker. Think I'll try the Superconductor 3 after the MAC reference IC.
I will also give the Ridge Street Audio Midnight Silver a whirl if I can find a 2nd hand pair.