2. cables
  3. 1087369366

Expensive interconnects

I recently had an interesting experience regarding interconnects. My system consists of a Sony SCD 777 ES, Tandberg 3018A preamp, two Tandberg 3009A monoblocks( 180 watts each) and a Rega P25 with Micro Benz Ace moving coil cartridge. I run all the equipment through a couple of Richard Gray conditioners (400S MK 2's) I have Nordost Red Dawn interconnects between the preamp and the amps, and also between the speakers(Boston Acoustic's A200's) and the amps. However when I tried the Red Dawn interconnects between the Sony SCD 777 ES I did not like the results as much as I did with the Kimber Hero interconnects between the Sony and the preamp. I really like the Sony SCD 777 ES and the sound for me in both cd and sacd is fantastic once the machine is broken in. I figure the Kimber Hero's give the sound more body and compliment the sound of the Sony more than the Nordost cable. It could be that the ultra detailed Nordost combined with the ultra transparent detailed Sony are just too much. The lesson to be learned is to strive for synergy, and that does not come from just spending more on various equipment. It comes from putting together the right components, including interconnects. The Kimber Hero's are indeed giant killer's.

Cheers.
nocaster

Showing 1 response by bombaywalla

bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
I'm afraid that I have quite a contrarian view of the Kimber Hero interconnects. I've owned them since year 2000 & I personally think that they are a POS cable! Fat, bloated bass that sounds s-l-o-w. High freq are rolled off. The true midrange (I'm not talking about the upper midrange or lower midrange; rather the midrange midrange!) is the only freq. region that seems to be acceptable. I also own the DH Labs BL1 Series II & the VdH The First. Both cables handily beat the Kimber Hero. Anyway, the Hero is relagated to my HT setup. It could be that my components are more revealing thus they require a cable with much less/no colour of their own? I'm afraid that I do NOT think that these cables are "giant killers". F-A-R from it, in fact.

Also, on your comment to "strive for synergy" - you are headed down a path that couldn't be more wrong! If you continue to follow with air-headed philosophy you will be stepping onto a merry-go-round that will most probably leave you broke! After all the experimentation that I see in your future (unless you are iron-willed not to "upgrade" - I hope you are for your sake!) you will finally find that the most accurate system will be the most musical system. Trying to get system synergy is tantamount to hiding that component(s) flaws. When you change 1 of those components, you'll find that your system is broken & that you need to change 1 or more additional components! I.E. you need to find a new set of components that have system synergy! Can get very expensive & very disheartening & a good way to exit this audio hobby! When you buy a component that is colourless/least colour you'll find that it can stay practically forver in your system & that any other colourless component can match up to it & yet your system can/will sound musical.

I know that you didn't solicit this so if you think that this is a diatribe, ignore it. FWIW. YMMV.
More to discover