With the usual system-dependence disclaimer, I own a couple of your interests. On the IC side, I presently have AZ Silver Ref 1, Audience AU24, Fadel IC15S, Quattro-fil and Argent. In my SS system w/ Talon Khorus/Gamut D200 the Quattros (cryo'd) fit the bill. More blackness, detail and separation of instruments with uncanny placement of performers. But you know this as you're using them. The The AZs are smoother, and richer in the mids, but more smeared than the Nordost. Same with the Fadel to a lesser extent, with a great sence of ambience, but somewhat veiled. The Audience is amazing for the price but doesn't do anything quite as well as the others. Very balanced presentation but nothing outstanding. If I was to spend the money, I'd love to try the Valhallas, but afraid I'd like them too much. No cable should cost that much (my wife would commit me).
On the speaker side I've used AZ Satori, AP Silver, Talon protoptype (which matched with the Khorus' quite well), HT Pro 9, Magnan and Marigo and finally settled on the Wireworld Silver Eclipse III, at a substantial cost increase (but bought used). The Wireworlds provided astonishing dimensionality while balancing detail and harmonic richness better than the others, The Satori is a best buy however, and I'd like to also hear Shunyata, SPM and Audience.
At the power side, I have a BMI Shark feeding an AudioMagic Stealth, with Electraglide Fatman 2K on the amp and BMI Whale Elite on the CD. Didn't expect a great improvement going into the Stealth, but the Shark creates an amazingly black background from which the performers just jump out. Probably finished here.
When I stand back and look objectively, I think I have too much $$ in cables already. Would I do it again...probably. Hopefully satisfied for a while, but who knows what great discoveries lay in hiding.
On the speaker side I've used AZ Satori, AP Silver, Talon protoptype (which matched with the Khorus' quite well), HT Pro 9, Magnan and Marigo and finally settled on the Wireworld Silver Eclipse III, at a substantial cost increase (but bought used). The Wireworlds provided astonishing dimensionality while balancing detail and harmonic richness better than the others, The Satori is a best buy however, and I'd like to also hear Shunyata, SPM and Audience.
At the power side, I have a BMI Shark feeding an AudioMagic Stealth, with Electraglide Fatman 2K on the amp and BMI Whale Elite on the CD. Didn't expect a great improvement going into the Stealth, but the Shark creates an amazingly black background from which the performers just jump out. Probably finished here.
When I stand back and look objectively, I think I have too much $$ in cables already. Would I do it again...probably. Hopefully satisfied for a while, but who knows what great discoveries lay in hiding.