i can respond only to your last question. "balanced" interconnect cables are terminated with xlr male/female connecters, while "unbalanced" or "single ended" cables are terminated with male/female rca connectors. which are best for you depends upon your electronics and their placement ( i.e., distance frome one another). -cfb |
I tried the TruthLinks and found them to be far too polite, I would recommend you consider the Acoustic Zen WOWs. They have most of the sound of the Matrix reference for half their price. |
I reccomend Clarity Wires " FoxFire" its a silver hybrid and retails for $200 1 meter pair. I own a pair and really enjoy them. They were also reviewed by vacuume tube valley and they favored the Foxfire's over Kimber Kable's Silver streak. heres the link.
http://www.responseaudio.com/clarity1.htm
I highly reccomend them, and all Clarity Wires for that fact. Check them out! |
I would think with the Vandies you would really benefit from Acoustic Zen Matrix or Silver Reference. If you want more detail/snap in your system try the Silver, but either one will flesh out the midrange that will make your jaw drop. Best of luck.
Tim |
Thanks.
I forgto to mention... I have KImber PBJ now between the integrated amp and the CD player. I liked it at one time but have tired of it because I find the sound too bright - detailed but a bit harsh. |
I run AudioTruth Opal and think it is a great interconnect for the money. I would suggest you try them. If they don't work out, you can always sell them back for your money. They still sell really well....Good luck...LR |
If you are interested in silver, I highly recommend Bear Labs Silver lighting or Granite Labs Silver #470. Both are excellent and can be purchased at a significant saving from various dealers or in the case of Bear Labs directly from their web site. Feel free to email me if you have questions. |
I highly recommend VANTAGE cables. The best cables I have ever tryed. I am selling my MIT cables for VANTAGE. Try www vantageaudio.com and write too Richard, he is a very nice person and he can made exactly the cables you want copper/silver/gold you can even try them for free in 35 days. I have absolutly nothing to do with the company more than I like their cables. |
Thanks to all. I have ordered AQ Opals. WIll let you all know how they work out. |
Chander, when you get the Opal's installed in your system, drop me a line. We can make arrangements so that you can send me your PBJ's for "burning". Once they are done, i'll send them back and you can throw them back into the system. I would be curious to see how you like them as compared to the Opals and if you think that they have changed sonic characteristics at all due to "burning". Sean
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I'm pretty sure you are using unbalanced connectors with your equipment. They are the little round rca ended cables. Balanced cables use xlr connectors which have three prongs, and have a little slider lock on them.
I would buy a couple of cables used and sell off what you don't need. Cables are very system (and personality!) dependent. They do indeed make an enourmous difference. I have found them to be one of the biggest bang for the buck improvements out there.
I do recall from the FOUR vandersteen speakers I have owned that they tended to be less improved by megabuck interconnects than most. This is because they are not hyper-detailed speakers. They also tended to appreciate brighter cables which tended to offset their natural laid back character. I commonly hear people referring to audioquest silver cables, and synergistic research's as goo d matches.
Harmonic Tech's are VERY impressive in the 125 range. They would be a good match for your components because they tend to remove some of the solid state nasties. I would definitely try a set. They might be a little sweet/syrupy for the vandersteens. Another great cable is the Audio research litz which can be had for 125-150. AR's have wonderful midrange and a nice glowy sound. The DH labs cables silver cables are supposed to be very good for the price too. Quite a few people pair audioquest cables with vandersteens too. The $350 (used) AQ diamond is a good cable and would probably be a good match. Very detailed, but little harsh in some systems.
In the 200-250 range, the harmonic tech pro-silway and nordost red dawns are very good and would add detail to your system.
Good luck ! |
Chander and Sean,
I am kind of curious about the results of the burn-in experiment. If it comes off could you post your results?
Thanks,
Greg |
GPalmer, I surely will. Perhaps Sean can also do tests before and after and report. But first, I am curious as to what Sean means by "burning". I have used the PBJ's for a few years now. Wouldn't it already been burned in ? |
For your system, try out some Straightwire Virtuoso Platinum interconnects.
Well designed balanced connections should give you a quieter background, only if you use balanced connections in your entire setup and that you are running long lengths of interconnects ( 15 feet or longer ). Otherwise, any difference is subtle. |
