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Need to finally replace my 8TC, but with what?

I've been a happy user of 8TCs in my system for going on at least 15 years now. I occasionally have had other speaker cables in my system, and when I picked the 8TC back then I had tried a whole bunch. Like many of the reviews, I found the 8TC to provide a natural, seamless, spacious quality that kept me very pleased for quite a while.

Well, time marches on, and I need help replacing these. I had great luck here in the past getting recommendations for ICs, so I'm hoping anyone out there familiar with Shahinian Diapasons (not many, I know) can help again.

As good as the 8TCs are, they have a soft quality in the upper bass through the extreme low end that reduces the transparency and articulation in that range. Truth be told, that sense of needing a slight wiping with Windex exists across the whole range, although it is most apparent in the bass region.

My speakers are bi-wired, and I had a chance to try Goertz Alpha Cores on the bottom and top. The improvement in clarity and articulation when connected to the low end was obvious and immediate, but it was a poor match for the tops.

Since the Diapasons are bi-wired, and I do not want to get into mixing and matching different cables top to bottom, I need something that is like 8TCs run through a 93% alcohol scrub. Same spaciousness and musicality but more transparent, articulate, and incisive. Moderate price point makes it better.
tonyptony

Showing 5 responses by tonyptony

tonyptony OP
613 posts
 
Thanks so far for all the responses. Aggielaw, I have heard good things about the Reality Cables. What speakers and amp were you using them with at the time?

I was searching around on AA about this and found more than one person indicating that 1) the new white/clear Kimbers are supposed to improve over the old ones in just this area, and 2) the 4TC with 4TC shotgunned to my lower cabinet should also greatly improve in these areas over 8TC in the same configuration. I do like the fundamental qualities of the Kimbers very much. This may also be an option for me.

Lears, I used the PR before the TC. In my system it did not work as well.
tonyptony OP
613 posts
 
Ah, good point Pmotz. I had forgotten about the Zobel issue for the Goertz. I use a FetValve Ultra to drive my speakers. Not sure if there would be any issue with this amp and these cables.
tonyptony OP
613 posts
 
Thanks Fritz. The Monocles are a little pricey for me right now. Maybe I'll have to see if I can find any used.
tonyptony OP
613 posts
 
Thanks Johnny. I'm still weighing my options, but if I can get some of the newer TC (used) at a good price I might give it a shot. If it doesn't work out I'll be able to resell them with little (if any) loss on the deal. I think there's a good reason why the TC design has been around for 20 years or so now. It does a great job at making music, IMHO.

The PS Audio cable reminded me of the experiments my audiophool friends and I tried in the 80s. We borrowed every high end cable we could get our hands on and tried to make every wacky design we could think of (we almost all worked for the same electronics design company). One of the guys at work found out they were disposing of heavy duty arc welding cable. It had to be 0000 at least. Weighed a ton. We figured out how to put spades on it and use it as speaker cable. It wasn't as good as we'd hoped, and just trying to route it through my living room was a laugh. :-)
tonyptony OP
613 posts
 
Thanks Jay. I've actually tried Anti-cables in the past and I have to admit they are pretty good. They just didn't work in my system the way my speakers are placed in the room. Got in the way of things.
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