I have used many different cables through the years and have finally settled on Ensemble. Never bright or thin, always warm, rich, detailed and gorgeous. I would recommend trying a pair of their speaker cables, you won't believe the lovely sound, and they are often available used on this site. However, even brand new they are very reasonably priced, and if you don't like them, you can sell them here for about what you paid for them. Ensemble is a Swiss line of cables, power cords, and power conditioning products (they also make electronics and speakers, but I haven't heard those) that are incredible.
Recs for new speaker cable or IC
Greetings!
I am writing as I am currently at a loss. I recently upgraded my power conditioning and am happy with the quieter background and increased detail. However, my system seems to be accentuating the upper midrange, and I'm getting a little listener fatigue. Unfortunately, I also decided to change my outlet to an Eagle outlet (supposedly very good contact points). That exacerbated the problem. In response, I changed the PC to my transport (was a Marigo RMX ref C- now a Bybee pro power) and it was alleviated some , but still a little thin. Here's the systewm as it is:
Muse model 5 transport (bybee pro power cord)
Muse model 2+ DAC -connected to transport by Muse 13w3 cable- BMI Eel PC on DAC
Dac to preamp is Cardas Neutral Ref XLR
Muse model 3 preamp- LAT PC
Pre to power IC is a large gauge hand made silver cable (12 gauge) soldered with mostly silver solder (not crimped)terminated with Neutrik Pro-fi RCAs.
Power amp Aleph 2 monos (Discovery PC's on them)
Speaker cable Nordost Red Dawn
Speakers Dynaudio Contour 2 MkII
Power conditioner to power amps is Audioprism Foundation 2
Power conditioner to all other components -Bybee pro
I think the new outlet is not helping things much. I am planning to change back the outlet to the old one as soon as I can get home before dark and shut off the circuit breaker at home. That said the system was still alittle thin before switching it out. My other thought is that the culprit is either the pre to power IC or the speaker cable. Both of the cables in question are silver cables. Historically, the RD is very fast and I have never had problems with it sounding thin as many people describe it. The silver IC has been the best IC I have ever owned as far as liquidity and speed. Nonetheless, the new power conditioning has changed things. The overall changes with the Bybee are much improved, but as always at this state in the game, I am looking for that last 1%, and my system unfortunately is showing some of the weaknesses of digital and SS.
I just bought some Analysis plus oval 9 for my HT system and am trying it on the 2 channel system. It sounds a little more musical , but is lacking in the detail of the Red Dawn. It is early in the cable break in and I will surely have a better idea about the Oval 9 in a week or two. I have heard it has an extended break in.
Any thoughts on the IC between the pre and power or the Red Dawn. Any input or suggestion would be greatly appreciated. I'll take any options from a bargain to a cost-no-object alternative. Thanks in advance.
That will teach me to try and improve a system I am already very happy with....wait a minute, that's the whole purpose.
Happy listening all,
Todd
I am writing as I am currently at a loss. I recently upgraded my power conditioning and am happy with the quieter background and increased detail. However, my system seems to be accentuating the upper midrange, and I'm getting a little listener fatigue. Unfortunately, I also decided to change my outlet to an Eagle outlet (supposedly very good contact points). That exacerbated the problem. In response, I changed the PC to my transport (was a Marigo RMX ref C- now a Bybee pro power) and it was alleviated some , but still a little thin. Here's the systewm as it is:
Muse model 5 transport (bybee pro power cord)
Muse model 2+ DAC -connected to transport by Muse 13w3 cable- BMI Eel PC on DAC
Dac to preamp is Cardas Neutral Ref XLR
Muse model 3 preamp- LAT PC
Pre to power IC is a large gauge hand made silver cable (12 gauge) soldered with mostly silver solder (not crimped)terminated with Neutrik Pro-fi RCAs.
Power amp Aleph 2 monos (Discovery PC's on them)
Speaker cable Nordost Red Dawn
Speakers Dynaudio Contour 2 MkII
Power conditioner to power amps is Audioprism Foundation 2
Power conditioner to all other components -Bybee pro
I think the new outlet is not helping things much. I am planning to change back the outlet to the old one as soon as I can get home before dark and shut off the circuit breaker at home. That said the system was still alittle thin before switching it out. My other thought is that the culprit is either the pre to power IC or the speaker cable. Both of the cables in question are silver cables. Historically, the RD is very fast and I have never had problems with it sounding thin as many people describe it. The silver IC has been the best IC I have ever owned as far as liquidity and speed. Nonetheless, the new power conditioning has changed things. The overall changes with the Bybee are much improved, but as always at this state in the game, I am looking for that last 1%, and my system unfortunately is showing some of the weaknesses of digital and SS.
I just bought some Analysis plus oval 9 for my HT system and am trying it on the 2 channel system. It sounds a little more musical , but is lacking in the detail of the Red Dawn. It is early in the cable break in and I will surely have a better idea about the Oval 9 in a week or two. I have heard it has an extended break in.
Any thoughts on the IC between the pre and power or the Red Dawn. Any input or suggestion would be greatly appreciated. I'll take any options from a bargain to a cost-no-object alternative. Thanks in advance.
That will teach me to try and improve a system I am already very happy with....wait a minute, that's the whole purpose.
Happy listening all,
Todd