I too recently inserted Ric's speaker cables and IC into my system. These cables replaced the excellent Nordost Quattro Fil and Kimber 8TC. Granted, the 8TC is considered a middle of the road speaker cable, but I think most would agree that it provides good value for the money, and is used by many Agoners. The Quattro Fil is of course very highly regarded.
I was told to give the speaker cable at least 15 hrs break-in before making any judgements on it's performance. Fifteen seconds was all it took. Right out of the box it was apparent that they were clearly more articulate, tonally balanced and surprisingly sweeter than the 8TC. I say surprisingly because I've always heard that silver cables can have a tendency to be slightly bright. Not these. The sibilance I heard with the 8TC's, particularly on Patricia Barber's "Companion", where she must have had her lips right on the mic during this live recording, were noticeably less pronounced. Yet tiny little crowd noises that were picked up on the live recording were suddenly more apparent. Not so much as to make them distracting, but enough to let you know that these cables are letting all that's on the cd come through. Overall I would describe these speaker cables as neutral, transparent and tonally well balanced. No portion of the frequency spectrum is highlighted. This makes for very involving and non-fatiguing listening. I noticed that once I set the volume level, I didn't want or need to frequently adjust it. I believe that's because of the tonal balance.
The interconnect is even more amazing. Where the speaker cables pretty much get out of the way without adding any character of their own, the IC's seem to take everything to a higher level. Voices that were well rendered with the Quattro Fil take on a more immediate and engaging character with Ric Cummin's IC. They seem to provide a slightly more forward perspective than the QF, without overdone spotlighting. If you like sitting a few rows closer to the stage, depending on your present IC, this one can provide that. At least compared to the Quattro Fil. The soundstage took on more depth, with images now actually floating in front of the speakers as well as behind. I had never experienced this in my system before. I guess that's what they mean by holographic. I could hear instruments more clearly behind the vocal plane. Maybe that's what gives the impression of sitting a few rows closer to the stage. It's really providing added depth that just gives that illusion.
When the two cables are used together, it's pure synergy. All the benefits of articulation, resolution, harmonic richness and musicality, without any of the brightness, edginess or unnatural etching silver cables can sometimes bestow.
If you're in the market to replace your current cables, I strongly suggest you contact Ric Cummins. His website is www.roomlens.com. Ric is extremely personable and obviously a gifted designer/manufacturer. He'll be happy to discuss your needs and provide you with what I consider some of the best values in cables today. I don't work for Ric. I just own and enjoy his products. After you've tried them, I bet you will too.
I was told to give the speaker cable at least 15 hrs break-in before making any judgements on it's performance. Fifteen seconds was all it took. Right out of the box it was apparent that they were clearly more articulate, tonally balanced and surprisingly sweeter than the 8TC. I say surprisingly because I've always heard that silver cables can have a tendency to be slightly bright. Not these. The sibilance I heard with the 8TC's, particularly on Patricia Barber's "Companion", where she must have had her lips right on the mic during this live recording, were noticeably less pronounced. Yet tiny little crowd noises that were picked up on the live recording were suddenly more apparent. Not so much as to make them distracting, but enough to let you know that these cables are letting all that's on the cd come through. Overall I would describe these speaker cables as neutral, transparent and tonally well balanced. No portion of the frequency spectrum is highlighted. This makes for very involving and non-fatiguing listening. I noticed that once I set the volume level, I didn't want or need to frequently adjust it. I believe that's because of the tonal balance.
The interconnect is even more amazing. Where the speaker cables pretty much get out of the way without adding any character of their own, the IC's seem to take everything to a higher level. Voices that were well rendered with the Quattro Fil take on a more immediate and engaging character with Ric Cummin's IC. They seem to provide a slightly more forward perspective than the QF, without overdone spotlighting. If you like sitting a few rows closer to the stage, depending on your present IC, this one can provide that. At least compared to the Quattro Fil. The soundstage took on more depth, with images now actually floating in front of the speakers as well as behind. I had never experienced this in my system before. I guess that's what they mean by holographic. I could hear instruments more clearly behind the vocal plane. Maybe that's what gives the impression of sitting a few rows closer to the stage. It's really providing added depth that just gives that illusion.
When the two cables are used together, it's pure synergy. All the benefits of articulation, resolution, harmonic richness and musicality, without any of the brightness, edginess or unnatural etching silver cables can sometimes bestow.
If you're in the market to replace your current cables, I strongly suggest you contact Ric Cummins. His website is www.roomlens.com. Ric is extremely personable and obviously a gifted designer/manufacturer. He'll be happy to discuss your needs and provide you with what I consider some of the best values in cables today. I don't work for Ric. I just own and enjoy his products. After you've tried them, I bet you will too.