Revisiting the Kimber KCAG


I've been using RCA KCAGs between my preamp and amp for about 15 years. I've tried many other ICs (in approximately the same price range or lower) including Siltech, XLO, Cardas, Staightwire, and some of the internet-only jobs like Oritek, Signal Cable, and Guerilla. Some worked well in my system (I kept those), others not, but what I keep hearing is how incredibly transparent the KCAG cables are (in my system). Do they do everything perfectly? No. With some music you can hear juuuust a little bit of hardness in the mids, and the soundtsgae is not as big as with some other cables.

What I would like to hear from the gang here is whether there are any other cables in this price range (or maybe a bit more) that have the same information retrieval, speed, and transparency (while still remaining very musical) as these classic cables... and maybe improve a bit on those areas where the KCAG may be a little weak. At this point I can work with either RCA or XLR.
tonyptony

Showing 6 responses by tonyptony

Yeah, I suspect that will happen, Steve. I guess what I'm looking for is a better KCAG. Did you have the Kimbers when you moved to the Chimeras?
Chris, since you had the Kimbers, can you tell me what it was about them (in your system) that made you hold on to them, and then what in particular about the Au24 caused you to replace them?
The Au24 reviews read like they might do what I need. Your advice about getting a pair here on the 'gon is good, Chris.

I wonder how something like the AZ Silver Reference II would work? The reviews for this IC sounds like it has similar characteristics.
Overhang, does your audio memory go back far enough to remember why the Straightwires were better than the KCAGs? What was your system like at the time?
Well, I've heard the 1010 (a little too warm in my system), and I can't afford the 1030, even used. I was hoping to find something no more than about $500/m used.
Well, I'm currently trying Acoustic Zen Silver Reference cables, and I have to say so far they sound pretty good in my system. They seem to be as transparent as the KCAGs, but with much better space. Definitely better from the mids to the low end. But they're not making a significant shift in the "way" my system sounds (that's meant to be a good thing).