Sub Cable Effect


I've recently had a pair of relatively inexpensive IC's constructed for my single Rhythmic sub. These cables replace a pair of cheap Monster sub cables that I purchased for the initial placement of the sub. Cables run from amp pre-out with no return.

First listening sessions with these there was a noticeable increase in definition and quality of sound of the lower base. Nice, however, there was also a pronounced decrease in both the depth of the recording as well as the air or ambience about the instruments.

Technically, how is this possible when the only change is the sub cable? For discussion (if it matters) the cable is a 4-conductor, twisted quad Nirvana cable from Virtue Audio.

I've also noted the same negative aspects in the speaker cables that I've also had prepared - with a slight warming of the sound . . . not exactly to my liking; these an 8-conductor helix array.

Not giving up on them as there is always the potential that the cable's influence on the sound will change with additional 'burn-in'. And I wont' replace both at the same time in an effort to ID specific changes to the system.

I wouldn't have expected, but I prefer the Monster cable sub at this point, albeit not with that definition of the sound that this cable offers. As for the speaker cables, these are an upgrade to long runs of in-wall type HD 12 ga, 7 strand Cu . . . these have served reasonably well over time.

The system: VPI TT/Bryston CD - Plinius 9200 feeding Tyler D3M + DS12 sub.

thanks
terra3

Showing 1 response by xti16

Wow - I just replaced my stock Rel cable for the Nordost baseline cable. The amount of low bass information is nothing short of amazing. Everything got so much better. Air - ambience - depth and sound stage is a world better. I would have to agree with Shadorne that maybe the phase is off (faster or slower cable could do that). Try moving you sub (if you don't have a phase switch on the sub) closer of farther to see if that helps. I did not have to change my phase but I did re-adjust the crossover lower by 2 hz and the gain down just 1 click.

My upgrade to the baseline also makes me wonder (I hate when that happens because it never comes cheap) what a better Nordost cable may do.