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W and M Audio Speaker cable and Interconnects

I have had a few inquiries about the W and M Speaker and Interconnect cables that I recently won (at auction) on Agon. They are a new Company, at least to be seen here (on Audiogon), and (by the photos) they have an outstanding product. I recently took the Audiogon Auction "leap of faith" and I have come away with a feeling that I was greatly rewarded for it (it has NOT "always" that way).
For the present moment, I must reserve judgment to only the areas that I am certain of. Such as:
I have had excellent communications (Via: Email) with W and M Audio (of the UK) before and after the auction. They are anxious, and dedicated to receive "Good Feedback" (in the United States) about themselves and their "Higher End" Audio products. From the start, they have been VERY good people to deal with.
The "Agon Auction" went well for me and I rec'd winning bids for both the Interconnects and the Speaker Cables. I sent my payments Via: PayPal. NOTE: A "small" snag there, but quickly fixed and documented (it was my first PayPal adventure). W and M Audio shipped the cables out immediately (from the UK) and they arrived at my door in ONE week. Outstanding time for shipment from the UK !! Packaging was First Rate and with "NO" DAMAGE" at all. The package was VERY well "labeled" (both the interconnects and speaker cables were packaged within the same box).
Opening the package revealed two very nice "presentation" boxes, fit for good jewelry (albeit "very large" jewelry). I've never been big on "fine" boxes (other than the good shipping kind). Something in a "nice box" has always made me feel a bit leery of the product itself. How-ever.. nice boxes (non-the-less, they are) and they will be great storage containers for other audio stuff at a later date.
The smell of "new" Audio cables" (or "something" new, anyway) is quite apparent when the fancy boxes are opened. The Cables are professionally packaged and they are placed in the boxes with proper care (Coiled, Wrapped and Tied very well). Little "Picture" Cards are attached with gold embossed, elastic bands that picture an "exploded" view of the cables and explanation of construction.... nice touch (I was ready to eat the cables at this point). The cables themselves (finally) looked VERY, VERY well done. Surprisingly even "BETTER" than pictured on the "Agon Auction" site (what had sucked me in in the first place). I will not go into the finer detail of material and construction. It is VERY evident in their photos (I am going to assume that all that are reading this have gawked at them with much wonder, skepticism and/or lust). They are "exceptional" in quality and nicely put together, exceeding all of my expectations (for construction). Attention to detail is first rate. All seems just about perfect, at least for all areas "NOT" involving (the main issue) "THE SOUND" (after all, "who cares "what they look like", what kind of box that they are in or what kind of card is attached, as long as they "SOUND" good ??).
This would be a (Agon Member) "Review" (of sorts) if I could just sit and "listen" to them. I cannot.
I have just acquired a pair of Genesis 400's. I am NOW on an "amp" hunt for them (2K area, possibly even an Integrated... Bel Canto, DK, Portal, on and on). I do not have an amp (at this moment) that I can use to justify the sound of this speaker/cable combination. Even to judge for a review (after I buy another amp) I must use my "old" cables as a reference (for a while) so that I may become familiar with my new (at least to me) Genny's and (whatever amp.The "Genny's" are a very nice "full" range (or close enough to it) speaker. I should be able to judge many of the qualities of of these "seemingly" fine cables at a later date.
I am in hopes that my comments will help guide those that are considering "BIDDING" on (or just purchasing) the W and M Cables. For now, they will sit on the top of one of my speakers and try in vain to tell me something. Too bad I can't hear what it is.

Best regard's,
Antonio "Tubby Tubeears"
tubeears

Showing 2 responses by tplavas

tplavas
123 posts
 
I find it interesting that they put ferrites on their interconnects. I can't think of another company that does that with analog IC's. I tried it once, and found the result to be a 'closing-down' of the soundstage, and a loss of air.
Do they have a website? I couldn't find anything with a google search except references to audiogon.
tplavas
123 posts
 
Tubears, thanks for that review. It's strange, because I've heard that strange dynamic 'pumping' from IC's before, although they didn't have ferrites on them. The Audioquest ferrites I tried years ago just seemed to shut down the very uppermost treble, thereby disassociating the harmonics that live in that range from their fundamentals. The dynamic 'pumping' I heard was from a pair of Litz wire IC's, that would appear to have nothing in common with the W&M's other than locking connectors (???). It's a strange phenomenon. It's as if the leading-edge dynamics and upper harmonics become increasingly dulled as the music drops in level, quickly fading and contracting into a woolly 'grayness' of sound. (If that sounds like complete gibberish, forgive me, but it's a hard effect to describe). If I had to guess, I'd say it's probably related to super-fine wire. But that's just a guess.
Another audio mystery...
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