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Stage III Concepts Cables - Any Advice/Feedback/Thoughts is deeply appreciated.

I have a mixed loom of Stage III Concepts Cables on loan to me from a local dealer and need some help.  
There is hardly any user/owner/member/end used type of info out there so I wanted to reach out. 

Here is what I am demoing now and below is the why...

Stage III Concepts GRYPHON XLR 1.5m Interconnects   
Stage III Concepts MAGNUS 3.0m Speaker Cables
Stage III Concepts MINOTAUR 2.0m Power Cable
Stage III Concepts KRAKEN 1.5m Power Cable

Here is the why:

I received my new Magico S5 MK II Speakers 2 weeks ago upgraded from the original S5's.  
I wanted to upgrade my pre and amp but was waiting to hear my new S5 MK II's with my present gear first. 

Magico S5 MK II Speakers
Pass Labs X250.8 amp
Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 pre
Bricasti M1SE w/built in ethernet media player
SGC sonicTransporter ethernet Roon server w/Uptone Audio JS-2 LPS
Kubala-Sosna Emotion Full Loom 

I loved my new speakers and so sold both my Pass X250.8 amp and my Simaudio P8 pre.
I bought Pass Labs XA-160.8 Monoblocks and was driving them direct with my Bricasti M1SE as pre/dac.

I was happy and while looking for a pre I stumbled into a local guy that had a Soulution 530 Integrated.
I thought you know what lets try it and if I like it then I will sell or trade my Pass mono's for a pre or use 530's preouts.

To make a long story longer I put it in my system and low and behold I like the Pass amps better. Maybe not a huge surprise as Pass gear is killer but then I phoned the local Soulution dealer to pick he brain. 

He told me the Pass amps should not sound better with S5 MK II's and it was due to the match of my Kubala-Sosna cables which work great with Pass, ARC, Ayre, Krell, etc. but Soulution is a different animal and needs a different cable. .
I thought OK here we go... Here comes the big old cable sales pitch but to be fair I called him. So I listened.

He loaned me the cables I have listed above to prove what he was saying was true.

You know what happened. Low and behold he was 100% right and they blew my mind. No snake oil but real results.  

They sound insane and actually really good with my Pass amps too but the match with Soulution is breath taking...

Now I see why the Soulution amps are darn expensive. They should recommended cables like Spectral and MIT does.  

So with so little info out there I wanted to ask for you guys for any and feedback, or opinions.

It is really expensive stuff and sure there is some savings because some is former gen cables and they are demo's but still its really expensive stuff so I just was hoping I could get some more info from you folks.

Sorry for long write up but wanted to share my thoughts and my situation and ask for some help on these.

Thanks 
       





128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
jetter
2,949 posts
 
Please reread dave_b’s, stereo5’s and celander’s advice above. You asked an honest question and they provided great advice. If you have not already pulled the trigger on the amps and cables, try to do nothing for a month or two and then decide. By then something twice as good may be out, that’s how it goes.
inna
7,132 posts
 
But you will, my boy. Cost of cables and cords is about 1/3 of the total. Two pairs of interconnects were bought new, speaker cables and four power cords used. Three sources - turntable, cassette deck and cd player, which I use very rarely.
fsmithjack's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
I do definitely need to take a few weeks to decide.

Actually, one of the factors that is effecting me is the fact that the Pass needs two power cables and probably would be better with a preamp than just using my Bricasti direct. 

Retail on the Kraken PC is $10,400 which is insane but needing two of these verse just needing one is a big deal. Sure I am getting close to 60%+ off but still its a ton of money for a dang power cables...lol

So if keep the Pass I will then need pre and a couple power cables and honestly even so that would be much more in my comfort zone and in line with what I like and a choice that would be easier for me.

That said the Soulution with the expensive pc is better in my system. It just is and even my non aphile wife yes that sound much better and she can hear it but that is not with a pre and better power cables for the Pass. The Pass I am still using K/S power cables and I have learned power cables make a HUGE difference.

I always knew pc's we important and have over $10k retail into them already but never tried the really best of the best pc's and now I know. 

I think another big advantage for the Soulution is the 10,000 driver control vs 200 for the Pass. The Soulution is much more transparent and dynamic and resolute and just grabs the drivers by the throat and makes them submit. The bass is more precise and detailed but stronger and quicker the with Kraken pc. 

The Pass class a sound is much more loose and diffuse but still great in its own way and I have always loved the Pass Class A sound but it has never gone head to head with such a high resolution champ like the Soulution. It is not a bright either or cool sounding amp either. It has this sophisticated sheen to it. Not exactly warm but not cool either. It has some nice warmth as part of it. Nothing like the Pass Class A but still this sheen helps make that very high level of resolution so desirable.   


inna
7,132 posts
 
I don't think that you will settle for Pass after hearing the Soulution with right cabling. It is more likely that if you keep the Pass and sell the Soulution now you will soon sell the Pass too and will start all over again. You know what you strongly prefer, your wife agrees.
Among other things, you prefer European high class amplification.
I never heard about Soulution being compared to Pass, usually it is to other top Swiss amps and brands like Gryphon and Vitus.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Missed your question and appreciate your consideration of my comments.  Joe Abrams is a true veteran of the audio industry and will give you solid advice.  Take your time, call him and talk about all your concerns and cabling questions.  He is on audiogon.
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