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Interconnect suggestions for Audio Research Ref 5SE?

Recently acquired an Audio Research Ref 5SE to replace my LS-16.

Had been totally pleased with the open organic sound of WyWire Diamond interconnects with the LS-16 but find the Diamonds to be rather bright with the Ref 5SE, emphasizing the mic and the very top of female vocals.

Have reached out to thecableco.com for a few samples from their library....Shunyata Alpha, Cardas Clear,...amongst others.  I also have a pair of Nordost Valhalla 1's coming from another vendor for consideration.

Really excited about the 'grunt' and more forward sound the Ref 5SE brings to the game as it helps with presentation on the Grand Funk, Allman Bros, John Mayall, etc. I listen to...along with the acoustic, jazz, and classical....that make up my primarily vinyl collection (Audio Research Ref Phono 3, VPI Classic 4, Proteus Transfiguration)

But, so far, am missing the open organic clarity I guess the LS-16 and Wywire brought to the table. 

The Cardas and Shunyata seem a little recessed, the Nordost Frey seemed a bit recessed and analytical. They all resolve the brightness but seem to be holding back everywhere else.

I've been going back and carefully leaving the various cables in place for at least a few days...

looking for suggestions... Kind regards, and thank you in advance!

fanotunes
ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,485 posts
 

I have all Audio Research Reference components (like many others) I use Transparent. For Audio Research the tonal balance is very carefully balanced and you don’t want to change it a bit... so to keep that fidelity and lower the noise floor you want very good quality transparent interconnects and power cords. Transparent Generation 6... I use Ultra which are about the right cost performance for these level components. 

fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
49 posts
 

Less open, less air, less presence, less immediacy, less sense of space?

should also mention am dropping the cables in with new to me esoteric K-03XD as well.

and have been trying to allow the cables to settle in while feeding digital radio thru them via LUMIN U1/Esoteric K-03XD.

Thank you for your help here!

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,028 posts
 

So there were two changes - LS16 to Ref5SE and you added a cd player. 
I owned LS16 a while ago. Very good preamp but Ref should be a lot better. 
You voiced your system to LS-16 with your vinyl rig. CD player will require different cables as it sounds different than your analog. 
I like Nordost Tyr 2 interconnects in mu system and used them with Ref6. Great results. But every system is different. Try several cables until you hit synergy. Also, with a major change such as your preamp upgrade it’s very possible that you need to play with speaker placement and if you haven’t done do yet, room acoustics 

soix
11,249 posts
 

Given what you said I suspect the Valhallas you have coming in may be an improvement.  Are you using XLR interconnects, and what length?

kennymacc
726 posts
 

No experience with Audio Research, but I would definitely add Audioquest Thunderbird XLR to your audition list.  You're on the right track.  Bringing in multiple wires for audition is the way to go.  I went through the same process about 4 years ago.  Happy listening.  

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