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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
rsmith73
47 posts
 

I have the Ref5SE myself and I use Transparent Ultra all through my all analog system.  Cardas was too warm for my system.  Transparent Gen 6 is transparent!

vinylshadow
556 posts
 

Townshend Audio F-1 Fractal interconnects. Best bang for the buck and they are neutral and excellent. 

salc
46 posts
 

I've been using the Cardas Clear Cygnus on my Arc ref6.  I like them a lot. Provides a neutral presentation.  Slightly warm.  Warm cables I have up front from DAC maintain an organic soud, Cygnus provides transparency and detail.  I plan to try up front the cardas reflection vs my Kubala fascination for more clarity. The Cygnus are not recessed sounding, but slightly up front just behind the speakers.  FYI My amp is the Pass x380.8.  Pass has its own house sound.  A analytical sounding amp may not be a good match with Cygnus.  Happy hunting 

 

roadcykler
335 posts
 

Cables make no objective difference in how a system sounds. You're fooling yourself and it's costing you money needlessly.

fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
49 posts
 

Definitely agree with you, Audphile1, regarding the Synergistic Excite. Definitely not a coherent presentation there as some bits seem to be dropped in from nowhere  as an afterthought. The air around the vocals at the beginning of Roxy Music Avalon, and the orchestral back up on Neil Young Harvest sound weird and not a part of the whole. There was more detail, but even parts of Allman Brothers Eat A Peach seemed picked apart, disjointed.

Listening to Cardas Clear now. Pulled the Synergistic Excite and installed the Cardas last night. Definitely a more coherent sound. Though the vocals at the beginning of Avalon still seem a bit disjointed. Big thing here is that definitely left feeling like I am listening to cables and what may be the Cardas house sound? Everything seems rounded off, filtered, ... rather like I'm drinking good bourbon from a styrofoam cup. Will give them another day or two as just added them to the system.

See several have mentioned Transparent. I may have to try them again and actually have a several year old piece of Ultra in my closet, far from the current model. I don't remember what they sounded like...Only that I chose the WyWire Diamonds over them quite a few years ago and that the nearest Audio Research dealer recommended Transparent at the time but is a total stuck up jerk and I wouldn't have bought cables from him... if only to spite him!

I have had the Shunyata Alphas in my analog line up for over a week now. Audphile1 used the term 'cool' when describing them earlier. Perhaps that's it. They have not had the presence, immediacy, detail, air I had been accustomed to with the Wywire and my LS 16. I'm going to drop them in my digital line up after the Cardas have had their chance. I'm hoping the used piece of Nordost Valahalla 1 will show up soon.

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