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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
fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
49 posts
 

Thanks for reaching out.

wondering about that very thing.

and do you have an opinion regarding sigma x vs Valhalla v.1?

I’ve got Alpha to my analog and Valhalla to my cd player right now…wondering how Sigma would perform…

goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,576 posts
 

Inakustik and HiDiamond cables are similar sonically. Or at least I was told that by a distributor who carried both. I understand also that Acoustic Sensability offers a great value. I wouldn’t expect that spending more money will make much of a difference here.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,853 posts
 

I don’t see any references to the amplifier @fanotunes 

what amp are you using? What speakers?

fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
49 posts
 

Good morning!

@audphile1 my amp is a Music Reference RM200. Speakers are Harbeth 40.1.

I did hear back from Audio Research. They simply indicated my previous pre-amp, the LS16, would have a warmer/tubier sound than the Ref 5SE. They also indicated that while they have no opinion regarding one cable over another, they understand Cardas may be one to tame the brightness I refer to.

i have listened to the Valhalla 1’s. While immediately impressed, found them a bit clinical over time.

i have two pair of the Shunyata Sigma X supposedly arriving today. Hoping for less bright musical detail…?

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,853 posts
 

Shunyata will be the wrong cable to tame brightness. 
But try it. 
 

So you have a fully tubed amplification chain with Harbeth speakers and you’re fighting brightness. This is really odd. Is there any room treatments? Rugs, curtains, panels? 
Is it bright all the time or on certain recordings? You mentioned you listen to ABB. Some of their albums are recorded like crap. If it’s only a few recordings Inwou ignore the issue. You’re potentially making it worse by introducing these ruthlessly revealing cables like Nordost and Shunyata. 
 

 

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