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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
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,859 posts
 

@fanotunes thank you for posting the photos. 
If I may suggest… move speakers closer together. They seem to be spread apart a bit much. Unless it’s just a camera angle. 
I would start with 84-86” between centers of woofers. Moving speakers closer together should add weight and body to bass and mids and mitigate some glare in the highs. You can experiment with this at no cost. See if it changes the presentation. 

fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
49 posts
 

@audphile1 Well, you are correct in that the speakers are pushing 120” apart from center to center of the woofers. But to set the speakers 86” apart would mean I would have to set the speakers within a very few inches of either side the stereo cabinet and certainly immediately in front of the windows…

Truth be told, the room is small and the speakers are too large for the room. I need to trade my Harbeth 40.1’s in for 30’s. I just really like the woody organic sound of my 40’s…
 

I will experiment with placement some more, though.

hjdca's avatar
hjdca
245 posts
 

@fanotunes 

I would look at construction and materials more than brand.  For example, my experience with interconnects is that OCC copper sounds more detailed and better sound stage than OFC copper.   So, no matter what the brand, I believe OCC copper is a sonic upgrade over OFC copper. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,859 posts
 

Even 92” center to center will help solve your problem. I was suggesting 84-86” as a starting point. Then spread them apart until you reach the best compromise. 
And don’t worry about the windows.
As it stands now, you have a problem no cable can solve. 

foggyus91's avatar
foggyus91
612 posts
 

Lots of change going on here, may need to back up a bit, stop throwing cables at this mess and look at your setup. Go back to your base setup and work slowly forward. I do not think the issue is cables. SYNERGY... 

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