Definitely alive and well, producing great products and giving customer service and support at a level that surprised me. They are very interested in helping you get the best performance from a system, to a level far beyond just worrying about their products. Much like my local dealer, they seem to want their customers to build a good, cohesive system, not just buy product.
Using a PrimaLuna PL3 Pre - PL7 amp - KEF LS50 combo. I had Kimber Hero and MIT SL6 RCA interconnects on my system along with an older set of PS Audio Prelude speaker cables (solid core Cu). My local dealer recently took on the Straightwire line and was raving about the quality and value, and I was tired of disappointing trials of not-inexpensive cables. Well, he has always been spot on in the past so I figured I would give Straightwire a try.
I replaced all the old cables with Straightwire Rhapsody speaker cables and Rhapsody and Encore RCAs and was very, very impressed at the price point...cheaper than the Kimber Hero but IMHO slightly better sound quality and much better RF noise rejection...the Kimbers were unusable with my turntable > phono pre connection because of hum and RF noise from my noisy old-neighborhood AC. The Rhapsody / Encore combo displayed very little noise on the phono circuit, getting it down to an acceptable level.
After the good initial results I moved the Rhapsody/Encore combo to my TT and contacted Straightwire to see what they recommended to get the most out of my system. Surprisingly, they took the initiative to work with my local dealer and get me simultaneous home trials of the Expressivo, Serenade, and Virtuoso RCAs so I could see if I could hear a difference on my system.
Well, did I ever. The Expressivo and Serenade interconnects are some fine kit, improved resolution over the Encore and Rhapsody for just a bit more money, but also showing some of the limitations of my Prologue 3 preamp and especially my inexpensive TT/phono pre combo.
Steven Hill, president of Straightwire, was really helpful, taking the time to explain engineering reasons on how different cables make systems sound different, and how the most expensive cables are not necessarily the best fit for a given system. This was consistent with my experience where higher end cables started to make limitations of some of my components very obvious.
I eventually upgraded to a Dialogue Premium pre, and the system really woke up and I was able to really understand what moving up the the Virtuoso R can do for a system. Noticeably better extension on the top and bottom, much better perceived stereo imaging, and just smooth, great sound.
I never thought RCA cables could make such a big difference, but I am a believer now after having the opportunity to A/B test in the home with equipment that can rise to the level of high end accessories. Most surprising is the quality of the soundstage and imaging with the Virtuoso R...depth is no longer wishful thinking.
I've kept the Virtuoso R in my digital and pre circuits, but my cheap low-end turntable the phono pre work best with the Encore and Rhapsody RCAs. I am using the digital coax now as well, true 75 ohm cable that outperformed some much more expensive digital cables in impromptu tests at the local hi-fi shop.
They have made me a loyal customer the old fashioned way with value, service, and quality.
