Speaker Cables

[GuillaumeB]

Why would it affect anything? it's not like the transparent filter changes the frequency output of the speaker cable.

I've no idea which is why I'm asking the question. Presumably the only configurable variable in the network box is the output impedance of the amplifier? At the same time the network boxes do supposedly roll off certain frequencies to give their "sound"?

Anyway I'll try and get my hands on one of these super duper TA XL cables and report back once I've had a chance to play.

Guillaume

[Antoine]

I think this dealer might mean that for SAM a speaker get's measured and probed in many ways. Adding electric circuitry to a cable changes perhaps more beyond the more common but small R, C and L differences/variations one finds between regular fully passive loudspeaker cables. In a way speaker A with a network box might not behave the same electrically as speaker A without. These 'black boxes' must do something, else you'd be admitting to them being snake oil.

I'd say it's a perfect question for Devialet to answer would one like to buy such a cable for a SAM ready loudspeaker.

[Morten]

Why would it affect anything? it's not like the transparent filter changes the frequency output of the speaker cable.

I've no idea which is why I'm asking the question. Presumably the only configurable variable in the network box is the output impedance of the amplifier? At the same time the network boxes do supposedly roll off certain frequencies to give their "sound"?

Anyway I'll try and get my hands on one of these super duper TA XL cables and report back once I've had a chance to play.

Guillaume

Hello, I believe that the purpose of the box on the cable is to assist that all frequencies of the music arrives at the speaker at the same time, I believe that I have read that somewhere. As I understand SAM are the Devialet delaying some of the frequencies compared to others to compensate for issues/shortcomings in the crossover network in the speaker...

Just thinking, could there be a conflict?

Having said that, the music have never sounded better than now, but it may be worth to try some other speaker cables one day, just be sure that they are not doing some nasty stuff—but then again who cares if the music sounds good :-)

Br Morten

[IanG-UK]

This is a pretty inconclusive set of comments on two sets of cables, but here goes.

For months I've used cable by Soundstring, all GEN II, either special edition or standard edition. Indeed, for my power cables - my regenerators' feeds and my Devialets, Torus subwoofer amp, Cavalli headphone amp and Cyrus transport - they are a permanent fixture.

Signal cables, whether loudspeaker feed, subwoofer feed, subwoofer interconnect, transport digital or Devialet digital link, have all been Soundstring too, unchanged for six months I guess, apart from a brief trial with Sablon (power and signal) which was unconvincing.

These Soundstring cables get little exposure, probably because the prices are modest and so the margins might be unappealing for US dealers, but reviews this year give strong recommendations:

http://test.soundstringcable.com/documen...review.pdf

http://www.soundstringcable.com/images/p...review.pdf

http://www.soundstringcable.com/document...ne2014.pdf

A power cable is around £200 for 1m; stereo interconnect is similar; digital is around £100; and loudspeaker just over £200 for 3m stereo or £150 for 1m subwoofer (2013 prices - luckily one gets direct from the USA manufacturer). The cables are copper, burned in by the manufacturer, but not cryogenically treated.

Anyway (perhaps to dissuade me from buying others) I have now gone over to my second set of cables, for signal only, by Missing Link, all Link Cryo Reference. These cables are silver, not burned in by the manufacturer, but cryogenically treated.

Stereo interconnect is around £400 for 1m; digital is around £250; and loudspeaker around £2,500 for 3m stereo or £750 for 1m subwoofer.

Reviews are even sparser than for Soundstring ...

http://www.the-missing-link.net/wpe55.jpg

http://www.the-missing-link.net/wpe56.jpg

Of course, going through a rewiring exercise, with every connection "Tweeked" or "Caiged", proves to be a 90 minute job, and so the resulting sound is so difficult to compare with what went before. And, if there is any substance to burn-in, that process might be needed again for cables unused for a few months.

The problem with the Devialet is that each time one turns it on, the sound is a nice surprise. As it was with the Missing Link cables, full of detail, space and imagery.

I can just say that both Soundstring and Missing Link are worth a try - especially if you don't want to explore Transparent prices which appear to be around £2k i/c and £5.5k l/s for the Reference and £9k i/c and £28k l/s for the new Opus.

[marcbrown]

Yep I currently have Nordost Frey 2s but I've tried both Transparent Super MM2 and Reference MM2 with my Devialet and both the networked cables sound great, absolutely no problem with Devialet at all.

As for what Devialet themselves use they've been very tight-lipped about that and probably for good reason.

Since you stay with the Nordost, I guess the Transparent didn't complement your Devialet any better.

Earlier this year I tried some Reference MM2s which were tuned for my speakers and other amp. Nice sound, but I didn't feel they were worth the asking price.

When I tested my Devialet 200 with my Sophia III speakers I had Transparent reference, Cardas Clear and Nordost Tyr2 speaker cables to sort out which I preferred. After 2 weeks I bought the Nordost. The Cardas would be helpful if my system was slightly bright. The Transparent was a close 2nd. I much like and enjoy the Tyr2.

[bobertk]

Very interesting debate.

Just to put things into context a friend of mine is a sound engineer in a trendy central london recording studio. He's worked with lots of big names and has produced lots of critically acclaimed stuff. Sorry can't remember the details off the top of my head.

We often have fun on the subject of audiophile equipment. Just to summarise his position - he thinks we are all mad. He reckons that room acoustics are more important than speakers and tells me that he (and others!) produce using the cheapest wires and equipment (and many sound engineers have terrible hearing! ). He also claims that there isn't really a difference between a £500 and £2000 speaker, as long as they are well made. He puts this down to placebo effect and expectation bias. But it's the room and the way it interacts with a speaker which is the most important thing.

After much impassioned debate (and far too many pints!) we inevitably end up parting ways and yet manage to remain good friends.

I hope we can all be the same on here

Guillaume

Well, I read this thread, ordered some Blue Jeans cable and took the Pepsi Challenge :

WW Silver Eclipse power  D200  AIR/Ethernet  Macbook Pro   KEF LS50  SAM

$2495   Audience AU24SE  vs

$77.25  Blue Jeans 5T00UP

Still experimenting but early returns:

The Audience is more dimensional - music in more planes 

The Blue Jeans are more upfront and paint more of a bas-relief sound stage.

The Blue Jeans are more dynamic - they have a bite the Audience do not

Both sound good....but

The Audience is not 32 X better... so far.   It's more of a preference thing.

I'll update as I swap some more.


PS - Power Cable: Gotta say the Wireworld Aurora PC is a big improvement from stock.   Several cable manufacturers claim
the power cord is the most important link - maybe true?

PPS  AIR destroys USB via WW Platinum Starlight.  Some quirks for sure. As an engineer I say work on router / settings
and go ethernet both ends if possible, when possible.  Cat 6a is a lot cheaper than a streamer... 

[bobertk]

Very interesting debate.

Just to put things into context a friend of mine is a sound engineer in a trendy central london recording studio. He's worked with lots of big names and has produced lots of critically acclaimed stuff. Sorry can't remember the details off the top of my head.

We often have fun on the subject of audiophile equipment. Just to summarise his position - he thinks we are all mad. He reckons that room acoustics are more important than speakers and tells me that he (and others!) produce using the cheapest wires and equipment (and many sound engineers have terrible hearing! ). He also claims that there isn't really a difference between a £500 and £2000 speaker, as long as they are well made. He puts this down to placebo effect and expectation bias. But it's the room and the way it interacts with a speaker which is the most important thing.

After much impassioned debate (and far too many pints!) we inevitably end up parting ways and yet manage to remain good friends.

I hope we can all be the same on here

Guillaume

Well, I read this thread, ordered some Blue Jeans cable and took the Pepsi Challenge :

WW Silver Eclipse power  D200  AIR/Ethernet  Macbook Pro   KEF LS50  SAM

$2495   Audience AU24SE  vs

$77.25  Blue Jeans 5T00UP

Still experimenting but early returns:

The Audience is more dimensional - music in more planes 

The Blue Jeans are more upfront and paint more of a bas-relief sound stage.

The Blue Jeans are more dynamic - they have a bite the Audience do not

Both sound good....but

The Audience is not 32 X better... so far.   It's more of a preference thing.

I'll update as I swap some more.


PS - Power Cable: Gotta say the Wireworld Aurora PC is a big improvement from stock.   Several cable manufacturers claim
the power cord is the most important link - maybe true?

PPS  AIR destroys USB via WW Platinum Starlight.  Some quirks for sure. As an engineer I say work on router / settings
and go ethernet both ends if possible, when possible.  Cat 6a is a lot cheaper than a streamer... 

Well,  It only took an hour or so with the Blue Jeans.  They are a bit overbearing.

Still, it's not 32X... 

[samurai7595]

Audience speaker AU24-SE speaker cables, power cables and digital cable.

WOW, very nice cables indeed! 

[hk6230]

Gee, AU24-SE speaker cable cost US$2500. That's even more expensive than KEF LS50 speakers.

[Mikeeo]

bobertk

Interesting to read your comment as this somewhat resembles my own though with different cables (Nordost, Chord Company, JPS etc).

My std homemade speaker cable (from AWG 10 solid copper) has seen off some quite other costly alternatives and recently a pair of Siltech for USD6000 (Swedish price with VAT (25%)). My cable cost me less than USD 100 including 8 bananas. 
My findings are almost the same as yours and I would say that the only treat the Siltech had was a slightly smoother top (though I missed some attack/dynamics).

Well my hunt will soon be renewed with a home demo of Ansuz cables, with focus on power cables but also speaker cable.

I'll let you know the outcome/Mike