Acoustic Zen MC2 - best digital interconnect in this price range? - Page 3

I am currently using the Oyaide DR-510. Soft, clear details with a natural sound. Might send it out to cryo in a few weeks. Another option would be the Ridge Street Audio P!!! R-v3 DIGITAL MASTER. Eichmann (non-locking) bullets, solid silver conductor like the DR-510, factory cryo treated. Around $400, but I read its signature is focused on the type of sound you are looking for. Might be my next cable. Then again, I may decide to splurge and spring for the Shunyata Python Digital IC. That way I will complete a Shunyata loom (interconnects and power).

Quote:

Originally Posted by korzena 

Dave, could you tell me what are the weak sides of Audio-Magic interconnects?

 

Guys, have you ever listened to Anti Cables ICs? What do you think about them?

Excalibur II is a silver ribbon cable, and is more "old style" Audio-Magic. Rich, dynamic, powerful, with plenty of detail, but a midrange that is a little dry. The Liquid Air series is not quite as dynamic (or at least the entry models aren't. I haven't heard Clairvoyant Liquid Air) but more than make up for it by improving in pretty much every other area - noise floor (not being made of metal helps with that), soundstage, mid-bass, midrange, and treble detail, and overall tonal balance.

The anti-cables are OK for the price, but there's nothing particularly special about them. The idea that they are "more transparent, dynamic and "life like" than any other cable I have ever heard." is simply laughable, that or the designer has heard very few cables besides his own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by korzena 

While I've been reading about them, I've encountered Purist Audio cables which look very promising to me. According to reviews and people's impressions they tend to be warmer, darker and heavier in bass and midrange. Actually this is something that would suit my system. 

I've been also told they are well-suited for headphone-based systems because of their great musicality and extremely low noise floor.

 

Have you ever had any experience with Musaeus or Elementa Advance or Aqueus Aureus or other Purist Audio analog interconnects?

I have heard some of the very expensive Purist cables like Dominus and Venustas, but not the more affordable stuff. Dominus is VERY quiet, but it leans pretty heavily in favor of the warm and relaxed side. Venustas is a little more balanced and up front. I'd suggest contacting them if you're interested, each of the PAD cable lines goes in a somewhat different direction in terms of the sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by korzena 

 

And regarding the Audio-Magic The Liquid Air ICs, would you say they have full-bodied midrange. How is their weight in bass. My system is leaning towards bright side with more energy in upper mids and treble and I would like a cable that will balance it with heavier low-mids and bass. I am wondering if the Audio-Magic is not too good (too neutral) for me.

The Liquid Air cables are very detailed in the upper mid and treble region, but there's absolutely no harshness or brightness up top at all. The negative qualities that cables like the Acoustic Zen Silver Reference have are completely absent. Midrange is full bodied, without the slightly thin and dry sound of the earlier Audio-Magic silver ribbon cables like Excalibur. The one area where the entry Liquid Air cable comes up a little bit short is in deep bass and slam, it's just a little polite in that area. At the $400 level though, it's very tough to beat.