Need suggestions for new IC's.

[meech]

Hey guys,

Need some suggestions here. I'm not supposed to be spending anymore money right now but I have a problem that I need to correct. I have a strong feeling my current IC's (Signal Cable) are holding my system back.
I just got a new amp and it has really revealed some of the weaknesses in my system. The thing that's killing me the most is the slight thin sound that's on every disc. There's plenty of bass and plenty of impact but voices don't sound as full as I know they can be. I have a strong feeling it's my interconnects.

Do you guys have any suggestions for IC's that would definately be an upgrade to my Signal Cable Analog II's?

 

[Chinchy]

I have the SignalCable Analog 2's and Zu OxyFuels. Both sound indistinguishable to me. But then I went from the Signal Cable Analog 2's to the Grado Signature IC's, and I haven't looked back. The amount of increased detail was apparent to me, and now my SignalCable and Zu cables are just sitting there, oh so lonely.

But I'm still looking to upgrade, maybe to VirtualDynamic cables, or something nice.

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

Meech if you could let us know your budget and how many ICs you need to replace so we can get a feeling of what to recommend in your price range. Although looking at your equipment setup would lead me to believe you could afford a 200-300 dollar IC. If this is the case I would recommend the Bogdan Silver Spirit available on Audiogon for $290. There are a number of head-fiers that swear by this IC (DarkAngel being one of them) and I can tell you that the lower model Silver Princess sounds fantastic. It should add the detail you are looking for.

I should also mention Eric343s Nitrogen cables which add significant bass, although they include resistors in the signal path and depending on the gain of your tube amp you may not be able to turn the volume up high enough to compensate (if your already listening at 9 o'clock this would be a problem, but if your at 6 or lower it may be the ticket

)

 

[tom hankins]

I am using the Bogdan Silver Spirit Reference with my system now and they are very good cables. If you can spring a little more check out the new bogdan line on audiogon. They are being sold at introductory prices right now. You know the old saying......get them while there cheap. The prices for the new cables are per 1/2 meter pr. Also (haven't heard them myself yet) I picked up a pr. of the PS Audio Extreme Statements from www.amusicdirect.com for 1/2 price. They have been at gpalmers and he says they are good for the money.

 

[meech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by highflyin9 Meech if you could let us know your budget and how many ICs you need to replace so we can get a feeling of what to recommend in your price range.

Sorry, I forgot to indicate that info.
I'm probably not going to get anything for another month but my budget is $1k . I need two pair of IC's (1m and 2m)

I check out those Bogdan cables. They look interesting. I wish I had the money right now, I would try those new ones that run about $500 a pair.


Any other suggestions?

 

[tom hankins]

With a $1K budget, don't mess around. Buy used and get something along the lines of the Kimber 1021, or 1030 Selects. If you need balanced get the 1121 or 1130. they are not cheap but after hearing them one time they got my money for a pr. of 1130's. I'm waiting for the balanced amp now to use them. If you want to audition some cables you can get them for a small restocking fee from www.fatwyre.com With your kind of investment it might be worth the extra to audition some different cables. Try the Grovers when you get to Hirsch's place.

 

[kartik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meech Hey guys, Need some suggestions here. I'm not supposed to be spending anymore money right now but I have a problem that I need to correct. I have a strong feeling my current IC's (Signal Cable) are holding my system back. I just got a new amp and it has really revealed some of the weaknesses in my system. The thing that's killing me the most is the slight thin sound that's on every disc. There's plenty of bass and plenty of impact but voices don't sound as full as I know they can be. I have a strong feeling it's my interconnects. Do you guys have any suggestions for IC's that would definately be an upgrade to my Signal Cable Analog II's?

Hey Meech,
I had lent Jpelg the headphile blackgolds along with the amp-adaptor cable. You can ask him to send you the blackgolds as well when he is done with them and try it out. I also have the headphile XRS cables which are my current reference cables. If you want to try out a pair you could buy one from Larry (www.headphile.com). Headphile has a great return policy so, for about $75 (for the demo pair on sale now), you can try out these cables for a couple of weeks. Even if you don't want to return them, it's only $75. Read Stuartr's review of these cables on the full featured reviews list.

 

[eric343]

Quote:

Originally Posted by highflyin9 I should also mention Eric343s Nitrogen cables which add significant bass, although they include resistors in the signal path and depending on the gain of your tube amp you may not be able to turn the volume up high enough to compensate (if your already listening at 9 o'clock this would be a problem, but if your at 6 or lower it may be the ticket )

Actually, the ProSink termination in the Nitrogen cables is generally a concern only with sources that have weaker output stages (such as tubed output stages without transformer coupling).

Meech, the Nitrogens will likely work very well in your system. Though the owner of SACDmods was unsure whether it could drive the load, both of us suspect that the quality of the ZapFilter output stage he uses is of such a level that it will probably have no trouble.

If you're still unsure, you're of course always welcome to ask for the free 30-day no-questions-asked guarantee.

 

[darkclouds]

Or you can get something that's tried and true, a pair of Cardas Neutral Reference. They won't break the bank or leave you wondering if your cables are good enough.

 

[kartik]

Actually it's interesting you should mention the Neut. Refs. In stuartr's review of my Headphile XRS cables, he compared them to both the Kimber Select 1010s and the Cardas Neutral Reference cables. In HIS opinion the XRS were extremely close to the Kimbers in performance across a fairly wide spectrum of music and some pretty decent equipment. In MY opinion, the $75 deal at headphile is a steal. I guarantee they are worth it. If you don't like them I will be happy to take them off your hands! (but please be gentle with the shipping costs

)

 

[meech]

Thanks for all of your suggestions guys! I really appreciate it. I've taken into consideration a few of them already. Now I have to start emailing some of these manufacturers to see if I can audition some of them.

Tom,
Thanks for the Fatwyre link and the Kimber recommendations. I've also emailed Bogdan already to see if he'll send me a pair of Eximus to audition. If I get them, I'll let you know how they sound.

highflyin9 & eric343,
Thanks for your recommendations also. Thanks for speaking with Matthew at SACDmods to verify if the cables would be compatible. Is there a website with a picture of these Nitrogen cables? I'd like to see them.

Kartik,
Thanks a million for offering to lend me those XRS cables also. You are very generous. Are these the same cables that are on his site now? (the ones in the photo with the snake)

darkclouds,
Do you know if the Cardas Golden Ref's are significantly better than the Nuetral Ref's?

 

[meech]

Ok guys here's the update.

I spoke to Ric of Argent Audio cables. He's sending me a pair of his Jaden ICs to audition. I also got an email response from Ridge Street Audio and they said that they can send me a pair of their Poiema cables once I call them. Bogdan Audio sent me an email and told me that they could send me a pair of Eximus ICs as long as I bought them first and paid the restocking fee if I don't keep them. I also just ordered a pair of Signal Cable Silver Resolution ICs that actually just came out last night.

I have a couple more in mind. This should be fun!

Thanks again.

 

[eric343]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meech highflyin9 & eric343, Thanks for your recommendations also. Thanks for speaking with Matthew at SACDmods to verify if the cables would be compatible. Is there a website with a picture of these Nitrogen cables? I'd like to see them.

http://www.audiogeek.net/nitrogen

Given the level of cable you're looking for, you might want to contact me privately about some custom work.

 

[yammy1688]

ridge street audio is a great choice.

also check out pure note cables. between the poiema and the cerulean I'm sure you'll find one to your liking. I'm awaiting delivery of my maestro next week!

 

[darkclouds]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meech darkclouds, Do you know if the Cardas Golden Ref's are significantly better than the Nuetral Ref's?

Actually, I didn't try the golden ref. From what I gathered, they are on the warm side when compared to the neutral ref. So I didn't bother since I don't find the neutral ref to be bright.

edit: By the way, don't forget to comment on your cable adventures and goodluck!