Back with some more cables


My traveling plans got delayed for another week, so I ordered a few more cables to audition, to keep me busy in the meantime.
Today I received the Synergistic Research Designer's Reference interconnect cables with active shielding and I put it up against the Valhalla. Its a nice looking cable with a little blue toy light, which comes on when the cable is hooked up to the active shielding, to make it more fancy looking, if you know what I mean.

To make a long story short:
Yes, the active shielding improves the sound when compared to the cable not hooked up to the shielding.
The bass performed with more authority, the midrange opened up and the top octaves had a nice and clear sound to it.
But again, the Valhalla is the better cable. Its more musical, a better defined bass and the clarity and richness of sound is just amazing. When I listen to the Valhalla in A-B with the Designer's reference, I feel that the Valhalla sounds just *right* That is how I want a cable to perform. Everything seems almost perfect in place and I can fully concentrate on the music, whereas with the Synergistic research, you just do not have that feeling that everything is *in order* Here a little issue, there a little issue, I hope you know what I mean.
Pricewise the Synergistic Designer reference cable is in the same league, both interconnects can be bought at around $2000, so in my system, I would not go withe the Synergistic cable.
I was not able to get the squared Designer's Reference cable, but it is twice the price, so I can only hope, that this cable will be twice as good as the Valhalla, which I seriously doubt. Not even the Siltech Compass Lake is twice as good as the Valhalla and for the price of a squared Designer's reference, you can almost buy a pair of the Siltech, when we talk street prices here.

I will also get the XLO Limited and just for the fun of it, a pair of the Van den Hul The First Ultimate.
I keep you posted
tekunda
Hi Tekunda, I was wondering if you have tried the Audio Note ANVz interconnects yet, it's one of those cables that just "sounds right" to me at least.

keep us posted
The Master Control CenterII comes standard with a Designer Reference AC now, as a package priced discount deal. Pkg. discount is also available w/ a Des. Ref. Sq. AC. They won't sell it any other way; I asked. But if you buy an MCC used here, then you can pick your AC cord more flexibly. The newer MCC-II comes with a front panel AC switch & BNC connectors unlike the original MCC (no AC switch & has ~3.5mm mini-phone jacks).
I am not trying to argue which is better: Nordost, Van den hul, or Radio Shaft. What's better for me may not be better for you? I have not heard any of the others. My whole point is that you really don't know the full potential of what you did hear, & others reading here should be aware that more potential is available before making a decision perhaps based upon this report. Obviously shouldn't do that, but...
QUESTION? Has anyone tried the new kid on the block, Jena Labs? The underground, reports that it surpasses the Valhalla with ease.

An A B comparison with some of the cables mentioned here would be a great help. I am considering upgrading to them for my entire system. The Symphony series is supposed to be the most bang for the buck.

Thanks,