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Stage III Concepts Cables - Any Advice/Feedback/Thoughts is deeply appreciated.

I have a mixed loom of Stage III Concepts Cables on loan to me from a local dealer and need some help.  
There is hardly any user/owner/member/end used type of info out there so I wanted to reach out. 

Here is what I am demoing now and below is the why...

Stage III Concepts GRYPHON XLR 1.5m Interconnects   
Stage III Concepts MAGNUS 3.0m Speaker Cables
Stage III Concepts MINOTAUR 2.0m Power Cable
Stage III Concepts KRAKEN 1.5m Power Cable

Here is the why:

I received my new Magico S5 MK II Speakers 2 weeks ago upgraded from the original S5's.  
I wanted to upgrade my pre and amp but was waiting to hear my new S5 MK II's with my present gear first. 

Magico S5 MK II Speakers
Pass Labs X250.8 amp
Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 pre
Bricasti M1SE w/built in ethernet media player
SGC sonicTransporter ethernet Roon server w/Uptone Audio JS-2 LPS
Kubala-Sosna Emotion Full Loom 

I loved my new speakers and so sold both my Pass X250.8 amp and my Simaudio P8 pre.
I bought Pass Labs XA-160.8 Monoblocks and was driving them direct with my Bricasti M1SE as pre/dac.

I was happy and while looking for a pre I stumbled into a local guy that had a Soulution 530 Integrated.
I thought you know what lets try it and if I like it then I will sell or trade my Pass mono's for a pre or use 530's preouts.

To make a long story longer I put it in my system and low and behold I like the Pass amps better. Maybe not a huge surprise as Pass gear is killer but then I phoned the local Soulution dealer to pick he brain. 

He told me the Pass amps should not sound better with S5 MK II's and it was due to the match of my Kubala-Sosna cables which work great with Pass, ARC, Ayre, Krell, etc. but Soulution is a different animal and needs a different cable. .
I thought OK here we go... Here comes the big old cable sales pitch but to be fair I called him. So I listened.

He loaned me the cables I have listed above to prove what he was saying was true.

You know what happened. Low and behold he was 100% right and they blew my mind. No snake oil but real results.  

They sound insane and actually really good with my Pass amps too but the match with Soulution is breath taking...

Now I see why the Soulution amps are darn expensive. They should recommended cables like Spectral and MIT does.  

So with so little info out there I wanted to ask for you guys for any and feedback, or opinions.

It is really expensive stuff and sure there is some savings because some is former gen cables and they are demo's but still its really expensive stuff so I just was hoping I could get some more info from you folks.

Sorry for long write up but wanted to share my thoughts and my situation and ask for some help on these.

Thanks 
       





128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
jetter
1,035 posts
 
Hey inna, not quite sure how you could even ask.
inna
5,245 posts
 
Yeah..
jetter
1,035 posts
 
Yeah, in my world it would be considered his personal information.  If I am not looking at this correctly let me know.
jafant
10,525 posts
 
fsmithjack
Thank You for the kind words and considerations. Actually, we are in a similar situation regarding an integrated amp. I have been auditioning an Ayre AX-5 Twenty and never thought an integrated could rival separates.
To my ears, the Ayre separates are a measure better, meaning, the company's reference integrated can hold its own at $12K retail.
The Stage III Concepts is a very special PC. At the price points- it should !I cannot comment on Stage III interconnects because I have not auditioned.Spend as much time with this brand as you allow the speakers to bloom.

Keep me posted on developments within your system. Have fun!
Happy Listening!
pokey77
604 posts
 
@fsmithjack 

Very interesting thread. Been following along and initially thought, "wow these Stage III wires are expensive" and now I'm following along to see how they fair. I will probably take a closer look at the line. 

I think that if you found the Soulution to be significantly better with the Stage III power cords than the Pass, and you keep saying that, I think you will be disappointed with the Pass gear if you "settle" for it. But good advice has been given here. Try to spend good time with the Pass and Soulution and make as an informed decision as possible. Keep trying the mix-N-match technique @inna suggested and you'll get there and have the system that sounds best to you.

I prefer a sound that is as high as possible in resolution and certainly over one that may be a bit warm, so you can see my leaning to the Soulution piece. But take your time if the situation will allow and really listen as much as you can.

As you mentioned, the Soulution will save on ICs, power cords, etc (rack space too). And that it sounds better than separates to you speaks volumes. Let your ears guide you.

Looking forward to your updates.
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