Real Deal ZU cable WAX, what's your take?

I haven't used the Wax speaker cables, but I have many of their interconnects. In my experience, their cables take 150-200 hours for full break-in. The guys at Zu Cable have a tremendous pedigree and make great products. No insults intended, but they aren't DIY upstarts in the cable business.

Buying new or used is really a matter of comfort level. Some manufacturers warrantees are transferable, but most are not. If you're worried about ease of repair and no cost warantee repairs, buy new. If you're not, buy used and save.

As for the CD player, you can definitely get something wonderful in that price range. The best $3040 I ever spent on digital was for the Chord DAC 64, but you'll have to use something else as a transport. DAC 64s occasionally show up used around here. If you have to have a one box player, The Linn Ikemi is very nice at $3595 new, and I like the Ayre CX-7 at around $2700 new. You could also get a used Sony SCD-1 for $3000 and get SACD playback as a bonus.

Never heard the Wax, but got the IBIS. Even out of the box, I noticed a huige soundstage and instrument focus within that soundstage.

My midraneg initally was weaker as well, but I would have called my experience dry or too laid back. It has gotten better over time, and every other strength has stayed or gotten better as well. From what I've read on Audio Asylum on the Wax, it's a great cable, too.

For my input on the CD: check out www.tweakaudio.com, Ric Shultz's EVS site. He did a mod on a sub-$200 Sony SACD/DVD/CD player for me, and the thing kicks butt. There are some other players he is/will be modding, so that may eb a good route. My Sony NS500V mods were $465, and the machine is better than any $1k player I've heard.

Another possibility is somethign Underwoodwally is advertising here on Audiogon: a new mod'd Shanling tubed unit for $2200. Search under that user, or see the "New Today" section (today being Sunday). Looks very interesting to me.

Good luck, whatever the case.

Having used the Zu WAX first, then upgrading to the Zu IBIS, I can't say enough about these cables. HUGE soundstage, airy, with plenty of midrance. BTW, I compared these with several other brands in my system, and both the WAX and the IBIS won hands-down!

Regarding the CD player, I have the Meridian 588 ($3500 new), and love it! Can't compare it with others mentioned, however.

It's been about 50 hrs and things are improving. The bass has become more detailed and tight. The midrange has filled out, superb detail, but lacks a little in 3D imaging, depth is excellent. The highs are just about right, maybe a touch laid back but this is also the nature of the DQ20's. I am pleased with this cable and look forward to each day. I have enjoyed your comments about CD players, but I want your experiences to tell me if I can get better sound buying used over new. Can 3 grand get me better sound buying new or used. How about Wadia, Meridian, ARC used?
Thanks for your comments, I appreciate your thoughts!

Very good question, it's a tough one. With new technology (new DAC's, multiple DAC's in parallel, SACD & DVD-Audio, etc) coming out more and more, buying new may get you more for the same price as used.

I suppose it really depends on the specific used model you get. Wadia's have a tendancy to sound great, no matter which model you get; but even then, there are clear improvements in the newer machines vs. the old.

My personal approach was to buy the cheap Sony NS500V SACD/DVD/CD player, and have Ric @ EVS mod it. I get sound quality better than most players up to, say, $1.5k, for 1/3 to 1/2 the price. Then, when the next big thing comes, I know I haven't spent too much now for very good, though not superb, sound.

Perhaps buying a quality used product would get you to the same point: a temp solution for not a lot of money right now.

And just to add some more to the confusion: see what kind of deals you can get on new or almost-new equipment right here on Audiogon ! Kind of the best of both worlds.....

Lot of luck,

Todd/Chams_UK

PS - while I think they are all very good, I would not recommend Meridian CD players at this point, nor ARC. Maybe the Meridian DVD's, they are newer technology, and will most likely play DVD-Audio. But software is scarce, so that may be less improtant.