from CAT5 to Kimber 4TC--where's the bass?


Hello! I'm fairly new to all this, so I hope you'll bear with me. Recently, I purchased a Cambridge Audio D500SE CDP from a dealer who was going out of business. He threw in 2 pairs of Kimber 4TC cable (8')at a _very_ good price. I was excited. When I arrived home, I hooked up the CDP to my Cambridge Audio A3i int. amp. and sat down to do some a/b comparisons between the Kimber and my DIY CAT5 cable (made following the FFRC recipe on the TNT website). In both cases, I biwired my speakers. I felt the Kimber really opened up the top end and slightly improved the midrange, but in comparison to the CAT5, the bass had almost completely disappeared. I mean, I could hear the bass and it was very tight and very lean, but the "punch" was gone. My speakers (PSB Image 4Ts) are certainly no monsters with the bass to begin with, but the Kimbers made them sound like small, high-quality bookshelf speakers. This problem existed whether I was playing the CDP or listening to vinyl on my Rega P3 (so I know it's a cable issue). I listen to about a 50/50 mix of older acoustic blues and a variety of pop. With the blues (e.g. Fred McDowell), the absence of bass isn't really a problem, and I like the Kimber very much; but when switching over to pop (e.g. Stevie Wonder), the Kimber doesn't come close to cutting it. So, I'd like to find a cable that combines the good qualities of both cables. Do you have any suggestions? I live very close to AudioAdvisors' H.Q. in MI, so comparing cables would be easy. I prefer buying used, I'm not married to bi-wiring, and I'd like to stay under $250. Thanks again.
shersta
Just curious, but if you are bi-wiring, why not use the Kimber for the high end and the CAT5 for the bass? Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you meant though.
I have the Kimber 4TC in one of my systems. I would give it a week or so to burn in before you pass judgment. It is generally considered a good cable for the money. TG
Before you give up on the Kimber try moving the speakers closer to the rear wall and maybe even further apart. I find that when I change any component I have to reposition my speakers. Good luck.
I agree with both ozfly and Tsugury. Kimbers are known to be a bit "bright" even when burned in, which will take some time. But they are a good cable for the money. I currently biwire (which IMHO is the way to go) with
Kimber 8TC on top and Analysis Plus Oval Nines on the bottom. So have your cake and eat it too by using both of your cables. But if you must buy a new cable, you might try the Oval Nines which I got from Audio Advisors. The bass is awesome once burned in.
BB.