Copper vs. Silver interconnects

Howard, I've tried a number of copper and silver cables (including Kimber Select 1030, RS Audio MSE, Acoustic Zen Silver Reference), and I've come to the conclusion that I prefer copper...and especially the Au24. It's all personal preference, but the Au24s are sure worth buying used and trying.

I'm also (was also) a drummer. Silver has sounded like too much of a good thing to me. Too much treble detail, if that's possible. But again, it comes down to what you like (conveniently ignoring the quest for perfect accuracy as is being disccussed in other threads).

BTW, my system is all tubes right now...tube amp, tube preamp and tubed CD player.

Not a drummer - a piano player and multi keyboardist in my college days. Lots of time in a room with a live drumset though, and there was one song we played where everyone switched instruments. I got to play the drums then.

I took tenor sax lessons about a year ago (always wanted to do that) and am now much more critical of horns too. Yes, it is true that only horn loudspeakers (i.e. Klipsh and such) can adequately do justice to brassy horns.

What doies this mean to me - that a REAL sounding system has great micro and macro dynamics. However, you can achieve a reasonable sense of tonal accuracy in a system that doesn't have unlimited dynamics too. This often means a lot of experimentation and different materials, as you suggested.

I use Jon Risch's Belden 89259/89248 twisted pair most everywhere, but on my DAC I added an extra 30guage strand of silver to each leg. Pure silver lost that midrange beauty that I like. The combo works best for me ... but only in that location - it's not as good as the pure copper anywhere else in my system. Go figure.

Enjoy,
Bob

Thanks again for all of the input. I'm going to try out the AU24's next. I'm not too harried about this process, given that I really like the cables I currently use. I just thought it would be fun to try out some others, and I'm always up for that "Who woulda thunk it?" experience. That's exactly what occurred for me when I first heard the SET/Klipsch pairing, and I've never found a setup that I like more.

Thank you again for the suggestions. Bob, maybe I'll have to give the Belden's a try as well.
All the best,
Howard

Howard, setting aside the obvious issues of taste and synergy... I was (and still am) a big fan of Siltech, most recently using SQ-80 balanced interconnects (which had replaced Kimber KCAG). IMS these ICs ran just to the bright side of neutral but the soundstage was deep and well-defined. Steve Creamer of Nirvana loaned me a set of his SX ICs about four years ago and these ultimately displaced the 80s. The SX' are very, very quiet, provide a wide soundstage and complement my tube/SS rig. I hate to keep pounding Nirvana's drum but I'm amazed more folks haven't checked out this fine, moderately priced product. Just my 39 cents worth...

Boa and Pmt,

Saw your posts here and had to chime in. I am a percussionist/kit player. Two drummers I appreciate a lot are Bozzio and Weckl. Bozzio for his melodic innovation with his solo work and Weckl for his technical finesse and fluidity.

Here's a link I hope you enjoy of a 9 minute Weckl solo:
http://home.comcast.net/~ridgestreetaudio/brushestosticks.mp3
As far as I've been able to find, this piece is not available on any of Weckl's discography. Wished it was.

And, just cause I like to show it off, my kit:
The Kit

BTW guys, Silver can be the ticket sonically if done with the appropriate care. Can just sound more real rather than hi-fi compared to other conductor materials.

Cheers,
Robert