Gabriel Gold IC's are they really this good?

Have any of you GA-0 users compared them to Purist Audio ICs...either the Venustas or Aqueous Anniversary? Specific comments about treble and bass characteristics would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

08-17-07: Facten
Priz, I just received the Audio Metallurgy GA Os and on first listen I was un-impressed, however, I turned the direction of the cables around and there was a big difference...

Are the ICs marked somehow to indicate directionality?

I am interested in Gabriel Gold ICs. However, a read through this thread reveals a sure-fire method to keep Gabriel Gold customers on the IC merry-go-round, and I am therefore pessimistic that any GG purchase will have longevity.

IMO.

the "merry go round" of cables IMO is usually due to the incorrect selection of electronics and the consumers need to mask,color,address flaws in the room,etc or just simply desire change for the sake of change.

Bobf (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

That certainly covers all the bases.

LOL!

GG is not unique in this, Facten. You're right.

What's the price for a pair of 1 meter Rapture ICs?

$1995 for 1 meter Rapture ICs?

Too spendy for me. I'll stick with Purist Audio Venustas @ ~$600 pair.

Thanks for the offer, though, Glory.

$1995 is too expensive for me, John. I'm sure they sound terrific, but I'd rather not be tempted by something I can't/won't purchase.

Same reason I don't test drive Ferraris or rent Mediterranean homes in Santa Barbara, CA...

Tossing in more kudos for John's report.

Rja makes an excellent point, and one that applies to every aspect of this hobby, or any other hobby that brings with it the potential for serious financial outlay.

Very few people will be willing to admit their big dollar purchase was a mistake.

I received a pair of GG Revelation II balanced interconnects. They sound very good, but nearly identical to a pair of KCI Silkworm balanced interconnects I also own.

Not sure what I was expecting.

In any case, the Revelation II are worth the price of admission.

I'd spend the money optimizing your power delivery (e.g. adding a whole house filter/surge suppressor like the Environmental Potentials EP-2050 or a balanced isolation transformer, installing dedicated AC lines with a common ground, making sure your audio circuits are on the same phase and on a separate phase from your refrigerator, installing hospital grade AC outlets, perhaps buying a power conditioner). Lots of things that should be done prior to buying upmarket power cords, interconnects or speaker cables.

Take care of the infrastructure first. It will pay dividends down the road.