Boy, I sure would love to own something like that(VAC Phi 300.1a) too. I have often wanted tubes just for Music .
The biggest reason that i haven't looked into a better two channel sytem is two fold . First of , I like full range speakers better than Monitors with a sub. 2nd ,I also can't give up my Home Theater for a 2 channel setup. So.. I tried to find a reasonable trade off.
I play all of my music, whether it be Cds or even Pandora from Directv,(Which really doesn't sound too bad) , in Souce Direct or Direct mode , without any processing. This way there is only ONE Digital to analog conversion.
If i use a sub for music then I would have to have the signal processed because of the Inherent delay that all subs have. Most processors nowadays can take care of this (Audyssey). But to me it usually sounds better without all of the additional processing to sync with the delay of the sub.
Also , if i use analog out from the Source then there is one Analog to Digital conversion , and then a Digital back to Analog.
I always have found that the less processing of the signal the better the sound .
I also think my Cd Players Dac (Sony CDP-M555ES) is better than the DAC in my processor Marantz SR5003) . I believe most Cd player dacs are usually better than Most Processor dacs . In my case I know it is . I have tried .
I hope this makes a liitle sense .
I know it is difficult to explain clearly and concisley . |
Ok Everybody, I need your expertise on one more thing. I am Bi-amping my speakers . Currently I am using Golden Cross ICs from pre-amp to amp. I am using them on the top
(8" Midrange woofer and Vifa DX25-TG05 tweeter ) and also on the bottom (one 8 " Woofer) .
It seems to me that it is quite a waste to use Golden Cross on the bottom. Is there an IC that is Great on bass alone .
I know some of the monster cables , that are relatively cheap, do bass very well.
Also would it be wise to use a sub specific cable . Keep in mind that the Woofer is crossed over at 150 HZ
Here is the Specs
http://www.sourcespeaker.com/8211CWC-2.html |
I was asking about Interconnects from the pre to amp.
Is the M1 an iterconnect ? ...cause it comes up as speaker cable . |
Well i am bi-amping. When i say that i am using Golden Cross ICs from pre-amp to amp on both channels for each speaker . The way i said it makes it sound like i am talking about speaker cables because i said that i am using GC ics on the top and the bottom of each speaker .
I should have said that i am using the Golden crocc ICs for the input channels from pre-amp to amp channels . I am using one amp channel for the top of each speaker (L/R)and an amp channel for the Bottom odf each speaker (L/R)
I total of four amp channels for Front Left and Right speakers . I am using Golden Cross ICs on all four channels fromj pre-amp to amp.
Sorry for the confusion |
My last question here was asking which interconnect should i use for the pre-amp to amp on the bass cahhels . I am bi-amping . This is for the pre-amp to amp ( the bass channels to the speaker) .they are crossed over @ 150 hz . So the signal from the amp to the speaker will only be 150 hz and below .
What i am using now is Golden Cross ICs. That seems a waste for 150hz and below .i was asking for some suggested ICs That are good for Bass (Tight and defined is what i am looking for ). The speaker cables for the bass are DH Labs Q10s put together with Synergistic Research #2s. Both are used together , right now |
one amp with four channles for two speakers |
Audiolabyrinth , #1. My Amp is not powerful enough to drive these speakers to the level i want without bi-amping.
I tried running this way with jumpers and two amp channels instead of four . #2 The sound is more open sounding and dynamic when i am bi-amping. #3 My system is a little bright for music ,that is one reason for using the Golden Cross. #4 I tried the Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval interconnect from CD player to pre-amp ans they are too forward to my liking, also less bass than the Golden Cross ICs and a little bright sounding on some stuff, not bad mind you, I am sure that is more attributed to my sytem more than anything. I would say the AP solo crystal are probably more accurate but also very revealing .
SOOOOO . I'll keep on the lookout for some Tara the one ICs to try. Before i make a final decision on whether too keep the Golden Cross Speaker cables, I will try the Q10 speaker cables back in place of the Golden Cross.
Thanks for the Recommendations.
I Think the Taralabs the one speaker cables out out of my price range . |
Tls49
I have used identical cables with the Q10 and with some previous 12gauge cheap stuff.
Thw Q10 is setup for bi-amping(4 terminals on each end ).I had been doubling up the four connections into two when they were on top and the Synergistics on the bottom. originally i was running the q10s top and bottom |
well, i did not give them a full 200 hours , but about 100 hours.
Audiolabyrinth, i am not using any jumpers ??? i don't know if you do not understand what bi-amping is or not ??
you keep talking about jumpers vs bi-amping ???
Any sopeaker that has more than one set of terminals will require jumpers ,and that is the way most people run them.
My amp only puts out 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms .???? |
Audiolabyrinth
Click on me "Grey9hound"
its in My System |
|
Thanks again to all for the recommendations and the help.
@Audiolabyrinth. -- I am not going to use jumpers on my speakers. I am going to continue t bi-amp them, unless i get a more powerful amp, which i have not planned on yet . I have considered the Nad M25 in the Future. There is no way i can afford the Tara labs speaker cables, and i really do not want to go the adapter route from XLR to RCA for the ICs either.
I want to hear Waxwaves thoughts on the Air1 ICs.
please Please waxwaves , post your opinion of them here.
|
@Waxwaves . You should put them between the Souce and the pre-amp first . That should be where you would hear thee differemnces the most |
ICs are MOST noticable between source and pre-amp.
Any one agree? |
@Audiolabyrinth
My amp is 125 into 8 ohms and 225 into 4 ohms. THD is .04%
29db Gain |
Well, I put the Q10 Speaker cables back in on the top . I ran Audyssey again , even though i play music in direct mode,without sub. The Audyssey corrections are not supposed to be applied in this situation, but i believe it actually does. I always tended to have some upper mids to lower highs that were sometimes sharp sounding , especially noticable on certain recordings.
I have a feeling that Audysesey contributed to this. When i re-ran it again after putting in the Q10s, I made sure that the mic was slightly tilted toward the front. This time most of the sharpness is GONE. yippee.
I will be putting the Golden Cross Speaker cables up for sale as well as the Analysis plus Solo crystal Oval interconnects.
Thanks again to everyone for your help. |
Audiolabyrinth
I am here . i was just busy this past weekend.
Waxwaves
Did you get the cable yet ?
When you do , would you try it between the cd player and pre-amp . I think most systems would allow you to hear more differences in that position.
I know whenever i have tested ics , i was always able to tell a bigger difference between the Source and the Pre.
Differences were not as noticable from pre to amp ,, for me anyway .
Thanks |
Waxwaves
I am waiting for you review. I look forrward to it . Thanks to you and Audiolabyrinth for all of your insight |
Audiolabyrinth
I am here . I have been trying to fix a problem with one of my Sony CDP-M555ES cd players . it has started not being able to find the disc location and spins around back and forth searching for the right disc # . It plays fine until after about 30 minutes or so when it starts actind up.
I purchased a replacement CDP-M333ES. the only diference from the 555 is it doesn't have video out for the song tilte and artist display , on the TV like the 555.
I really did not use it that(menus to tv ) much anyway.
i have been re- loading in each disc artist and the title of the disc and the categoryinto the 333es. Very labor intensive , although it does accept a keyboard which helps a lot.
It will recognize cd text but id you don't have artist and genre put in you can't play by artist or genre.
I really have been thinking about using a pc as a server and running through a pc with jriver media or windows media out to the tv for display.
Are any of you guys doin' that ? |
Wow . Thanks Waxwaves for the initiall impressions of the Air 1. they sound like they are very good. I will consider the McCormack amps. |
Well Audiolabyrinth , I just haven't had much to say lately.
I have put the Q10 speaker Cables back in my sytem and have the Cardas Golden Cross Speaker Cables on ebay right now. I am kind of keeping my eye on trying some tara labs air 1 interconnects.I just don't like the prices i am seeing . So , it may be a bit before i try them.
I am still waiting fo Waxwaves final thoughts on the air one compared to the Analysis Plus solo crystal oval . I am also hoping he will try them from source to Pre in place of the discovery essence , just to see how they are. I personally think the most diffence in a cable can be heard from the source to the pre , rather than pre to amp. I have always heard the most discernable differences when the cable was in that spot.
I am also considerring building or buying a PC to use as a music server , and running optical out to a DAC. The Dac i am considering the most is the Wyred4sound DAC2.
I will admit , it will probably be this fall before i venture into this . I will, however, be doing a lot of research in the meantime regarding this venture .
Take Care |
|
I tried the solo crystal ovals . There are very revealing . I did not like their forward presentation though
@ Wig
What is Acoustic Zen Absolute copper ?
I see that maybe they introed it at CES 2013 , but it doesn't show that it is available on their website yet ?
Where would you get this from ? |
I wouldn't mine trying those AZ Absolute copper , But they are out of my price range.!
I'll keep my eyes open for the Air 1 or the One to try first,used of course . |
I am hoping that After i win that 1.7 Million in Mondays drawing, that is up for grabs in the Tennessee Cash Lottery, i will be able to buy those Tara "The Omega Gold " Speaker cables . Waxwaves you better get you a ticket ! |
Well adam , That sounds like high praise indeed for those Taras . I'll have to keep an eye out for a good deal (cause i am a tightwad )on those. I think that you have my numbers ,if not PM me. Thanks again for the review on tha Tharas and all of the other info you have provided to us on the forum .
Audiolabyrinth, you too deserve a lot of thanks for pushing everone over to the Taras. Thanks for your persistence and your insight. |
I have been dying to try some KCI Silkworms .. but they are Pricey |
looks like you can put your items in your cart at his website and pay with paypal . I did not go as far as paying
So i am thinking .. Yes |
@Jmcgrogan2
Can you ezxplain the differences between the DH Labs Q10 speaker cables Versus the Tara Air 1 .I think you said that you owned both .
Thanks |
Arg!! I don't really want to spend the money right now.
I have to buy a a/c compressor for my car , a diving board for my pool and i just purchased some $400 dollar saddlebags for mhy motorcycle. I am just going to have to wait a bit . I do thank everyone for the insight on the Tara cables and i will definately try some ICs next or maybe speaker cables , at least the Air 1 or above .
I sure would like to hear from anyone who has tried the Air 1 speaker cables and the DH Labs Q10s .
Thanks again to all |
I just made an offer of $650. for those Tara Labs Air 1 speaker cables .
Will we see what happens |
I am the proud new owner of those Tara Air 1 Speaker Cables. |
|
@Audiolabyrinth
I hope i'll get it by the end of the week .
BTW , I am shipping your thing today. |
I turned 51 on April 3rd
Yikes.
Its hard to deny being old after you turn 50 |
I am thinking BAT VK-500.
But, it will be a while . Probably a year |
Well Waxwaves, That diving board may have to wait after all.
Found out that my 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 has a dead Power Commander .Thats 300 bucks. I would just not worry about it , BUT the guy that had the bike before me added Vance and Hines Exhaust and K&N Air filter. This allows for much more air flow , but because of that you have to add more fuel, the reason for needing the Power Commander.
Right now since it is dead , i am running way too lean. The bike wants to jerk when you let off the gas and when you put it on because its too lean (not enough fuel in the mix). Just ordered one of those . OUCH
Daughter has to have her wisdom teeth cut out .
Damn there goes a thousand after insurance.
Kids are expensive .
She is in college too. One more year and she Graduates .
Hopefully she graduates !! |
Well.
Since they are not brand new , i would not think it would take 200 hours . They are already sounding really good .
Compared to the Q10s they are quieter. The sound is fuller and more fleshy on the bass and mid -bass. the top end is still really good with not a hint of glare or brightness.
I noticed myself listening to a lot of Cds that i would not listen to much with the Q10s.
Also, because of the lack of Glare and how quiet they are , I found myself turning up the volume more.
Rock music is especially good with these cables. Whereas with the Q10s , depending on the recording it could sound a little harsh. Not with theses Air 1s !!!
Everything sounds good with these speaker cables .
I AM IMPRESSED!!! |
@Audiolabyrinth 05-06-13: Audiolabyrinth
@ Grey9hound, I listened to the cd,I do not know what kind of music you call that?, very strange music, Its not new age music, I have some of that, any way, Thankyou, Cheers!
Well, sorry . It doesn't sound like you liked it too well . It is just way different , Has very COOl sounds , IF you let it ALL play and don't just skim through it. plus it has very DEEP BASS. Jusyt wondered how your speakers did on that bass . Mine sound like Subs are playing on this cd For Everyone else , The CD is "THe K & D sessions disc #1 by Kruder and Dorfmeister. Its prettty much a Classic in that type of music Tchno/Retro/New Age /Dance. If you play it in its entirety and more than once, you will appreciate what i am saying .CHEERS |
I think i did post a review. 04-29-13: Grey9hound
Well.
Since they are not brand new , i would not think it would take 200 hours . They are already sounding really good .
Compared to the Q10s they are quieter. The sound is fuller and more fleshy on the bass and mid -bass. the top end is still really good with not a hint of glare or brightness.
I noticed myself listening to a lot of Cds that i would not listen to much with the Q10s.
Also, because of the lack of Glare and how quiet they are , I found myself turning up the volume more.
Rock music is especially good with these cables. Whereas with the Q10s , depending on the recording it could sound a little harsh. Not with theses Air 1s !!!
Everything sounds good with these speaker cables .
I AM IMPRESSED!!!
Grey9hound (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread) They are not as overly full sounding , now. They seem to have better detail , But the Bass with the Q10s on the Bottom is very articulate and DEEP. I am not sure if its just the Q10s on the bottom or the Taras on the mids-bass. But i really like what i am getting with this combo and setup . @ Waxwaves . If you get into knoxville give me a yell and come and critique my system for me . i think that is darn good for the money and equipment that i have . I had better leave it alone for a while . If i change something again, i could mess up things. |
05-10-13: Audiolabyrinth
@ grey9hound, I did not know that was your conclusion review?,I did tell you they would settle down when you are running them in, I bet if you put those speaker cables on the bottom post for 3 or 4 days to settle in, they would blow the q- 10s out of the water with bass!, and more articulate! cheers!
I find it very hard to beleive the Taras would blow away the Q10s in the Bass Dept. I have found nothing better for Deep Articulate Bass. I am not saying there isn't anything better , but if there is ,I am not aware of it . STOP IT with the bottom post thing , already !!! |
I am 51. You will have to come by and listen when you can come to Knoxville. we can trade some music maybe.
Let me know
See Ya ,
Dennis |
I could Indeed . It just seems quite a waste to use the air 1s on just bass modules ?
I'll try it one day. Not Today though |
|
@Davea33 Well , you are gonna have to tell us the other 3 05-13-13: Davea33
I'm a bit late to the party, but this weekend I just compared 4 interconnects. By far the interconnect that had best dynamics and bass slam was CRL-FIM interconnect. The bass had great articulation and realism. As someone else mentioned OCC copper is the way to go for what you are looking for.
Which interconnect is it from them ? I se that CRL stands for Cable Rsearch Lab , but what is FIM? First Impression Music ? This is what the company was called before . Now they have settled om the name CRL, right ? here is a link that might help http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/cable-research-lab-silver-speaker-cable-and-interconnect/ |
@ Audiolabyrinth 05-09-13: Waxwaves
Hello Gents, I see we are talking about different kinds of music now. That sounds like my cup o tea! Grey9hound, K&D is alright man, how old are you? I am a Thievery Corporation kinda guy myself. "The Outernational Sound" is my fav. Did you try Little Dragon?
Audiolabyrinth, my man, hope you are enjoying Dennis' favorite tunes played on your jaw dropping setup and havn some cold ones buddy! Give us some of you favs dude, and I hope it's not gonna be any of that "new rock" trash brother. That is almost as bad as this "pop country" crap that is all over the radio here. C'Mon Audiolabyrinth tell us some of those CDs that you like .I need to get some spun up for Waxwaves who needs to come to knoxville and Critique my little Budget system. I know i sent you a lot of Contemporary blues., which i would bet Waxwaves and even POps would like . |
@Davea33
Which interconnect from FIM-CRL are you referring to. They currently make many different ones. Which ones from the older FIM-CRL company. Do they have any designation as to the Model # or type . What are they called .they currently offer bronze, silver , gold and blue as their designation .
Also could you please tell us what the other 3 interconnects were that you tested them against.
Thanks |
Alright Keith , I am calling you out on this !
We want to know which of those Cds you like if any , PLEASE |
@ Hessec
I am sorry to tell you , butAudiolabyrfinth is well respected here in the forum . He is a Very knowledgeable audiophile . Yes , he is pretty enthusiastic about Tara Labs cables , but it is from many years of experience and knowledge in the world of Audio . He pushes Tara ,as we all know , but like i said , it is from much experience . i have recently purchased some Tara Labs Air 1 speaker cables, and they are the best i have ever owned . So , please refrain from your uninformed responses . All of us who know him realizes that , he does get carried away with his enthusiasm, but I Truly beleive it is because he wants everone else to enjoy the experiences that he has had with cables . Yes he comes on a little strong ,and doesn't always get his words right, but he is trying to help everyone else .
So your poke at him does not sit well with folks on the forum , especially since you have it wrong.
It would be nice if you had something to add ,other than trying to be-little someone else . Really it just shows your in-maturity.
Most people who post try to add somethihg of VALUE.
Its really what these forums are for .... gaining knowledge, Not trying to call out someone else .
Please post something of Value , if not please refrain from trying to insult others . |
Thanks for the info Davea33
I will keep my eyes open , and try some if i can come across them. |
05-16-13: Audiolabyrinth
The Blues virtoso was cool!
That would be Ronnie Earl and The Boradcasters- Blues Virtuoso. Glad you liked it . |
This from TGB The High Fidelity Cables are quite unusual as the rest on a conductor that is not normally considered for wire. And they sound quite different from all other ics and speaker wires I have heard. With their CT-1 Ultimates I am getting a realism I had never heard before. Are they the best in the world? How would I know? If you don't take of an opportunity to hear them, you are missing something unique.
Well i acnnot even get the CT-1 Ultimates to pull up at all . On their website , when you click on them they say "coming soon " There price of $4900 per 1 meter pair, is way out of my leauge. Oh , i just found them at The Cable Co . |
@Audiolabyrinth
didn't i write it on the cd ? Ronnie Earl ? |
Thank you Keith. I wish you the best of luck with everything you do. I hope that amp works out for you . I thank you for helping me find some really awesome cables that work wonderfully in my setup. i appreciate your enthusiasm in helping everyone here on the forum. I know some people may not understand where you are coming from , but i do. Thanks again for everything . Hope you like those Cds |
