Gabriel Gold IC's are they really this good?

I should probably chime in here. I've tried a pair of GG Extreme ic's (thanks Art), and I bought a pair of GG Revelation speaker cables, that I've owned for a month. I really do love the GG tonality, it is really spot on. As good as or better than anything else I've heard, and I've heard a lot. I do have issues with the soundstaging of the GG cables though. The Extreme ic was a tad shallow in soundstage depth, and the Revelation, was a bit short on stage height. Small complaints to be sure, as these are very, very good cables. However, I have found that Jade Audio Hybrid and Vermeil interconnects and speaker cables are more to my tastes.

Tonally the Jade Audio and the GG are about equal, the GG are slightly more transparent and quicker, the Jade's slightly more richer and sweeter. I do note that I have enhanced these desriptions for the sake of clarity. Both cables are gold based, and as such have a great tonality.

The Jade wins (for me) in soundstaging. It has much greater depth and height than the GG cables. It actually has greater depth than my PAD Dominus reference, and almost as much height. Soundstage width is about the same.

That is just IMO, IMS, YMMV!

Cheers,
John

jmcgrogan2-I was wondering what version of the Extremes you were listening to?(Eichmann connectors?) From what I've gathered from this thread the member you refer borrowing cables from(Art who I have also conversed with) had his interconnects modified with different connectors (Bocchinos)for some reason.
As far as the speaker wire goes - What length/configuration
of Revelation speaker wire are you running.I use an 8ft pair of Revelations and my soundstage is climbing the ceiling with more layers of depth that I can count to.I know from conversations with Steve that he really frowns on anything less than 6ft runs as most manufacturers do.
Although it sounds like you really appreciate the sound of the GG's ,your sonic impression of the Gabriel Golds don't sound like what I hear nor other postings.
It is your opinion and all opinions are to be respected.

I just received my GG Revelation ICs a couple of days ago and they are still burning in. I do agree with most comments here (and John's for the most part) as to the sonic quality of the GG cables based on my experience with the Extreme. I can also respect John's opinion. I have not heard the Jade Hybrid, but have heard the Vermeil (I'm probably one of the few who returned them).

I think the Jade Vermeil is a great cable and I believe John describes the sonic qualities accurately. However, in my system and based on my tastes the Vermeil did not beat out the Oritek X-2, and in fact in comparison lacked that little extra sparkle on the top end. When I got the Extremes and they were properly burned in they beat out the X-2.

I did notice a slightly wider and taller soundstage with the Extreme cables. However, my room size and dimensions have always caused soundstage issues. So could the soundstage be much wider and taller as some report? Possibly, I'll never know until I move and have a more appropriate listening room. I do know that the GG cables agree with my tastes and I'm anxiously awaiting the burn in of the Revelations so that I can better evaluate how they sound in my system. So far initial impressions are favorable.

Hi Bob,

Yes, I appreciate that all opinions are to be respected. I also have the utmost respect for all of Steve's cables, they really do sound fantastic compared to all of the very expensive cables I've heard prior.

For your questions, I heard the Eichmann edition of the Extreme interconnect. I also had Steve custom make me a 1 meter length of his Revelation speaker cable. Yes, he did recommend that I go at least 6 feet in length, as did many other cable manufacturers.

I compared the 1 meter length of the GG Revelation to my current reference, a 3 ft run of PAD Dominus (yes, I have monoblock amps). I really enjoy the tonality of the GG cables, they really are amongst the best I've ever heard.
However, the soundstage was very truncated, especially height wise with the Revelation speaker cables. It was the first time that I've ever felt as though I was ever 'listening down onto a performance'.
Shockingly, the soundstage was beneath me.

Yes, this could be a result of a shorter length (1 meter). Steve did say that he had'nt heard a 1 meter length before. I also want to re-iterate that it did sound very, very good...tonally.

I will know for sure in a couple months, after I've received a 4 foot pair of the Jade Audio Vermeil speaker cables. I have experimented with the Vermeil and the Hybrid interconnects, as well as the Vermeil speaker cables. I've also become very fond of the Stealth Dream power cords.

IMO, IMS, these combo (Jade and Stealth) have combined for the most incredible, natural, realistic sound I have heard in my system in my 30 years of listening.

Cheers,
John :)

Jmcgrogan2 - I have not heard the GG cables, and hope to one of these days, but I have much experience with the Jade Hybrid, Stealth Indra and Dominus ICs. You are spot on about the Jade Hybrid doing depth like no IC before. It is not that the others are lacking here but that the Hybrid takes this to a whole new level. This alone makes the Jade IC the keeper. And once we hear this, it is really tough to go back to the others no matter what strengths the other cables might have. I find that the IC into the amp is where this difference really comes to play. The GG Revelation remains that last IC that I want to hear to find out for myself.