Any opinions on the new Transparent MM

Forgot to add - If you are looking for a cheaper alternative - try Harmonic Technology Pro-9 speaker cable. IMO it is better sounding cable than both TA ultra w/ MM and cheaper AQ cables like Volcano, at half the price. An excellent value indeed.

MM technology is an improvement. A big one. It's actually a technology change, whereas "XL" was a tightening of tolerances that Transparent gained by buying some additional specialized test equipment.

Just as an example - with previous versions of Transparent coupled with top-of-the-line Vandersteen speakers, there was a slight veiling of resolution. With MM Technology networks, the veil was lifted.

If you like the AQ "house sound," you probably won't like Transparent. If you like Transparent, you probably won't like AQ. I think I know why Elberoth2 likes the Harmonic Tech stuff - to me, it sounds very similar to AQ.

Rex: It's not that I do not like transparent sound - as I said, I liked it a lot. In fact AQ Everest and Kilimanjaro were very close in overall sonic signature - natural and full bodied, especially in lower midrange. The problem is that both Everest and Kilimanjaro are simmply BETTER, not different.

Well, I don't think the pair I tried was better, but that's OK. If you like them, they are better - for you/your system.

Rex- you should give a double run of AQ Kilimanjaro a try with your 5As. With my 5As they are simply THE best speaker cables I have used. They opened up the 5As in an absolutely incredible way. I'm also using Sky from my EMM DCC2 to my power amp. The new AQ cables easily beat the Stereovox Reference cables I was using prior.