SRA for Opus MM2

mcduman · Jan 27, 2015

Having already spent a lot on the Transparents, I said WTH and tried Ohio Class SRA platforms under the speaker cables, and the result was stupidly good. Better extension on both extremes, body, dynamism, drama, everything. I do not know if anybody tried this before but it is definitely worthwhile.

I plan to upgrade to gen v this year, curious to know what happens next

PeterA · Jan 27, 2015

mcduman said:
Having already spent a lot on the Transparents, I said WTH and tried Ohio Class SRA platforms under the speaker cables, and the result was stupidly good. Better extension on both extremes, body, dynamism, drama, everything. I do not know if anybody tried this before but it is definitely worthwhile.

I plan to upgrade to gen v this year, curious to know what happens next

I tried a similar experiment with pretty good results, so I have no doubt you hear improvements. In my case it was fairly subtle:

REF XL on a Vibraplane:

REF XL on a DIY bubble wrap:

Mike Lavigne · Jan 27, 2015

mcduman said:
Having already spent a lot on the Transparents, I said WTH and tried Ohio Class SRA platforms under the speaker cables, and the result was stupidly good. Better extension on both extremes, body, dynamism, drama, everything. I do not know if anybody tried this before but it is definitely worthwhile.

I plan to upgrade to gen v this year, curious to know what happens next

at one point I owned 2 sets of Transparent Audio Opus MM speaker cables (yes, two sets of Opus MM speaker cables) when I was bi-amping my VR9SE's back in 2005-2006. later I did get the Evolution Acoustics MM3's and sell off one pair of the Opus MM speaker cables and then upgrade the remaining pair from Opus MM to MM2. and then I tried a set of Wave Kinetics A10-U8's under each Opus MM2 pod and it did really focus the sound dramatically. the effect blew me away.

so I completely agree with your experience. those Opus MM2 pods really respond to decoupling.

later I switched from the TA Opus MM2 to the Evolution Acoustics DRSC (double run speaker cables) and later upgraded to the TRSC (triple run speaker cables). before you spend money to upgrade your MM2 to V5 you should try and audition the TRSC. the Opus MM2 is a superb sounding speaker cable. but the TRSC might take you further (and put money in your pocket).

LL21 · Jan 27, 2015

I have TA RefXL SCs as well, and have a heavy Entreq Vibb Eater on top (about 12lbs) of each network box as well. It makes a very nice difference where certain choral music (my main test for clarity) becomes more understandable (actual words/lyrics).

jfrech · Jan 27, 2015

oh great....i remember peter a's posts...now i gotta find a way to try this!

mcduman · Jan 28, 2015

Mike Lavigne said:
at one point I owned 2 sets of Transparent Audio Opus MM speaker cables (yes, two sets of Opus MM speaker cables) when I was bi-amping my VR9SE's back in 2005-2006. later I did get the Evolution Acoustics MM3's and sell off one pair of the Opus MM speaker cables and then upgrade the remaining pair from Opus MM to MM2. and then I tried a set of Wave Kinetics A10-U8's under each Opus MM2 pod and it did really focus the sound dramatically. the effect blew me away.

so I completely agree with your experience. those Opus MM2 pods really respond to decoupling.

later I switched from the TA Opus MM2 to the Evolution Acoustics DRSC (double run speaker cables) and later upgraded to the TRSC (triple run speaker cables). before you spend money to upgrade your MM2 to V5 you should try and audition the TRSC. the Opus MM2 is a superb sounding speaker cable. but the TRSC might take you further (and put money in your pocket).

i am aware of the weaknesses of the transparents; slightly rolled of highs, slight emphasis on midrange& midbass, lack of ultimate resolution and attack. overall a good set of compromises i thought at the time and in all fairness did not pay much attention to the new developments in the dreamy world of cabling since i acquired them in 2009.
i attempted to try schnerzinger but they would not even pass me an offer. tried some other well known brands (wont name them) and thought they were disasters. I will add Evolution Acoustics to my shortlist but they do not have a huge presence over here in Europe and I do not buy without hearing any more

mcduman · Jan 28, 2015

jfrech,

how are the gen v interconnects compared to regular mm2? thanks in advance

jfrech · Jan 28, 2015

mcduman said:
jfrech,

how are the gen v interconnects compared to regular mm2? thanks in advance

They are clearly better...more resolution, even blacker backgrounds, more articulate in the bass and more airy in the highs...

robb · Jan 28, 2015

I've never found the current MM 2 generation of Reference cables to be rolled off and lacking attack on my system. I am currently using a Bright Star small shelf under the Network boxes. Perhaps I will try them on top of the Networks.

jfrech · Jan 28, 2015

robb said:
I've never found the current MM 2 generation of Reference cables to be rolled off and lacking attack on my system. I am currently using a Bright Star small shelf under the Network boxes. Perhaps I will try them on top of the Networks.

+1 totally agree

mcduman · Jan 28, 2015

hi robb & jfrech,

within the attack vs decay envelope they they most definitely favor decay, which is not a bad compromise, as I said. But sometimes one can miss the former in certain types of music. also,there is the overall roundness of the sound and midrange richness which I find very pleasing of course but again you can miss the bite factor or the ultimate treble extension. these are the cables that i bought, loved, tweaked and kept at the end. possibly i will upgrade them too. there are certain areas I would like to see improved. and i wanted to make a point of raising them.

XV-1 · Jan 29, 2015

Try Stillpoint 5's under your Transparent network boxes

jfrech · Jan 29, 2015

mcduman said:
hi robb & jfrech,

within the attack vs decay envelope they they most definitely favor decay, which is not a bad compromise, as I said. But sometimes one can miss the former in certain types of music. also,there is the overall roundness of the sound and midrange richness which I find very pleasing of course but again you can miss the bite factor or the ultimate treble extension. these are the cables that i bought, loved, tweaked and kept at the end. possibly i will upgrade them too. there are certain areas I would like to see improved. and i wanted to make a point of raising them.

Curious what model Transparent are you using? Sincere question...some of your perspective changes as you move up the line...and especially Gen 5

mcduman · Jan 29, 2015

jfrech said:
Curious what model Transparent are you using? Sincere question...some of your perspective changes as you move up the line...and especially Gen 5

opus mm2 as in the picture in the first post. and the interconnects.

robb · Jan 29, 2015

@ mcduman I don't know, but attack is also dependent on other components. Yet, I used to have Nordost upper end cables and that company touts them as being close to the speed of light. Yet when I switched to Transparent Reference MM2, the Transparent attack was way better. Percussion, drums, anything being hit exploded from the soundstage, similar to what one hears at a live event.

jfrech · Jan 30, 2015

robb said:
@ mcduman I don't know, but attack is also dependent on other components. Yet, I used to have Nordost upper end cables and that company touts them as being close to the speed of light. Yet when I switched to Transparent Reference MM2, the Transparent attack was way better. Percussion, drums, anything being hit exploded from the soundstage, similar to what one hears at a live event.

+1 on Transparent vs my former Purist Audio Designs cables (which are VERY good btw)

PeterA · Feb 1, 2015

robb said:
Yet when I switched to Transparent Reference MM2, the Transparent attack was way better. Percussion, drums, anything being hit exploded from the soundstage....

Yes, I experienced this too with my REF XL (MM2), but they retained a very even tonal balance which I really like. I'm sure the newer generation is even better though. Transparent has a funny reputation. Some people love the cables, and others think they are very flawed, sounding dark, slow, highly colored etc. I'm in the former camp.

KeithR · Feb 3, 2015

so boxes need boxes. ok. if Transparent's claim to fame is reduction in vibration/noise, this makes absolutely zero sense or isn't what the manufacturer intends.

number95 · Jul 5, 2015

I concur using better isolation below Transparent networks make a quite dramatic impact. Lower noise floor, better tone color, crystal clear highs and better bass articulation (not stronger but clearer bass tones with much less artifacts). I first tried wooden blocks to keep the networks at a bit higher to floor, the net impact was arguably better but with reservations. Then decided to put Acapella bases (were spare at the time) this time much better with no ifs no buts. Unfortunately used to order a pair of SRA for the networks before trying Acapella, hope they raise the bar or are at least at par with Acapella. I will update this thread after SRA getting delivered.

jfrech · Jul 5, 2015

number95 said:
I concur using better isolation below Transparent networks make a quite dramatic impact. Lower noise floor, better tone color, crystal clear highs and better bass articulation (not stronger but clearer bass tones with much less artifacts). I first tried wooden blocks to keep the networks at a bit higher to floor, the net impact was arguably better but with reservations. Then decided to put Acapella bases (were spare at the time) this time much better with no ifs no buts. Unfortunately used to order a pair of SRA for the networks before trying Acapella, hope they raise the bar or are at least at par with Acapella. I will update this thread after SRA getting delivered.

Interesting...everything seems to react to vibrations...

SRA for Opus MM2

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