What Cables Are You Using With Atma-Sphere Gear & Why?

[rhopkins]

Hi,

Pretty self explanatory topic but I'm curious. I've tried different cables in different locations in my systems and sometimes I can hear a difference and sometimes I can't.

Specifically, I'm interested in what are people using between their preamp and amp and why? What differences do you hear and if possible, assign a percentage difference to what you hear?

Just curious.

[rhopkins]

After trying a few experiments between the MP-1 preamp and the MA-2 amps we determined that there are differences between cables and they are significant. The good news is that the best sounding cable we have been able to find is regular quad-shielded mic cable. Cheap, cheap, cheap! In fact, anything that we have tried which would be considered an audiophile cable does more harm than good.

Save your cash and spend it elsewhere. I know Ralph says this and it's not that I don't believe him, I just wanted to have some fun and see if I could hear any difference. Yes I can - it just doesn't mean the sound is better.

There was a fellow on Audiogon a few years back who was using the same pre-amp and amp and he had some SUPER expensive, highly regarded cable and he did the same test and arrived at the same conclusion. Mic cable is the way to go.

[Brian Walsh]

Between MP-1 and MA-2s, yoiu're probably right. Speaker cables, on the other hand...

[mep]

After trying a few experiments between the MP-1 preamp and the MA-2 amps we determined that there are differences between cables and they are significant. The good news is that the best sounding cable we have been able to find is regular quad-shielded mic cable. Cheap, cheap, cheap! In fact, anything that we have tried which would be considered an audiophile cable does more harm than good.

Save your cash and spend it elsewhere. I know Ralph says this and it's not that I don't believe him, I just wanted to have some fun and see if I could hear any difference. Yes I can - it just doesn't mean the sound is better.

There was a fellow on Audiogon a few years back who was using the same pre-amp and amp and he had some SUPER expensive, highly regarded cable and he did the same test and arrived at the same conclusion. Mic cable is the way to go.

And the cheap cable is?

[microstrip]

And the cheap cable is?

As far as I remember Ralph Karsten was known to use Mogami Neglex 2534 between the MP1 and his OTL power ampliifer, using the 600 ohm connection.

Many years ago I asked his advice about speaker cables for my first generation MA2 and he referred very positively to my Transparent Audio reference cables, tuned to tubes. But he did not recommend the corresponding interconnect.

[mep]

I have said it before numerous times that Mogami makes one hell of an interconnect cable. They were designed to be used in balanced configuration and for super low-noise and rejection to EMI/RFI.

[c1ferrari]

...Mogami Neglex 2534...

I have this cable inserted in a couple of places in my rig...just ordered a pair of Mogami 3173 -- let's see if I notice anything

[Brian Walsh]

Once again this year, Atma-Sphere electronics will be used with Sound Lab Majestic 845 full range electrostatic loudspeakers at THE Show in Las Vegas, room 4004 at the Flamingo.

The interconnects and loudspeaker cables will be Teo Audio's Liquid Cables, also used last year to great effect.
TAS Senior Reviewer Dick Olsher, who owned Sound Labs years ago, said it was the best he had ever heard Sound Labs, awarding it Best Sound (Cost No Object), saying:
"The Sound Lab Majestic 845 ESL partnered by Atma-Sphere's MA-1 OTL amps. Roger West is back on top with a full-range design capable of gorgeous tonality and exceptional musical realism."

There will be some pleasant surprises, so stop in if you are attending.

[Wasatch]

Synergistic Research and Cardas.