Speaker cables with CR1s?

[murrayp]

Hi,

I'm interested to know what speaker cables members have found to match well with CR1s. TAD have recommended Siltech without being specific on which model but I guess they mean some from the upper stratosphere (Royals?). Unfortunately those cost more or less the same as the speakers. I guess there are nearly as good matches at more mortal levels? Single or bi-wire?

I had a feeling they were being demonstrated with Audioquest cables at RMAF last year but can't be sure.

Looking forward to experience or suggestions.

thanks

murray

[AudioExplorations]

Murray, welcome along! Do you own the CR1's?

Andrew Jones has used Siltech a lot at shows which in his words has given "outstanding sound", I have seen the CR1's demonstrated with Audioquest as you say (not by AJ), and at the latest show (T.H.E. Show at Newport Beach 2012) Andrew chose Straight Wire Cables. Internally within the cabinet is a proprietory cable sourced from a custom cable manufacturer and is not a "name brand" - this is chosen as part of the voicing of the speaker.

He also mentions that with different, non-TAD electronics he likes to experiment with different cables as the performance will be different in the context of a particular system and taste. I think that with a full TAD system, source and amplification, he now mainly goes for Siltech. We will have to pay attention at upcoming shows to see how his choices have evolved.

[rockitman]

Hi,

TAD have recommended Siltech without being specific on which model but I guess they mean some from the upper stratosphere (Royals?). Unfortunately those cost more or less the same as the speakers. I guess there are nearly as good matches at more mortal levels? Single or bi-wire?

I had a feeling they were being demonstrated with Audioquest cables at RMAF last year but can't be sure.

Looking forward to experience or suggestions.

thanks

murray

You can't go wrong with Siltech. The Classic Anniversay series 770i is close to the Prince, King in the Royal signature line. They use the same G7 alloy. I too am looking to upgrade my speaker wire for my Wilson Alexandria's. I have been leaning toward Siltech Royal Signature "Prince" which is in the $9K range for 2 meters. Siltech are very smooth up top, extended in the bass region and very musical. They are a neutral sounding cable IMO. Nordost Valhalla or Odin are my other considerations. I have limited my choice to those two brands.

[murrayp]

Thanks guys. I'm down in the Antipodes so there isn't so much chance to try seriously high end gear - so I need to research it to death and cross my fingers ;o)

Yes I have CR1s. I'm driving them with a Devialet D-Premier / Stello U3 after downsizing from a dCS Paganini / Burmester 911 system - all the cables needed with that set up just got on top of me in the end. I doubt I ever got the best from the previous kit, but the Devialet does remarkably well - quite a lot better I feel than this site has reported to date. Having said that the amplifier has not been turned off for about six months and I think that that and just plain use, helps. The CR1s when I first got them were nearly unbearably bright on this set up. I (and my audio friends) think they have changed a great deal - they are now very smooth, yet dynamic and extended at both ends. Sounding close to as good as I recall them at RMAF last year I think.

I'll keep an eye out for Siltech cables. Do they ever come up on Agon or similar sites? My experience with cables is that if you can purchase them around half list, you may not have so much downside if they don't work out. Same for most gear actually!

BTW I also have a pair of Everests here just to keep my listening balanced ;o)

tks

Murray

[joeinid]

Welcome Murray,

I am glad you are enjoying your CR-1's and Devialet. They are awesome speakers. Almost too good

Joe

[rockitman]

Thanks guys. Do they ever come up on Agon or similar sites? My experience with cables is that if you can purchase them around half list, you may not have so much downside if they don't work out. Same for most gear actually!

BTW I also have a pair of Everests here just to keep my listening balanced ;o)

tks

Murray

Yes they do. Even the G5 LS-188 or LS-110 (My current cable) older series sound great and can be a real bargin. I wouldn't worry about a Classic or Royal Signature series not working out with your system sound wise.

[AudioExplorations]

Wow the Siltech product range is very confusing. The models for sale on the 2ndhand market do not really match up with what is currently on their website.

Any idea what the various acronyms mean?

[rockitman]

Classic Anniversary & Royal "G7 Alloy" are current models. G6 & G5 are older models, but the Classic and Royal lines still existed back then.

[AudioExplorations]

Yes I have CR1s. I'm driving them with a Devialet D-Premier / Stello U3 after downsizing from a dCS Paganini / Burmester 911 system - all the cables needed with that set up just got on top of me in the end.

Murray, what cables did you try with the CR1/911mk3 combo? Which did you find to work the best?

I personally am running Nordost Frey speaker and interconnect cables. I find them to be very resolving compared to some other speaker cables I have tried including the Kimber 8TC and Chord Chorus. I have a Burmester silver XLR interconnect but I find this a bit too forward with the CR1's (as others have mentioned with silver cabling in context of a TAD system).

I have been speaking with a TAD dealer who mentioned that Nordost and TAD don't really mix especially well. He specifically mentioned that Valhalla and Odin thinned out the sound and gave a more 'etched' edge making it less listenable over longer sessions, and that Tyr produced a more rounded and natural sound but offered far less resolution.

Given I have not done much testing with various cables I feel I might be able to improve the sound with more suitable cabling. What I am looking for in cables is high resolution and transparency. I may need to look into Siltech as in the future I will be more inclined to move to a full TAD setup however Rockitman mentioned they are smooth up top which sounds like it looses detail and resolution?

[joeinid]

Joost,

I've been evaluating Gary Koh's Absolute Fidelity cables and I am extremely impressed.

http://www.absolutefidelity.com/loudspeakerinter.html

Big, wide sound stage. Smooth detail with precise voice and instruments. Way better than my Transparent Audio cables. Right now they are at the top of my list.