Added a pair of Audioquest King Cobras

kevhed72

I recently added a pair of these between my CDP and AVR. I previously was using a pair of AQ Sidewinders, and I consider the King Cobras a pretty nice upgrade. The biggest gains I noticed were a more defined bass guitar on many songs, and the soundstage seems to have widened a bit.
The one questionable aspect of these ICs is the connections - they are noticeably looser than the Sidewinders. Has anyone else experienced this with higher-end AQ ICs?

Outfitter03

I originally bought Audioquest Green which I believe is either a custom manufactured product or closeout item as well as copperbacks from HCM Audio. Both of these products have a nice tight fit. They have a solder based RCA connector with copper Pins.

I now also have a set of AQ Diamondback connectors that I run from AVR to Amp and they are very loose as you described. They are the "Ultrasonic" soldered units with the Silver connectors. Sound pretty good but fall off easily.

I wish I would have had the spare cash and timing to pick up those MIT S3 that Mole sold yesterday. Would like to compare a set of MIT with these AQ before I go further up the food chain.

sm88

I've been looking to pick up some King Cobras, I have the Black Mamba's which use the same sort of plug but are not cold welded, don't have the silver drain wire, and use a different geometry (same copper though). Also curious on your thoughts of MIT so please post a review when you get them, I am 1000% skeptical of their design, but I have an open mind so impressions would be appreciated!

tonyb

Your skeptical of MIT's design ??

Look around the board,use the search, plenty of threads of MIT owners and comments on the sound. Yes they are a premier brand but upgrades in SQ can be had at much cheaper levels too.

sm88

tonyb wrote: »

Your skeptical of MIT's design ??

Look around the board,use the search, plenty of threads of MIT owners and comments on the sound. Yes they are a premier brand but upgrades in SQ can be had at much cheaper levels too.

I've also read about an audio show where a blind test of MIT against home depot zip cord was indistinguishable, but there are always opinions on both sides of the fence. I suppose "i'll believe it when I hear it" is the best approach for me, i'll have to pick up some MIT and give them a try.

There were three sets I believe of Terminator 3 IC's locally a little while ago for like $50 but I found them to be an older model and passed.. can you help me out with the different "levels" of MIT? I'd be looking mid range, around $150-200 new

kawizx9r

Outfitter03 wrote: »

I originally bought Audioquest Green which I believe is either a custom manufactured product or closeout item as well as copperbacks from HCM Audio. Both of these products have a nice tight fit. They have a solder based RCA connector with copper Pins.

I now also have a set of AQ Diamondback connectors that I run from AVR to Amp and they are very loose as you described. They are the "Ultrasonic" soldered units with the Silver connectors. Sound pretty good but fall off easily.

I wish I would have had the spare cash and timing to pick up those MIT S3 that Mole sold yesterday. Would like to compare a set of MIT with these AQ before I go further up the food chain.

Mole had a pair of MIT S3's for sale? When?

I just sold a pair yesterday.

sm88 wrote: »

I've been looking to pick up some King Cobras, I have the Black Mamba's which use the same sort of plug but are not cold welded, don't have the silver drain wire, and use a different geometry (same copper though). Also curious on your thoughts of MIT so please post a review when you get them, I am 1000% skeptical of their design, but I have an open mind so impressions would be appreciated!

I wasn't able to compare a pair of King Cobra's or Mambas but I posted a thread last year reviewing AQ's Scarlet Vipers (audioadvisor exclusive), AQ Sidewinders, Ben's Silver IC's (which I'm told are better than the AQ's you mentioned owning) as well as a pair of MIT Shotgun S3's (that I had the pleasure of borrowing even though they were in a different league than the above cables).

Since then, I turned to MIT S3's and never looked back. I'd rather stick with them rather than go back to AQ, just my .02 if it means anything to ya.

The thread can be found if you look up threads I've started.

-Freddy

Edit: Here's the thread - http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92264

sm88

Thanks, once I get a DAC and Tube Pre i'll look into the S3's

Outfitter03

Sorry kawizx9r it was you not Mole' and at one heck of a price too. Makes trying out some MIT's affordable as they would resell quickly at that price if one did not like them.

In all my shopping they have been over $300.00 and if they show up on here, one must be quick as lightening to snag them.

Outfitter03

Thanks for the link. That seals the deal for me that I must try at least one pair of the S3's before trying anything else.

Polkitup2

kevhed72 wrote: »

The one questionable aspect of these ICs is the connections - they are noticeably looser than the Sidewinders. Has anyone else experienced this with higher-end AQ ICs?

I had the Audioquest Diamondbacks and also noticed that they were slightly loose on my gear. A decent sounding cable but I prefer the locking connections on my MIT cables.

michaeljhsda2

My King Cobras are not as snug as I would like them to be but they do stay connected.

kevhed72

michaeljhsda2 wrote: »

My King Cobras are not as snug as I would like them to be but they do stay connected.

Well, at least it isn't just me. Seems odd for a higher end cable, unless it is by design. Oh well, its the sound that matters in the end:)