Transparent MusicLink Plus ICs

zingo

I'm trying to figure out which new ICs I should upgrade too from my Cardas Crosslink. They will be between my Shuguang 300B Treasure integrated amplifier and Audio-gd NFB-7 DAC (feeding PS Audio Xstream Prelude speaker cables and custom Klipsch Forte speakers). I like the Cardas, and wouldn't be against moving up the chain, but also think it would be fun to try something different, and will be using RCA (unbalanced) connections.

I found these on Transparent MusicLink Plus ICs on Audiogon which would be an upgrade, but possibly priced a little too high? I've heard good things about Transparent Cables and have heard them on a Wilson Audio/Audio Reseach system with good success, but that's apples to oranges to my system.

Opinions?

dorokusai

I'm not a fan of Transparent since they are just ex-employees of MIT and due to "creative differences" split. I don't believe their cables perform better than MIT or even close so I've dismissed them personally. A copycat cable is all they are to me and they fail aside from being an actual cable. Yes, I've owned some of their low to mid cables...however, I've heard from a couple friends that the ultra-high end cables are even better than MIT. I'll never be in that position so I can only pass on what I've heard.

If you can pick them up at a good price, which is not what it sounds like from your description, buy them and decide. Otherwise, I'd stick with your Cardas which is a very nice cable. Why not upgrade within the line you already know? Or are you wanting to try new things?

If the new idea is what you want....go for it.

m

zingo

Good to know; thanks.

What do you think about DH Labs? They seem to offer a good products as it is used as an OEM cable by a number of other audio cable sellers. Plus, their prices seem very competitive given their silver over copper design.

dorokusai

There was a guy on here that made cables with DH Labs cable and the results were said to be good. I believe it's solid cable, along the lines of other DIY stock cables like Audioquest.

vc69

I am using the MusicWave IC and speaker cables in my system. Compared to the Cardas (gold) and a prototype I have access to, they are a little more laid back. The cardas cable seems to "disappear" a bit more. I like the Cardas better, but in my price range, the Transparent outperform anything else I have tried. In other words, in MY system, the MusicWaves are mighty awesome. I think they may tame a little "glare" I have with my BDP-83 that the ARC CDP doesn't exhibit. I use the Cardas with the ARC.

Personally, I'd get em and try em.

zingo

I made the seller of the Musiclink Plus ICs an offer he couldn't refuse, and he didn't. So, I'll be demoing them with my system, and as I've always advised Polkies; you don't know until you try it. The Transparent's aren't the cheapest ICs, although used always helps, but I am looking for more-or-less a keeper as I seem to be dialing in my system more and more. I hope they sound good, but only the demo will tell. (And luckily the price I paid for them would be a fair resale if they don't work out)

Thanks for the thoughts doro, but Transparent has been one of those brands I've always wanted to try, and either way I'll be improving my system or putting that idea to bed. Plus, the DH Labs stuff is cheap enough that I may do both...

dorokusai

I agree...if you want to try them....get them. Everyone's system is different.

zingo

dorokusai wrote: »

I agree...if you want to try them....get them. Everyone's system is different.

It's the only way you'll know for sure.

polkatese

Zingo, before I got introduced to MIT, I have my two channels system wired by Transparent MusicLink. I still have 3 sets of them, using one set for my TT setup. I found MusicLink Plus to be "polite" for my taste.

Let me know if you like 'em and need some more. I just need to thin out my stash and got too many spare MLP.

zingo

So you still have some spare MusicLink Plus ICs? I may be interested.

If you thought they were too polite, it might be a good mix with my horns...

polkatese

yep. I like the "raspiness" of Signal Cable Analog II and the "machoness" of MIT S3.

I will keep a set for stash but definitely will put the other to interested party.

treitz3

Just an FYI, Wilson's use Transparent cables within their speakers.

zingo

I didn't realize that; I know that most of the Wilson systems I've heard used Transparent Cables.

dorokusai

They could use anything and still sound awesome....it's just marketing.

vc69

If you don't like them let me know. I'll likely take them if nobody else is in line. I like them.

zingo

dorokusai wrote: »

They could use anything and still sound awesome....

Even coat hangers?!?

dorokusai

zingo wrote: »

Even coat hangers?!?

That's almost what Anti-Cable is and in that case NO since they sound awful. I'm speaking in generics but even Monster Cable would be the same but they don't market to that crowd....they market to the Transparent crowd, who would scoff at anything labeled "Monster". I may get sued by Noel Lee for just saying that.

zingo

I'm excited to demo the cables and report back on them verses the Cardas Crosslink and any other ICs I get my hands on in the next month; not apples to apples I know, but it will work.

dorokusai

I believe it's a worthwhile demo and would be interested to read what you hear.

zingo

I contacted Darren at DH Labs also to see if I can make this a three-way event with a pair of his ICs. Should be interesting...

zingo

...plus the Esoteric E7 IC which I forgot about.

fbm211

Ive made a few of the D-75 and D-110 cables and they now belong to other polkies..I got my Q-10 signature cable direct from DH Labs and darren is a cool guy and even gave me deals on the cables and connectors.I use the revelation ICs and I have to say its one of the best ICs Ive heard.
Solid company and great customer service.

Try the revelation ICs if you can get your hands on them.The air matrix is a damn good IC too.

mantis

If your looking for something Different I suggest you try out Kimber Kable Hero's and Silver Streaks. They outperform the Transparent music links on many levels. When I owned both cables I found the Hero's to add a sparkle to my system. I had a new found high end that I didn't know I had. The Bass and mid range where close but the top end was where I noticed the difference.

I also own some cardos cables and they seem not to do anything wrong. They are clear and clean. I like em a lot. I fool around with them from time to time and test them against other things I have.

Also a very nice cable for musical abilities is Audioquest Jaguars , they don't make them anymore and have been replaced with Columbia series DBS which I have not listened to yet. So you will have to pick them up used. I might even have a few pairs laying around I'll have to check my stock. I got mad wire.

zingo

Thanks for your thoughts Dan. I never have tried Kimber, but they've also never been on my short list for some reason. I guess some brands and designs attract different people, and even though I've heard only good things about their cables, never have pulled the trigger; maybe next time. Audioquest is another brand that I'm never put much thought into for no reason; maybe because they sell them at Magnolia/Bestbuy? I may need to get my hands on a pair of both the above mentioned cables soon and expand my aural experiences.

I'm in the process of securing a pair of DH Labs Pro Studio ICs with Ultimate RCAs that should make a good comparison to the other cables, as well as an interesting listening experience in general as they are marketed to recording studios for transparency and immunity to noise.

zingo

zingo wrote: »

I'm in the process of securing a pair of DH Labs Pro Studio ICs with Ultimate RCAs that should make a good comparison to the other cables, as well as an interesting listening experience in general as they are marketed to recording studios for transparency and immunity to noise.

Secured.

mantis

zingo wrote: »

Thanks for your thoughts Dan. I never have tried Kimber, but they've also never been on my short list for some reason. I guess some brands and designs attract different people, and even though I've heard only good things about their cables, never have pulled the trigger; maybe next time. Audioquest is another brand that I'm never put much thought into for no reason; maybe because they sell them at Magnolia/Bestbuy? I may need to get my hands on a pair of both the above mentioned cables soon and expand my aural experiences.

I'm in the process of securing a pair of DH Labs Pro Studio ICs with Ultimate RCAs that should make a good comparison to the other cables, as well as an interesting listening experience in general as they are marketed to recording studios for transparency and immunity to noise.

I have a pair of DH labs Silver Sonic speaker wire and I gotta tell you they are one of my very favorite. They sound so natural and clear. They have been in my system for about a year now and I have had no desire to change them out. I may pick up some Audioquest Premades as I'm kinda on that wire change time. But dude those DH labs are very nice , they may stay.

My entire system is Audioquest right now with the exception of the DH lab speaker wire.

zingo

Which speaker wire of theirs?

mantis

zingo wrote: »

Which speaker wire of theirs?

http://www.silversonic.com/docs/products/T14.html

zingo

I've heard good things about the T14. With the Pro Studio ICs, I also opted for a pair of Darren's Q-10 Signature speaker cables. It should be a very interesting comparison to my PS Audio cables as they are the same gauge conductors.

zingo

Cable Comparison Update:

I am in the process of acquiring a pair of PS Audio Transcendent ICs, so the cable comparison will be with the following RCA interconnects:

Cardas Crosslink (stranded multi-gauge copper), Transparent MusicLink Plus (stranded copper with network), DH Labs Pro Studio (heavily shielded and grounded silver plated stranded copper), Esoteric Audio E7 (solid core silver plated copper), and PS Audio Transcendent (solid core silver).

vc69

That is gonna be a good shootout. I believe you have a wide array of cable types. Certainly enough to be able to hear some major differences.