MIT Shotguns vs PNF Icon IC's
Ern Dog
Posts: 2,237
My rig is cabled with PNF's all around for almost a year now and I absolutely love them. I finally had an opportunity to purchase one set of MIT Shotguns S3 IC's and wanted to see how it compared to the PNF Icon IC's I'm using.
In my rig the IC that goes from source to preamp makes the most audible difference rather than the IC from preamp to amp- so that's the one I switched out. I started out with using the medium impedance setting since my preamp is rated at 50 ohms input.
These cables are already broken in. I listen to them for 5 days straight, then today I popped the PNF's back in. Guess what I found out......
They are BOTH excellent cables! The difference between them is very minute if anything to my ears. This was not what I was expecting. I thought the MIT's would sound better. If anything it seemed like the MIT's were a tad darker and had a hint of rolled off highs. Go figure. Again this was soo subtle that I don't believe I could pick out which in a blind test.
Now the cool thing about these MIT's is the impedance switch, so after this first evaluation I reset them both to low and we'll see how they perform with this adjustment. Then I'll try high. So to be fair this shoot out isn't over yet. Also the PNF's have an advantage because there is a synergy that happens when using all PNF cabling. Same is true for MIT's. To really even out the playing field I'd have to go all out with Shotguns with both IC's and speaker cables.
Take this review with a grain of salt, as somebody else may find totally different results in their rig with these two IC's.
More to come as I get more familiar with the Shotguns....
In my rig the IC that goes from source to preamp makes the most audible difference rather than the IC from preamp to amp- so that's the one I switched out. I started out with using the medium impedance setting since my preamp is rated at 50 ohms input.
These cables are already broken in. I listen to them for 5 days straight, then today I popped the PNF's back in. Guess what I found out......
They are BOTH excellent cables! The difference between them is very minute if anything to my ears. This was not what I was expecting. I thought the MIT's would sound better. If anything it seemed like the MIT's were a tad darker and had a hint of rolled off highs. Go figure. Again this was soo subtle that I don't believe I could pick out which in a blind test.
Now the cool thing about these MIT's is the impedance switch, so after this first evaluation I reset them both to low and we'll see how they perform with this adjustment. Then I'll try high. So to be fair this shoot out isn't over yet. Also the PNF's have an advantage because there is a synergy that happens when using all PNF cabling. Same is true for MIT's. To really even out the playing field I'd have to go all out with Shotguns with both IC's and speaker cables.
Take this review with a grain of salt, as somebody else may find totally different results in their rig with these two IC's.
More to come as I get more familiar with the Shotguns....
Post edited by Ern Dog on
Comments
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Interesting ---
I honestly didnt experience a positive difference with my cables until I had -all- of them, interconnects and speaker... that was then it really came together.
At that point it was a huge difference.- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
Good stuff, thanks for the review.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Very nice review. Ern Dog do you know if PNF is out of business? I posted a thread in the club house section that their site was pulled down and got no replies. I had read some of your earliier feedback on PNF cables and wanted to take a look. In reviewing the posts then I also found some delivery issues that people were experiencing.
There still is Audiogon to watch for used, but if most of the buyers are as satisfied as you they may be reluctant to let go of their cables.
You have an impressive two channel system by the way. Thanks for sharing this review. -
The MIT's were a little dark and rolled off in my system too. Also the sound stage was a little narrower. Like you system the biggest difference was between my source and pre. People need to try different setups in their systems though. What worked for us may be different for them.
BenPlease. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
Thanks for the review. For me, Ben's silver ic's have had great synergy in my system.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Thanks for all the comments.
I can only suspect that PNF went under. It wouldn't surprise me due to the growing number of orders not being filled that I read about on this website. Too bad because they made a nice product.
Trey- I think you're right on about the synergistic effect with the whole rig cabled with the shotguns.
Maybe someone on the forum would be willing to trade a whole Shotgun cabling system for my PNF cables for a month just to test drive them. I have two sets of 1 meter PNF IC's and a pair of 8 foot biwire PNF speaker cables. -
I wanted to weigh in also about the synergystic effects I've found using MIT from wall to speaker. MIT suggests the full effect of their various components will not be realized unless same grade components are used throughout the chain. My initial thoughts were that it was MIT marketing hype to sell more product, and I wanted to hear for myself.
I've experimented over the past 2 years with 6-8 brands each of power, interconnect and speaker cables. At each point, I've found MIT's to work best when used throughout the entire circuit.
I personally wouldn't characterize my Shotgun S2's (interconnects) as being "dark" as some above have stated, but I would characterize higher silver content wires as being brighter and might even use the word harsher. The MIT's are more neutral, and it is accurate to say not bright/harsh. In my opinion, neutral, but clear and revealing are the way I hear them. One characteristic of the MIT's (specifically my Shotgun S2 speaker interface cables) is noticeably improved bass, and not in terms of loudness, just a more focused, tightly controlled and pleasant bottom end. For me, the sound quality improvements have been equally noticeable using both SS and tube amplification.
I'll also share that I've received a lot of criticism from friends and especially family about the cost of cables, but they do end up in agreement that my rig's sound quality is clearly better. I've forgone a lot of nights out with friends and detuned a family vacation to fuel this hobby.
The best way to state my belief is that as funds allow, I vote with my wallet and move up the MIT ladder.
I also want to caution that non-systemic A/B testing of MIT IC's versus other brands may not reveal the entire picture. And as always, my experience is only with my specific system . . . your mileage may vary.VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
NAD SS rigs w/mods
GIK panels -
I agree that the benefits from using MIT cables are better when the entire rig is connected with them. Although, I have to say that I have heard vast improvements from a single pair of MIT IC's added to a rig, more than once.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Hey we should organize an MIT Demo so everyone could hear MIT throughout their rigs........aaaaaa...........hhhhhummmm...........nevermind.Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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phipiper10 wrote: »Hey we should organize an MIT Demo so everyone could hear MIT throughout their rigs........aaaaaa...........hhhhhummmm...........nevermind.
I thought we were...oops...my bad...:biggrin: -
Had them (Shotgun S2 speaker cables & IC's) heard them...sold them... they just didn't bring anything to the table as far as I was concerned. Everyone's rig is different & I'm certainly glad I gave them a shot in mine even though they didn't impress me."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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There are so many Shotgun fans on this forum, that I figured it was worth giving them a listen for myself to make my own conclusions.
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There are so many Shotgun fans on this forum, that I figured it was worth giving them a listen for myself to make my own conclusions.
That was exactly the same reason that I gave them a listen. I figured with so many MIT fan boys singing their praises that they must be on to something. Boy was I wrong. No big deal that I was dissapointed with them. I'm just glad that I recouped my money when I sold them."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
We are on to something, better sound.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
pearsall001 wrote: »That was exactly the same reason that I gave them a listen. I figured with so many MIT fan boys singing their praises that they must be on to something. Boy was I wrong. No big deal that I was dissapointed with them. I'm just glad that I recouped my money when I sold them.
Just shows that everyones gear and ears are different. My personal MIT experience was positive with both W4S, and Musical Fidelity gear. In fact, I just went all balanced wth my W4S set-up and at first bought some inexpensive Mogami ICs, bad move. Switched to MIT cables and all is well.
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We are on to something, better sound.
Nothing more than a subjective opinion...in which case mine disagrees completely. Not all manufactures products can please everyone. And if they could, this would be one boring hobby."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
it is always best to use the same cable throughout your rig.
I use MIT.
RT1 -
Thank you for sharing your experience with them. I tried to like MIT a few years ago and in the end I enjoyed them about as much as I like the end result of eating chips cooked in Olestra. Talk about a WTF moment in audio for me. They sure do make one hell of a neat jumprope though. I may just order some PNF stuff to try out and if it's a no go give them to my son or one of his friends.
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I enjoyed them about as much as I like the end result of eating chips cooked in Olestra. Talk about a WTF moment in audio for me. They sure do make one hell of a neat jumprope though.
My WTF moment was listening to B&W's, thought maybe someone shoved ice picks in my ears.............B&W's make great targets at the shooting range though. :rolleyes:
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
My WTF moment was listening to B&W's, thought maybe someone shoved ice picks in my ears.............B&W's make great targets at the shooting range though. :rolleyes:
H9
I agree. Nothing like shooting some lower end B&Ws and watching them splinter all over the place. We should meet up for a B&W shootathon.:biggrin: -
I agree. Nothing like shooting some lower end B&Ws and watching them splinter all over the place. We should meet up for a B&W shootathon.:biggrin:
A new member with a sense of humor and doesn't take this site or hobby too seriously. :biggrin:
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
A new member with a sense of humor and doesn't take this site or hobby too seriously. :biggrin:
H9
If I did take what you said seriously I would need to take my **** on down to mamby pamby land and listen to some Bose hooked up to some Emo amps,lol. -
If I did take what you said seriously I would need to take my **** on down to mamby pamby land and listen to some Bose hooked up to some Emo amps,lol.
Hmmm . . . pretty astute verbiage for a 31st post here at CP . . . a second username for an established member, perhaps? :biggrin:VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
NAD SS rigs w/mods
GIK panels -
inspiredsports wrote: »Hmmm . . . pretty astute verbiage for a 31st post here at CP . . . a second username for an established member, perhaps? :biggrin:
I second that all in good fun and opinions w/o BS... 2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
inspiredsports wrote: »Hmmm . . . pretty astute verbiage for a 31st post here at CP . . . a second username for an established member, perhaps? :biggrin:
New member as far as posting goes but I have stalked behind the scenes for years. I feel as if I know most of the regs here even though I only recently started posting. I know the ins and outs, everyones button,gear you have now or had in the past,etc. from reading thorough this site every week. I figured I might as well post a little and stop being a 'lightman' and hiding outside everyones window.:eek: -
prove it....name the WoodShed gear........waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
btw did you know Polk voiced their car audio speakers to a b&w...I do think it may of been the 802.
RT1
