MIT Terminator or MIT avt3?

erniejade
erniejade Posts: 6,321
edited January 2011 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I am looking at some speaker cables to replace my audio quest type 4. I am seeing the older MIT Terminator 2's a lot on the used market but for a little bit more money, I can get the AVT3's. What one would I be better off with? Has anyone had both? What one is a better product?

Off the bat, I see the T2's are thicker, and look stiff or hard to move around. I think they are around 12+ years old and the boxes on them look huge also! The avt 3 boxes look smaller and a bit easier to twist around but, what one will produce a better sound?

What am I looking for or what do I like? I lean to a bit warmer sound. With the JMLabs cobalt 815 I picked up, or the SDA's they are both on the brighter side of things. The bass is fine on both but, I do tend to prefer a warmer sound.
Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
Post edited by erniejade on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited January 2011
    erniejade wrote: »
    I am looking at some speaker cables to replace my audio quest type 4. I am seeing the older MIT Terminator 2's a lot on the used market but for a little bit more money, I can get the AVT3's. What one would I be better off with? Has anyone had both? What one is a better product?

    Off the bat, I see the T2's are thicker, and look stiff or hard to move around. I think they are around 12+ years old and the boxes on them look huge also! The avt 3 boxes look smaller and a bit easier to twist around but, what one will produce a better sound?

    What am I looking for or what do I like? I lean to a bit warmer sound. With the JMLabs cobalt 815 I picked up, or the SDA's they are both on the brighter side of things. The bass is fine on both but, I do tend to prefer a warmer sound.


    For the price point, the AQ Type 4s are hard to beat...and aren't the MIT AVT3s around the same cost?

    If so, I don't think you are going to get a good return on your money by scrapping the Type 4s and switching to AVT3s...not that I'm knocking MIT as I run them thru out my rig as well.

    But, an 'ugprade' may mean ponying up the coin to get where you want to go.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited January 2011
    Thank you that is exactly what I am looking for Is this worth the extra, is this an upgrade over the type 4.

    I also have a set of older audio quest Crystal bi wire.. Another great sounding cable but stiff and difficult to work with. I think they actually have an edge over the type 4's on my 1.2's but on my carver amazings, the type 4's sound better ( synergy LOL )

    The ones I was looking at are the bi wire versions of the avt3 and the bi wire version of the t2's.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited January 2011
    erniejade wrote: »
    Thank you that is exactly what I am looking for Is this worth the extra, is this an upgrade over the type 4.

    I also have a set of older audio quest Crystal bi wire.. Another great sounding cable but stiff and difficult to work with. I think they actually have an edge over the type 4's on my 1.2's but on my carver amazings, the type 4's sound better ( synergy LOL )

    The ones I was looking at are the bi wire versions of the avt3 and the bi wire version of the t2's.


    I googled some on-line pricing and AVT3s are about x2 the cost of Type 4s, but I don't think you are going to notice x2 in noticable gains.

    What is your budget pain threshold in your quest for an 'ugprade'? :tongue:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited January 2011
    LOl i found some for 349 for the set of bi wire. Got to love audiogon
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited January 2011
    Forgot and I found the t2's for like 200$ on the gone also.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited January 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    For the price point, the AQ Type 4s are hard to beat...and aren't the MIT AVT3s around the same cost?

    If so, I don't think you are going to get a good return on your money by scrapping the Type 4s and switching to AVT3s...not that I'm knocking MIT as I run them thru out my rig as well.

    But, an 'ugprade' may mean ponying up the coin to get where you want to go.

    I disagree AQ Type IV is nice but Terminator 2 or AVt 3's would certainly be an improvement. The AVt line is basically a modern version of the discontinued Termintor line. I think they would match up favorably so go for the better priced model. Don't pay a lot for early Terminator 2's that are white or beige. The last series of Terminator's had ridged gray or black boxes with gray or black cabling and mesh on the outside. Those are hard to find used.

    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!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited January 2011
    erniejade wrote: »
    Forgot and I found the t2's for like 200$ on the gone also.

    Are those the white one's? If so, those are about 15 years old. You could do better for $200, IMO. MIT's hold their value
    "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!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited January 2011
    Thanks for the opinion. I think i might go for the avt3 then for 349. I do like the interchangeable connectors that is for sure.

    yep the white ones. They looked a little rough on the outside.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited January 2011
    erniejade wrote: »
    Thanks for the opinion. I think i might go for the avt3 then for 349. I do like the interchangeable connectors that is for sure.

    yep the white ones. They looked a little rough on the outside.

    Earlier MIT's don't have the Iconn ends (interchangeable). That's a plus, IMO

    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!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • acmf74
    acmf74 Posts: 936
    edited January 2011
    I also was thinking of trying out some MITs. I'm not sure if there would be any improvement over my Signals...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited January 2011
    I wish I could help you acmf74. I have not heard the signal calbes but, I have heard great things about them.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited January 2011
    acmf74 wrote: »
    I also was thinking of trying out some MITs. I'm not sure if there would be any improvement over my Signals...

    Any MIT should be an improvement over Signal's. I used Signals for awhile and liked them, but the MIT's are sooooooo much better.

    YMMV, based on gear. Some gear doesn't resolve enough to really notice a difference and if you are talking HT, the payoff may not be worth the investment.

    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!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • acmf74
    acmf74 Posts: 936
    edited January 2011
    Thanks H9...

    I'm very happy with Signal but I always want to try out something new. When I get some external amplification I defiantly want to try out some MIT.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited January 2011
    I gave Joe a call since many people on here say always go to him before anyone else and he hooked me up for a little cheaper actually.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dcoil
    dcoil Posts: 153
    edited January 2011
    erniejade wrote: »
    I gave Joe a call since many people on here say always go to him before anyone else and he hooked me up for a little cheaper actually.

    Ok, who is Joe? I'd like to check the prices as I'm interested also:smile:
    SDA SRS modded: X’ovrd, de-polyed, inductorized, interconnectorized, re-posted, dynamited, RDO’d, spiked, gasketed, ringed (Larry's), and grill cloth blinged! Done this on my own? Not a chance. Thanks to Raife and all who forged easy to follow upgrades. At least a 100% improvement in sound and my personal listening pleasure! :cheesygrin:Pass XP-10 preamp, Parasound A21 amp, Pioneer Elite DV-58AV (Ric Shultz modded), Audioquest Sky IC's, No longer need my Sunfire sub after mods...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,313
    edited January 2011
    Joe Abrams:
    "Your Friend in the Business"
    1-(888) 737-4434

    Equus Audio
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter