MIT Shotgun S3.3 Cable Demo/Review Round 4

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,935
    edited January 2013
    I would not mind trying out these cables, but I don't yet meet the first requirement of more than six months of active participation since the end of February would be six months.

    Also I'm not sure that it would even be worthwhile since I only have TSi100 speakers.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited January 2013
    Does this mean they are for sale? LOL!!!

    LOL, not yet. We have 2 more that want to demo these.
    I would not mind trying out these cables, but I don't yet meet the first requirement of more than six months of active participation since the end of February would be six months.

    Also I'm not sure that it would even be worthwhile since I only have TSi100 speakers.


    PM sent. Of course, it's worthwhile.
    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

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  • IRLRaceFan
    IRLRaceFan Posts: 172
    edited January 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    Ok, at this point in time I don't have any more folks on the list. Have we reached the end of this demo program?

    I know I haven't been on here for awhile, but I can't believe less than 20 people have jumped on this opportunity...
    HT
    Onkyo TX-NR1008 | Magnepan 1.7 | Polk LSiC | Polk VM20 | Polk DSW microPro 2000 | Parasound HCA-2205A | Oppo BDP-93

    2-Ch
    Cary SLP 30 Tube Preamp | Polk LSi7 | Carver M1.5t | Audio-gd Digital Interface | W4S DAC-2 | MAC Mini | Denon DP300f & Pro-Ject Debut III TT's
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited January 2013
    IRLRaceFan wrote: »
    I know I haven't been on here for awhile, but I can't believe less than 20 people have jumped on this opportunity...

    I too, thought more would sign up, but what I can't believe is that not one of the cable naysayers has signed up, not one!
    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

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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited January 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    I too, thought more would sign up, but what I can't believe is that not one of the cable naysayers has signed up, not one!

    Of course they haven't. If they did then either of one of two things would happen. They would have to admit they have been wrong, or they would have to say their $599 total system isn't very revealing. :rolleyes:
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited January 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Of course they haven't. If they did then either of one of two things would happen. They would have to admit they have been wrong, or they would have to say their $599 total system isn't very revealing. :rolleyes:

    :biggrin:
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • Amherst
    Amherst Posts: 695
    edited January 2013
    The cables have been received from rromeo923. Thank you and good job on the shipping.

    I will spend the next two weeks giving these a nice run through in the rig....should be fun!
    Parasound C1, T3, HCA-3500, HCA-2205A, P/DD1550, Pioneer DV-79avi, Oppo BDP-83, WD Media Server W/HDD,
    Dynaudio Contour 3.3, Dynaudio Contour T2.1, Polk OWM3, Polk DSW micropro 1000 (x2),
    Pioneer Kuro 50" Plasma, Phillips Pronto Control w/Niles HT-MSU.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited January 2013
    MIT might be swapping the Shotgun cables for a new line of cables soon (less expensive), so if you wanted to get your ears on the Shotgun S3.3's, now would be a good time to sign up.
    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

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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2013
    Is there a noticeable difference between these and my shotgun s3's?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited January 2013
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Is there a noticeable difference between these and my shotgun s3's?

    I'm not sure which you are referring to. The S3.3's would be about the same as the S2's, so a slight step up. I believe the new line would be more like the AVt line, so the next line down from the Shotgun's.
    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

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  • Dabutcher
    Dabutcher Posts: 2,596
    edited January 2013
    I would be interested in trying out these cables? Is it too late? Thanks. D
    MIT Magnum MH-750, Monster HTS 5100MKII, Sony 77" Class - A80CJ Series - 4K UHD OLED,PS4, Def Tech 15” sub,LSIM 706c, Sunfire Signature Grand 425 x 4,Parasound hca 120, LSiM 702 x 4, Oppo 103D, SDA SRS 1.2, Pioneer Elite SC63 , Pioneer Elite BDP-05 “Why did you get married if you wanted big speakers?”
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  • Jason_k
    Jason_k Posts: 110
    edited January 2013
    I can't see why more people aren't trying this. Especially some of the naysayers, I would love to try it, but don't live in the U.S.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2013
    Jesse I will contact Spiffy and get him on the list. He needs to try these. He is fairly new so I am not sure he will qualify. If it matters I will vouche for him.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited January 2013
    Jason_k wrote: »
    I can't see why more people aren't trying this. Especially some of the naysayers,

    Good observation.....we all wonder the same thing. Must be the cost of shipping, that alone is more than some are willing to spend on cables.
    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
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited January 2013
    Jason_k wrote: »
    I can't see why more people aren't trying this. Especially some of the naysayers, I would love to try it, but don't live in the U.S.

    It's probably because the naysayers simply would rather believe what they read, or think they know. Not trying something new or different makes for a more convenient (though somewhat uneventful) life.

    I think back to what I listened to just a few years ago, compared to what I have now... wow.

    *ha, I like tonyb's reasons better lol *
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2013
    tonyb wrote: »
    Good observation.....we all wonder the same thing. Must be the cost of shipping, that alone is more than some are willing to spend on cables.

    Trust me. There are a few of us canucks who would love to get our hands on these for demo.

    With respect to the naysayers, they wont take part because it requires spending money that they morally don't believe in spending just to try them out. Nevermind actually purchase.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited January 2013
    Too busy here but this is a awesome opportunity to try some top of the line cable.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,935
    edited February 2013
    Cables received and connected to system. Special thanks to Jesse for the communication and assistance.

    Two weeks of sonic bliss, here I come!
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2013
    I'd love to give em' a shot after Clipdat! I've never had anything beyond Blue Jeans Cable in my system.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited February 2013
    Read and agree to the rules on the first page, then send me the required info.
    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

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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited February 2013
    Nuts! I completely forgot about this demo and this thread and was interested in the demo. Just this week I received my Shotguns from the falconcry man and I suppose I could have saved some money by just getting in line and give them a listen. These are some really big speaker hoses and an interface box the size of a loaf of bread...will probably knock my little lsi 9's off their stands. I've been reading the reviews and it sounds like all are having fun and most can hear the improvement. I'll keep an eye on this thread as I may have some questions.
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited February 2013
    ...will probably knock my little lsi 9's off their stands.

    No, they won't.
    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

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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited February 2013
    Excellent review blueboxer very honest..
    I also would like to try out some very expensive cables but sadly I'm sure that will never happen..
    blueboxer wrote: »
    First, let me apologize for using a fairly modest system to test out these cables, which may be disproportionately expensive for the system I am currently running. I tried to get a Wyred4Sound DAC and STI1000 in time for the review, but that did not work out. However, I think the DAC, preamp, and speakers involved are sufficient to be able to hear a difference if one is indeed present when switching cables. Secondly, I will admit to leaning slightly to the naysayers of speaker cable philosophy in the sense that thru the assorted cables I have used historically, I don’t recall ever having a watershed moment or miraculous breakthrough in performance. However, an opportunity to try some very highly regarded and fairly expensive cables via this demo could not and should not be passed. Thus, here we go…

    Equipment:
    iNova integrated (Sabre DAC, ipod dock, tube preamp, and stereo amp)
    Pioneer Elite SC-35 (used with Wadia dock as well as ipod directly connected)
    Polk LSi15
    Def Tech Mythos ST
    Wadia i170 transport (used with Pioneer Elite SC-35 only)

    Listening Room:
    20x20 room
    Speakers were approximately 8 ft apart, 3 ft from wall
    Listening position was approximately 6 ft. from speakers

    Speaker Cables Used in Demo:
    Monster XP cable with monster nanners.
    MIT EXP1 cables with MIT nanners.
    MIT Shotgun S3.3 with MIT nanners.

    Again, not the most impressive system, but I really am looking for a simplified system after dealing with components in the past and all the various interconnects that go along with it. It was a battle of finding the perfect combinations and resisting the urge to try another one of the myriad combinations of cables and components. I have thoroughly enjoyed the lack of a need to store and fumble with CD’s and everything else and after the Wyred4Sound upgrade I will probably call it fin. Apologize for that tangent.

    My listening material was a playlist of some of my favorite songs as well as those that I always enjoy listening for that extra detail, decay, or emotion that another piece of the puzzle may add. The list is as follows:

    John Mayer- Gravity
    Anouk- Lost
    Aaron Robinson- The Elephant
    Warren Zevon- Keep Me in Your Heart
    Adele- Don’t You Remember

    And then a few hours of mixes of Jack Johnson, B.O.B., Morgan Paige, etc… for non-critical listening.

    Methodology:
    I spent the first week of casual listening to help burn in the relatively new cables. Never really looking or taking notes. After the first week I would spend about 45 min. listening to each of the above referenced cables and then switching to another cable. At this point I was listening for subtle differences and preferences, which there definitely were. I took turns listening to the cables via the iNova and also the wadia and SC-35. On the last weekend I set aside time with the better half to really just sit down and listen to only the playlist as it ran thru one set of speaker cables at a time, and then did so again and again to really ensure that there was consistency in my thoughts and preferences. This process was completed for both sets of speakers listed above, but in the end I elected to spend all this listening time on the iNova.

    Results:
    In order of performance and preference:

    1. S3.3
    2. EXP
    3. Monster

    S3.3 Pros-
    Build quality is substantial
    Nanners and all connections yield solid hookups
    Sound is very detailed, with great separation of vocals and instruments
    Bass is solid and there was a reduction in the boominess (especially with the LSi15’s)
    The sound was neutral to me, which is a good thing IMO

    S3.3 Negatives-
    Cost for some
    The cables are substantial so tight fits and angles could be an issue for some
    They will make you doubt your current cables

    Conclusion:
    The Shotgun S3.3 were consistently my favorite cable, by a great difference in reference to the monster cables and less so with the other MIT cables. Returning to the monster cables always seemed to produce a veiled or muffled sound, however a couple friends who were present during the time actually preferred this sound and thought the bass seemed louder (to me it was boomier). Going to the MIT cables always seemed to produce more separation and detail with the S3.3 adding that extra level of rightness. Interestingly, the improvements seemed to be more marked and obvious with the Polks than with the Def Techs. I was actually hoping the S3.3 would add a touch of warmth to the Mythos, but I didn’t detect any.

    However, the MIT’s definitely improved the overall presentation of all of the music and songs. Was the improvement proportional to the cost difference? No, but there is always the law of diminishing return, and it definitely plays a part in this example as well. Would I recommend spending the difference? Absolutely, so long as your finances permit it, I would purchase a pair or at least a used pair. Could you live with a lower line of MIT’s such as the EXP lineup or perhaps an equal Audioquest, Cardas, etc. offering? Again, my answer would be absolutely, but we could also all live with driving a Honda Civic as well.

    I know that this doesn’t necessarily offer any clear conclusion, but most things in life aren’t. I will say that I am no longer a naysayer of cables, but still conscious of the law of diminishing return that would have to be associated with them. That rate of diminishment would also probably defer and not be as steep with a system that was more proportional to these cables. Personally, I will be looking on for a pair of these cables to keep as my own. Could I live without them? Yes, but why should anyone live without something that they enjoy and find worthwhile.
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited February 2013
    EndersShadow I think the LOTR scene you are using is not a good one as I can hear that with my TV speakers..
    You need to find something else to compare to..
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Recieved the cables Friday. Currently have 3 IC's for my fronts + center and the speaker cables on my 15's.......

    I wont say much since I have only 2 days of time on them...... but HOLY $HIT! LOTR Marathon on blu ray, FLAC via my computer...... yeah this demo was more than likely a bad idea for my wallet......

    Quick example of something I haven't heard before - LORT Fellowship of the Ring - when Frodo drops the ring in the snow and its picked up, I can HEAR the tink of the ring on the chain as it moves around......

    Hoping to get a couple folks together next week to listen to them to get their thoughts as well.....

    P.S. This is NOT my full review, just am friggin LOVING THESE CABLES... now back to the movie...
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited February 2013
    Wow what a shallow mind you must have believeing if you are a naysayer your system is Cheap..
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Of course they haven't. If they did then either of one of two things would happen. They would have to admit they have been wrong, or they would have to say their $599 total system isn't very revealing. :rolleyes:
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited February 2013
    Jhayman wrote: »
    EndersShadow I think the LOTR scene you are using is not a good one as I can hear that with my TV speakers..
    You need to find something else to compare to..

    Seriously? Thats what you have to say? And just about 9 months later to boot.... since ya know I posted that in May of last friggin year....

    I quantified a sound I heard I didnt hear previously, isnt that the point, I noticed something different?

    P.S. I wrote a bunch more stuff you probably missed in my review where I had a friend over and we listening to a blu-ray concert and FLAC files.

    Maybe next time dont skim so much....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    edited February 2013
    We have already determined that The Hyman doesn't need to actually read anything since he already knows it all. (That is if all equalled absolutely nothing).

    Jesse, PM incoming regarding this...no not our typical private bashing of The Hyman's latest guffaw...about the cable demo.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited February 2013
    I did read you FINAL review..before posting my comment..
    Don't be so quick to judge next time..
    I was mearly commenting on that post about THAT movie, because according to Bluefox if you did not hear that then you must have one of those $599 systems.
    so I joined only a month ago..Does that make it any less relevent?
    So i'm guessing you spent the $3000 on cables to hear the ring jostle around..
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Seriously? Thats what you have to say? And just about 9 months later to boot.... since ya know I posted that in May of last friggin year....

    I quantified a sound I heard I didnt hear previously, isnt that the point, I noticed something different?

    P.S. I wrote a bunch more stuff you probably missed in my review where I had a friend over and we listening to a blu-ray concert and FLAC files.

    Maybe next time dont skim so much....
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited February 2013
    I have to ask something what does the Network box do exactly to the cable?
    I've seen pics on the net of them ripping one open on a $9800 cable and half the box was empty and the other half had a resistor in it, a High quality one, but one resistor, and that is changing the dynamics of the cable, kind of like adding a DSP flavor of sorts..
    Oh and I read eveything so as long as it makes sense and not Hog Wash..
    ZLTFUL wrote: »
    We have already determined that The Hyman doesn't need to actually read anything since he already knows it all. (That is if all equalled absolutely nothing).

    Jesse, PM incoming regarding this...no not our typical private bashing of The Hyman's latest guffaw...about the cable demo.
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2013
    Jhayman wrote: »
    I have to ask something what does the Network box do exactly to the cable?
    I've seen pics on the net of them ripping one open on a $9800 cable and half the box was empty and the other half had a resistor in it, a High quality one, but one resistor, and that is changing the dynamics of the cable, kind of like adding a DSP flavor of sorts..
    Oh and I read eveything so as long as it makes sense and not Hog Wash..

    I've never seen the inside of one of the network boxes....do you have a link?

    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.
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