Transparent Audio Cables

xsmi

This is a name that I do not see around here. What are your thoughts on these? I'm seeing some excellent deals from a local retailer on closeouts from them.

mantis

I'm not a fan. But that doesn't mean they are not good quality cables.
Like MIT, they use technology I don't agree with. But you can find plenty of arguments that their technology is superior to all others like MIT feels about their designs.
I owned Transparent many years ago and back then they where so much better sounding to me then the full Monstercable wiring at had going on.
So for me it would really come down to how good the deals are? do I really need said cables?

treitz3

Hello, xsmi. I come from a different thought when it comes to Transparent. I started with "the link" which bested about 30-40 different cables I had tried up to that point, including some MIT, and they impressed me in my system enough to keep them in. I moved up the lineup while still trying MIT cables and the Transparent cables consistently sounded better, so I moved even further up the lineup until I got a set of Transparent Reference cables.

Those cables were my end game. I felt no need to continue moving up the line, though I knew better things would be had just based upon the progress of sound as I moved up the line. There just comes a point to where my wallet didn't match my desires. So, I got all TA Reference cables to outfit the rig and I enjoyed the sound for years without ever going through another change.

Only recently did I get a new component, which required a new set of cables. This time, I moved up the lineup and got some TA cables with the MM2 technology. These are still to be delivered, so I can not comment on the sound yet.

MIT did a good job but the one thing that I did not like was that (in my system) they colored the sound to a tone I did not prefer and the lower lineups were a drawback to the system and not an attribute, so out the door they went.

My thoughts are the opposite of Mantis' in that I will not use a cable without a network box. The 30-40 I had before all had zero network boxes and while they all sounded different, they were all substandard to Transparent's lowest lineup of cable in my rig. Compared to the top Monster cable? No comparison. Mantis and I see eye to eye on that one.

Tom

Joey_V

Good following and lots find Transparent to be their choice. Theoretically, they have a nice thought process behind their products. They add network boxes to allow the cable to disappear from the upstream chain.

Also, if you buy from an AD you get to upgrade for a minimal cost and you can also have them adjust the network boxes (if required) as you change your upstream components.

My understanding is that the higher end Transparents are "custom" based on the equipments connected.

tonyb

xsmi wrote: »

This is a name that I do not see around here. What are your thoughts on these? I'm seeing some excellent deals from a local retailer on closeouts from them.

There are more cable makers you never heard of than you can shake a stick at. Transparent is a well known brand many like in the mid to upper ends. Like everything though, it's a matter of flavor and synergy.

xsmi

An AD near me has the last generation 1/2 price NIB! I'm contemplating because I can outfit my rig in the $5-700 range instead of $1-1400.

tonyb

xsmi wrote: »

An AD near me has the last generation 1/2 price NIB! I'm contemplating because I can outfit my rig in the $5-700 range instead of $1-1400.

Usually certain brands of gear, cables included, have a certain signature sound that carries through out their line. My advice is to buy a used set, either speaker or IC's to see if you even like their sound before dropping that kind of cash.

xsmi

tonyb wrote: »

xsmi wrote: »

An AD near me has the last generation 1/2 price NIB! I'm contemplating because I can outfit my rig in the $5-700 range instead of $1-1400.

Usually certain brands of gear, cables included, have a certain signature sound that carries through out their line. My advice is to buy a used set, either speaker or IC's to see if you even like their sound before dropping that kind of cash.

They have a trial set. I may try to get those.

ptrooper

I run transparent mm2 reference through out except to my rear speakers..... 25 foot (transparent plus mm2)
Love the Transparents. They are there for life!

tonyb

ptrooper wrote: »

I run transparent mm2 reference through out except to my rear speakers..... 25 foot (transparent plus mm2)
Love the Transparents. They are there for life!

Good man, nice cables too.

Most the higher end cables don't get much air time around here mainly because of costs. On the used markets though, you can find some great deals at real world prices. Once you make that jump into better cables, there is simply no going back. Kinda like getting your first taste of a nice Napa reserve wine and then coming home to the Gallo jug.