Matching IC per component ( Yep another cable thread)

erniejade

It seems to me the general consensus for cables is to stick with all matching but, how many people mix and match for each component? I have wireworld eclipse 7, Acoustic Zen Matrix II, and wireworld eclipse silver 7.

On my warm sounding system the Lumin d1 for me didn't have enough on top so I picked up a wireworld silver 7 and put it on the lumin. It helped open up the top end and midrange over the AZ matrix I had on it. I then tried the same silver 7 going from my Vi dac ( was using eclipse regular) to the preamp. Not a good match. The top end to me actually got a bit nasty sounding and just harsh all around. I put the AZ on the Vi and it brought it in line nicely. Tamed the top end down and it had a much better midrange bloom. From the preamp to the amp I have one of the wireworld eclipse but because I would need a 6 foot cable, I could not try the matrix or the silver in that spot.

Anyone else using different cables to tame down, make more on top, or whatever it is you are trying to accomplish sound wise?

Emlyn

I keep the same brand and level of cabling between pre and amp and amp and speakers. That is the IC's and speaker cables. I do "tune" from source components with interconnects sometimes but generally stick with the same brand.

That is with two channel. Home theater doesn't matter as much.

tonyb

I think we had this discussion before Brian. I'm using the WW 7's from receiver to pre, Analysis plus crystal ovals from dac to pre, and the AZ Matrix 2 from pre to amp. My idea was to move the Matrix as close to the Satories as I could to match sound signatures, before that is just tuning before it hits the amps and speakers. Having tried other arrangements, this is what works for me and I have no problem combining brands.

After all, if something doesn't synergize well with a component, you going to change out ALL your cabling until you can match it ? Keep changing components until something synergizes with your cabling ? That would get pretty expensive and quick. Then say you get a new dac or pre, going to change everything out again if that doesn't float your boat ?

To me anyway, it's much easier to tailor the sound you want before it hits the amp and speakers. That's why I keep the speaker cables and IC's going to the amp the same, tune everything else to offset characteristics that you may or may not like.

Let's face it, when it comes to cables, there are always going to be things you like or don't like about their sound. If you like everything, count yourself lucky and stay put. Nothing wrong with adjusting the sound signatures of different brands by mix and matching to suit your tastes. My only other thought is they should all be of similar quality. Trying to offset the bad characteristics of a 50 buck cable with a 300 buck cable isn't going to work too well.

erniejade

Completely agree with you Tony. I was curious to see how many others do this or have this same philosophy.

kharp1

For me, the WW Eclipse 7 and Silver are what works best for IC's. I've tried others and have mixed and matched, but, found the WW to work best. Power cords are a different story. I just picked up the WW Electra 7 conditioning cord and felt it was too relaxed and slightly veiled. I tried it in the amp then the pre. When I get a little more time I'm going to put it back in and try it on the Marantz cd.

kharp1

Shunyata Venom, PS Audio AC-5, and the Pangea AC9-se, which I know you hate, but, I think has good sound quality.

I want to take a little more time and have a friend switch it back and forth to see if I'm hearing what I think I'm hearing.

Not to get too far off topic, but, probably going to pick up the PS Audio Power Plant 3 from Music Direct tomorrow while they're knocking off a grand.

kharp1

Honestly, I didn't give it enough time. Time has been in short supply the last few weeks. I do recognize the need to give it proper time in the system (the brand new AC5 was terrible straight out of the box) so I plan to put it back in and let it get settled in.

Joey_V

I am aiming for same AQ throughout but I have tried other brand interconnects with my WEL sigs speaker cables and they still sounded pretty good though lacking.

I don't have a problem mixing and matching but I prefer same company, same cable level if possible.