Kimber Kable 1st Impession

Ern Dog
Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
edited April 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
I finally got an oportunity to listen to Kimber Kable 8TC speaker cable- I bought a used pair from Audiogon and have been listening to them for the past 4 days.

I wasn't expected such a big difference from my Signal Cable Classic, but there was. The most noticeable difference was that the bass was off the charts. So much so that I had to recallibrate my bass management system. It gave my Dynaudio's a boost in performance. The Maggies also sounded better with them too. Next I'm thinking about upgrading my IC's to Hero's.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2008
    Very cool. I love reading stories like this.

    Congrats on your new speaker cables. :)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited November 2008
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    I finally got an oportunity to listen to Kimber Kable 8TC speaker cable- I bought a used pair from Audiogon and have been listening to them for the past 4 days.

    I wasn't expected such a big difference from my Signal Cable Classic, but there was. The most noticeable difference was that the bass was off the charts. So much so that I had to recallibrate my bass management system. It gave my Dynaudio's a boost in performance. The Maggies also sounded better with them too. Next I'm thinking about upgrading my IC's to Hero's.

    I have thought about those cables for a while. I like my Kimber i/c's
    better than AQ, and have wondered about changing out the AQ cv-6's
    for these.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,195
    edited November 2008
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    I have thought about those cables for a while. I like my Kimber i/c's
    better than AQ, and have wondered about changing out the AQ cv-6's
    for these.
    I guess it depends on the system. I owned all of the above cables and found Audioquest to perform better in my system.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,195
    edited November 2008
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    I finally got an oportunity to listen to Kimber Kable 8TC speaker cable- I bought a used pair from Audiogon and have been listening to them for the past 4 days.

    I wasn't expected such a big difference from my Signal Cable Classic, but there was. The most noticeable difference was that the bass was off the charts. So much so that I had to recallibrate my bass management system. It gave my Dynaudio's a boost in performance. The Maggies also sounded better with them too. Next I'm thinking about upgrading my IC's to Hero's.

    the Hero's are amazing. I owned several pairs in my system years and for the money I think they are fantastic. The 8tc's are also very good and the bass comments are true. I noticed my bass response to tighten up and get more powerful on my Lsi15's when I had them. I used 8tc 8tc bi wires which where terminated with the Kimber Spades. They rules with the pressure design. I really liked them. I would build a system again wired all Kimber. There powercords are really nice.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited November 2008
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    Next I'm thinking about upgrading my IC's to Hero's.

    The Hero's a very good, but I replaced my Heros with DH Labs Silver Matrix ICs several years ago and still use them. They are less expensive than the Heros and better sounding, IMO. Since that time, I've tried a few different cables in the same price class, but I haven't found any yet that can dethrone the Matrix.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2008
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    I wasn't expected such a big difference from my Signal Cable Classic, but there was. The most noticeable difference was that the bass was off the charts. So much so that I had to recallibrate my bass management system. It gave my Dynaudio's a boost in performance. The Maggies also sounded better with them too. Next I'm thinking about upgrading my IC's to Hero's.

    interesting. I have had the classic since 2003 and thought about trying a new set. I thought about trying out the Ultra, but never get around it. I have a pair of MIT S3 that I have paired with LSi15, and been very happy with it (in terms of its presentation), have been thinking about getting another pair for my main HT which has SF Cremona, but want to find something else that is more cost effective. I wish the cable demo program is still in place. oh, well.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited November 2008
    I've been using the 8tc/hero combo in all of my rigs for years. I've tried other things, but always go back to this combo. Seems to be more true than others. This combo in my experience lets your gear to the talking... not your cables.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited November 2008
    Just for kicks, I took a pic of the Velodyne SMS-1 screen with my new 8TC's. Then with everything else exactly the same, exchanged the cables to my old Signal Cable biwire classics and took a screen shot of that.

    I compared the two versions and you can see that the 8TC's provides more bass information. This comparison was done with the subwoofer off, using only my Dynaudios. This is with the EQ feature disabled. Notice the volume at 15 hz with the 8TC's compared to the SC.
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2008
    impressive. and yet some people still believe that cable is cable, therefore it makes no difference.

    now you tempt me to try different cable again, and I thought I was done with upgrade.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited November 2008
    How are Kimber Kable PBJ interconnects? Anyone use them...
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
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    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
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  • BigMac
    BigMac Posts: 849
    edited November 2008
    curved wrote: »
    How are Kimber Kable PBJ interconnects? Anyone use them...


    I have used them in the past and thought they were good. To me they were a little harsh in the highs but overall a very good performer. Very good cables for the money and worth keeping for a backup if you currently own a pair. That was until I tried the IC from Luminous Audio. All the characteristics of the Kimber without the harshness and I felt the LA were more open. I tried both pairs hooked up to my NAD 2400PE THX amp and NAD 5100 cd player. Cd player is run right into the amp. I know my system is vintage but boy does it sound good connected to my 10b. I personally liked the LA better. I did demo a Cambridge 540c cd player and did not like the sound of it with either set of cables. It was harsh and grainy and thin on bass, kinda reminded me of a $50.00 Sony from years past.....imo.
    DON'T CLICK THIS!!
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited November 2008
    My gear seems better with Kimber hero ic's than AQ.
    Bass was fuller, and better sound overall. I should try the AQ again since changing preamps.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited November 2008
    Any you guys check out the new 12tc's ?
    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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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited March 2009
    I received an 8' pair of 12TC to demo - my dealer is very generous. I have yet to add to my system but will report back.
    [
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,195
    edited March 2009
    miner wrote: »
    I received an 8' pair of 12TC to demo - my dealer is very generous. I have yet to add to my system but will report back.

    thats one big effin cable man. 12tc is massive.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited March 2009
    It is about the size of my - ummm - forefinger. I only hope they will fit in my Dynaudio Stand4.
    [
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited March 2009
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    My gear seems better with Kimber hero ic's than AQ.
    Bass was fuller, and better sound overall. I should try the AQ again since changing preamps.

    Kimber Kable have Better Bass more Detail,AQ a bit smoother in the
    Highs,rounder in the Bass.
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,195
    edited March 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    Kimber Kable have Better Bass more Detail,AQ a bit smoother in the
    Highs,rounder in the Bass.

    I kinda agree with that but I go back and forth and like both. I like Kimber speaker cable better then Audioquest but not by much. I like the last word in bottom end detail with Kimber. Even with 4tc I think Kimber does a better job with my speakers, that could change when I change out the speakers.

    We shall see.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited March 2009
    Isn't it strange that we all hear the same differences with Kimber?
    Pretty odd, since it's all in our heads!:eek:
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,195
    edited March 2009
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    Isn't it strange that we all hear the same differences with Kimber?
    Pretty odd, since it's all in our heads!:eek:

    Kimber adds subliminial messages in there cables, it's built right in. So this is why we all hear the same thing when using there cables...;)

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2009
    I settled in on Hero/8TC a few years ago, and like them very much. If I ever get bi-wire speakers, I'll get a set of 4TC for the treble half...

    The Hero is just a little more tonally balanced than the PBJ, with fuller bass and a touch smoother treble. PBJ is a fantastic IC though, IMO.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,195
    edited March 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I settled in on Hero/8TC a few years ago, and like them very much. If I ever get bi-wire speakers, I'll get a set of 4TC for the treble half...

    The Hero is just a little more tonally balanced than the PBJ, with fuller bass and a touch smoother treble. PBJ is a fantastic IC though, IMO.

    I completely agree. The Hero's are fantastic sounding IC's. Such rich lush Bass and clear everything else. I really like those cables. The PPJ's are no slouch, they look like they could use a gym workout but man, they sound great as well.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2009
    Dan I actually picked up the Hero's to replace my PBJ's on your recommendation--good call man, I'm picky.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited March 2009
    Hero's are a great midpoint cable. Gains in performance start to get really expensive after that.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    Yep, they're just about as much as I want (am willing to) to spend.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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