Ben's ICs

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited February 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
Finally got a chance to really listen to Ben's ICs. I'm not going to go into a proverbial confabulation of adverbial praise with any kind of review, but I will say that these are the best damn interconnects I have ever had in my system. Granted I was scared when they sounded a bit edgy after I first dropped them in, but they mellowed out and really permitted the top to bottom presentation I demand from my system.

Kudos for making such a great product with build quality and performance that makes the competition look like twine. I'm going to come right out and say this now. I used to be all about Signal Cable. I guess I still am for speaker wire. But, if you got a need for ICs, Signal's current Analog II or Silver designs can't compete with Ben's Georgian goodness.
Post edited by SolidSqual on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2008
    I agree, they are some fine sounding cables.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    Thanks Bro. They were even made in the USA:p SS is a top notch dude, and was very patient with my burn issue that put a damper on me getting them done timely. Thanks SS. Now back to buying American debates:eek::D
    Ben



    PSST buy american:D
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2008
    I'll be getting some soon Ben. I almost got some AQ...but I am going to wait and get a pair from you.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    AQ has some great speaker cables, and I hear their DBS IC stuff is real nice, but a bit pricey. I have a friend or two coming down from NC. Maybe you could hook up. It should be in a week or two. If interested shoot me a PM. As always my guests can crash here.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited December 2008
    I have heard nothing but good things about Ben`s cables.....

    I hear the build quality is outstanding , and the sound good too !!!

    Maybe one day when I get some coin, I will see if I can talk Ben into making a special set for `ol beardog !!
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • andrew_mac
    andrew_mac Posts: 95
    edited December 2008
    Face wrote: »
    I agree, they are some fine sounding cables.

    X2 on that. Love them.
    Front - RtiA5's
    Surround - RtiA1's
    Center - CsiA6
    Sub - Velodyne DPS12
    B&K Ref 50 Pre
    Amp - B&K AV5000 II
    Ben's Silver IC's
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  • fossy
    fossy Posts: 1,378
    edited December 2008
    Ben's cables has certainly made a big difference in my system.I noticed an immediate difference upon adding them, but the beauty has really come about after some playing time.
    Music just seems more balanced & the cables after burn in seem to bring everything more forward.Highs are clearer , midrange- better focused & tighter bass.I almost want to get some Signal Silver speaker wires but that might be to much & mess up the nice sound I am enjoying now.I do have signal analog II's in the speaker wire positions.

    Highly recommend anyone even thinking/contemplating trying a pair or 2 of Ben's IC's to step up to the plate.They have done wonders for my little "warm" system.

    HK 3485, Original CD-A8 , PArasound HCA 1200 MkII ,Lsi9's

    Thanks again Ben, Michael
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  • fossy
    fossy Posts: 1,378
    edited December 2008
    uumm minor correction-- speaker cables are signal ultra:D:D
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited December 2008
    Which one of Ben's IC's did you listen to? I notice he has 3 different ones on his site...
    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
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited December 2008
    I have some rare speaker cables from Ben and am actually copying his bi-wire setup very closely. I bought his speaker cable specifically to run on the tweeters and was not disappointed. After that some other members were selling other silver cables from KAS and MAC and I took the plunge.

    Ben got me started on silver.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2008
    curved wrote: »
    Which one of Ben's IC's did you listen to? I notice he has 3 different ones on his site...

    He only has one kind of cable, but different connector options. ;)
    Jake
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited December 2008
    Just got in a set of Ben's cables he made up for me with RCA / !/4" terminals to hook up my Rane x-over. I must say the quality and looks are outstanding. Can't wait to get a listen.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2009
    Thanks to Ben for some quality cables. Sound great and are currently being "broke in".

    Adding these IC's and some audioquest type 4 speaker cables really made my 2 channel rig shine.:)
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited January 2009
    Add myself to the list of folks that really enjoy the end result Ben's cables can bring to a rig.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2009
    Glad you guys are enjoying them:)
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2009
    Got mine just before Thanksgiving, Connected between AVR and Carver-25, can't wait to get TFM-45 in place.

    They sound great and will be staying in my setup for a long time.

    Very happy !
    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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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited January 2009
    They do sound quite nice ;)

    The first thing I noticed was the detail (could hear all the instruments, etc very clear). Second thing I noticed was it had a bit more warmth. Lastly was the music wasn't fatiguing like it was before (I don't know how to explain it).

    Very happy here :)
    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
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • sandworms
    sandworms Posts: 1,043
    edited January 2009
    hey ben, trying to access the buy now portion of your page and keep getting an 1044 error? any ideas
    Samsung pn64f8500
    Sonus faber venere 2.5
    Sf venere center
    Oppo 105d
    Squeezebox touch
    Parasound hca1500a
    Apc power filter
    Audioquest cables asst
    Polk rtia3 SB
    Polk fxia6 sl,sr
    Dual hsu vtf3 mk3

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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2009
    sandworms wrote: »
    hey ben, trying to access the buy now portion of your page and keep getting an 1044 error? any ideas

    PM me I don't charge those prices to Polkies;)
    My web guy needs to fix that. I have been having that problem for a week.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    Ben, got the cables today! They sound amazing!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, my system is balanced! Too bad my preamp is busted . . . Oh wait, I have a spare.
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited January 2009
    Cant wait to get mine! Im running on Cheapo RCA cables from my dvd player. lol
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • bluecomet
    bluecomet Posts: 1,118
    edited January 2009
    I have one of Ben's interconnects for my SDA 1C's and it is excellent. I highly recommend it. Thanks Ben.
    Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
    Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.

    Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp

    Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2009
    After reading all these positive comments on ben's IC's over the past couple months...I'm thinking I may have to pick up a pair of them at some point. I'm using a pair from bluejeans right now...which is pretty nice, but I think I'd like to give the silvers a try eventually. I'm thinking after I get all of my RTi's for my HT setup, and get a new player...I might have to invest in some of these.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited January 2009
    I bought 5 pairs from Ben and it made a very nice change in my rig for analog listening. I'd recommend any of you guys that are just using from from the pre to amp, also try them in the source to pre position. F' HDMI or digital :p

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • SteveFord
    SteveFord Posts: 38
    edited January 2009
    I have nothing BUT Ben's interconnects.
    Recommended.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2009
    Steve do you have the older ones with the all orange braid, or the newer ones with the sheathing?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2009
    Geeze guys I catch myself on fire once in in 38 years(well seriously burned), and I have a feeling I'll never hear the end of it. Anyone want some eggs sunny side up:p
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2009
    What do you cook on?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • BIZILL
    BIZILL Posts: 5,432
    edited January 2009
    that rc truck took a biff upon landing...

    just wanted to chime in as well on ben's behalf. i made the switch from lamp cord to canare bi-wire set-up and things sounded so much better on the speaker wire front, in every way. i thought i had it all at the time. then i got me a set of 6 footers from ben but my rig changed and they would no longer reach. those were sold to njpolker unused and ben made me some 8 footers.

    i popped them on after leaving them sit on a shelf for two weeks and i don't know what i was waiting for! at first i heard nothing different. then after a few hours things just sounded more spacious, for lack of a better term. i do believe this is what sda's were designed to sound like. i was a doubter at first, but after reading everyone's reviews i just had to give it a try, knowing i could easily flip them if i didn't notice a difference.

    ...but these **** ain't goin' anywhere!

    POLK SDA-SRS 1.2TL -- ADCOM GFA-5802
    PANASONIC PT-AE4000U -- DIY WILSONART DW 135" 2.35:1 SCREEN
     ONKYO TX-SR805
    CENTER: CSI5
    MAINS: RTI8'S
    SURROUNDS: RTI8'S
    7.1 SURROUNDS: RTI6'S
    SUB: SVS PB12-PLUS/2 (12.3 series)
    XBOX 360    WiiPS3/blu-rayTOSHIBA HD-A35 hd dvd

    http://polkarmy.com/forums/index.php
    bobman1235 wrote:
    I have no facts to back that up, but I never let facts get in the way of my arguments.
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited January 2009
    I heard the difference immediately. I left them on for a couple of months, then lent a pair to a friend to try out. I put the AQ Corals back on the fronts in their place and listened for a couple of weeks. They are fine cables too, but when Ben's got back in place my speakers came alive again.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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