Speaker and interconnect cables
Tue, May 1 2012, 1:27PM
Hi folks,
A simple question? Is there anyone out there who uses Nordost "Solar Wind" speaker or interconnect cable? I use them with fairly high-end components - Arcam CD player, Quad pre amp and amp and ProAc speakers - and am getting a very bright sound. Upper strings on orchestral CDs contain a high level of distortion, especially on vintage recordings such as Mercury "Living Presence", but also on recent digital stuff. I have tried Rothwell attenuators between the player and pre amp, but to no real effect. I am wondering if my Nordost cables are to blame. They were costly, but I would change them if I were to get less upper frequency stress. It certainly isn't the sound I would like to get from this system. Fintan
Tue, May 1 2012, 5:05PM
#2
RE: Speaker and interconnect cables
Hitters, Thanks for you prompt reply. You appear to have been a kindred spirit with ProAc speakers and the same treble problem. My amplifier is the Quad 909 a powerful monster, but you could well be right that the ProAc speakers are the problem. I did audition them and chose them, but "after the event" saw a review of the Quad 909 which warned that it needed care in the choice of speakers. Thanks again. Fintan
Tue, May 1 2012, 10:31PM
#3
RE: Speaker and interconnect cables
Well, Fintan, the 909 is certainly a super-fine amp (I am very keen to Quad, having owned a 405-2 + 44 for many years). Anyway, matching a pair of speakers with the right amp might prove a tough job. IMO, ProAcs are not easy to drive ones.
But one thing is for sure: the cables are not the cause of your shrill string sound.
Sat, Jun 9 2012, 2:41AM
#4
RE: Speaker and interconnect cables
High inductance in a speaker cable can result in a 'bright' and 'fatiguing' sound depending on the amplifier speaker combination. Before you buy and sell out equipment, I would try connecting some basic 12 guage copper speaker wire and then from there decide which way you want to go with your cables.
I used to have the very same problem with massive strings on ProAc speakers.
I changed cables to Van den Hul and that seemed to tame them a bit, but not in a conclusive way.
The problem was finally the amplifier. Seems to be my ProAcs were not easy to drive, and my Primare i30 simply did not have the guts to do it. That was very evident with massive strings, that sounded thin and a bit stressed, as you well put it.
I changed the amp and everything fell into place. The very same speakers sounded magnificently with a tubed Copland, with a huge Plinius or a powerful Aragon.
So my guess is that you won't solve the problem if you begin with the cables. Cables may make a difference, but not as big as you expect. They are just a way of fine-tuning your system.
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