After searching high and low for the right cord for my Capitole I tried this one on the suggestion of a friend. It only cost 100.00 bucks, but I like it more than anything I've tried overall
Audio Magic Matrix
CD player and tube amps plugged into it
Elrod Power Systems Statement II
for the matrix conditioner
Audiopax Model 88
30 watt SET
Grand Prix Audio Monaco Amp stand
One each for the Audiopax 88s
Grand Prix Audio F1 formula carbon fibre shelf
one for each amp stand
Grand Prix Audio Apex
for the amp stands, unbelievable improvment
Argent Pursang
8ft single wire run
Elrod Power Systems EPS 2 Signature
2 of them for the amps
Avantgarde Duo 2.0 mkII
White ABS (no paint)
Grand Prix Audio Apex
replaced stock feet on the Duos with Apex
Elrod Power Systems EPS 3 Signature
for the powered subs
Argent Jaden Signature jumpers
replaced stock Avantgarde jumpers with custom built Argent Audio jumpers
Amazing how one can improve a great sounding system. I know nothing of the Audience power cord that you are using on your CD player, but given the "heavy hitters" you are using everywhere else, is the Audience a special match? Have you considered an Argent Audio Brujo? It is wonderfully musical like the Pursang interconnects - a tone and timbre champ.
Congratulations on the state of your system. You have a right to be proud. Any possibility of some pictures?
I agree with you that with speakers as big as the Duos and having the bass integration issues that the Duos have, room acoustics are extremely important. I also have no doubt that the Acoustic Zen cables you have sound very good. My only reason for making other cable suggestions was that if you ever get restless (as some of us can't help but get), I think you might realize more bang for the buck with cabling, especially since your system is so sensitive. I would add this to my prior post: I'm not particularly fond of Coincident interconnects, although they represent good value for the money. However, the Coincident TRS speaker cables are a different story. Really good. Ric Cummins' cables - speaker cable and interconnects - may be better still, but I have not heard them on the Duos. I use Ric's interconnects in my system (Ayre D-1; Groove phono stage; First Sound preamp; Art Audio PX-25 amp; Beauhorn Virtuoso speakers with add on Visaton tweeters and REL subs), and they are outstanding.
Quite a set-up, much of which I have heard before, although not altogether like yours. The Duos and Audiopax showed together at CES this past January. Was that a part of your inspiration in putting together this system?
May I be so bold as to make a recommendation on possible cabling changes? I listened to the Acoustic Zen speaker cables on the Duos quite extensively , and I have also listened to the Acoustic Zen interconnects at some length (although not with the Duos). While the "airiness" of these cables is initially impressive and might seem to be a good match with your set-up, I think they lack the drive and dynamics to really make your Duos do what they do best (sorry for the lingo!) - that is reproduce the great dynamics of music so as to make the performances sound fantastically immediate (where appropriate). Everyone who heard the same set-up I did (about 8-10 people) felt that Coincident TRS speaker cables really did great things with the Duos - certainly much more than the Acoustic Zen. They're not cheap, but not as expensive as your Acoustic Zen speaker cables -significantly less, actually.
Another speaker cable and interconnect line you might consider is a new silver based cable (recently named "Jaden", I believe) manufactured by Ric Cummins of Argent Room Lens, Rosinante Dark Matter and speaker fame. They have the incredible detail that just about all well made silver cables have, but the dynamics and tonal balance of these cables is superior to any other silver cables I've heard. Again, not cheap in absolute terms, but really not that much relative to the beautiful and expensive system you already have. If interested, contact Ric Cummins at [email protected]
