frogfish said:
The Nordost is fast, lean and detailed, and is very different to Cardas. Either they will be a great match, where their strengths will combine for the better; or it will lead you into thinking that you would rather stay with all the cabling from one of them.
I would hope that the Cardas will "flesh out" the mid range a bit more making the sound more "analogue", while the Nordost will keep the speed and detail........it will be a very interesting combination, as people usually go with one brand or the other. You might have just stumbled on a great mix!
The reviewer in the link below loved Nordost SC with GR interconnect, not the other way around...
http://www.ultraaudio.com/equipment/cardas_golden_reference.htm
For me initial impressions (but is it just my imagination ?): the soundstage is bigger, the bass slightly fuller, and overall the sound is warmer I feel. Maybe there is a tad less detail than with the ringmat cables. I'll continue listening for a few days, see if my impressions evolve.
Also seems that GR is now gone from the Cardas product line, it is not a reference on their web page anymore...
http://www.ultraaudio.com/equipment/cardas_golden_reference.htm
For me initial impressions (but is it just my imagination ?): the soundstage is bigger, the bass slightly fuller, and overall the sound is warmer I feel. Maybe there is a tad less detail than with the ringmat cables. I'll continue listening for a few days, see if my impressions evolve.
Also seems that GR is now gone from the Cardas product line, it is not a reference on their web page anymore...
frogfish said:
Thank you for the link.
I think you are spot on with your "imagination". Sometimes the very slightly darker presentation, can give the impression of less detail, but it is not always the case. I find Cardas just sounds "natural", and can help a system sound less "digital".
The Golden Refs were their old "neutral cable", but with the introduction of the Clear range, it made the GR redundant. I see the Golden Cross is still there, but it is a "sweetened" less revealing cable, which I don't think would suit your taste.
If you like what the GR does, but would like a little more clarity and neutrality, there is the Clear Light (less expensive), the Clear (more expensive) and the Clear Beyond (their no holes barred, very expensive cable - the best they have ever made, and supposed to be a bit special)
My view is that if mixing it with Nordost, the GR should work well
After you have got your head around what you are hearing, report back with your thoughts...........your system is incredibly revealing, so any subtle changes should show up.
CnoEvil said:
I have them on loan for a week, and so far I am pleased overall. Currently listening to Keith Jarett, a recording that I find sometimes tiring as it is too bright to my taste, and now comes across smoother if you see what I mean...
One thing I was wondering about, do you have experience with replacing the original links provided by Kef ? Does that make a difference in your experience ? Should I look at getting Cardas links if that's the way I decide to go for the speaker cables ?
frogfish said:
I'm glad you like what they do - I personally think they work well with SS amps, and in particular, Kef Ref speakers.....imo they take the slightly brittle edge away (as you have witnessed), without sacrificing much in the way of detail.
IMO. It is absolutely essential to replace all the links at the back of the speaker.....use the links of what ever speaker cable you end up with, so yes, that would be the Cardas jumper cables, if that is what you get.
I hope you are getting a good price on the GRs, otherwise you should try the Clear Light, or even Clear.
I haven't discussed price yet but if I go ahead I hope that I can argue that given the model is discontinued they shoud give me the demo set at a very good price... Not sure I can get GR jumper cables though, but we will see !
frogfish said:
Talk it over with your dealer. Here are the range they do: http://www.cardas.com/jumpers.php
(probably the 9.5 AWG one)
@Frogfish
How are you getting on and have you come to a decision......did you get the links, and did they make a difference?
How are you getting on and have you come to a decision......did you get the links, and did they make a difference?
clinton333 said:
Things should be settling in nicely by now and hopefully sounding even better.......so I hope you are still happy with your choice?
CnoEvil said:
No I haven't made a decision yet, and have not pursued the links - Been busy during the week-end so couldn't focus on the SCs !
CnoEvil said:
Yes indeed; I have been dedicating a lot of my time to my system and I can honestly say I am very happy. :twisted:
The LS50's really are great and work brilliantly as rears in my system; fast punchy and detailed.
The front three however are just sublime, IMHO. Again puncy and rich with better imaging than I am used to and a faultless top end. I am deeply impressed with both AV (both movies and gaming) and music listening. So much so that I am really enjoying my 2 channel now after tweaking the 203/2's HF and LF adjustments to suit my room.Movies are awesome, right from epic action films to much more "tame" dialogue focussed ones. And I believe I'm getting an advantage playing Black Ops 2 as I can pinpoint the direction of ambient sounds... Love it! :dance:
I feel that I have gained after each progessive step I have taken with the system: Pre/Pro then Power Amp and now speakers; and I believe this last step has probably been the greatest positive difference. Each of the components of my system are great on their own merits but I think it's the matching of the system that has brought the best out of them and the most pleasure for me.
My only problem now is that my itunes doesn't seem to look in the correct folders (sometimes?) for music which can be very frustrating and has led me to think that an alternative storage method might be a next step, before a dedicated streamer. I was thinking of the AVA RipnPlay and then continue to use Itunes or the music server on my Oppo 105, which I am also really impressed with BTW. Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated, although this should be in a different thread.
I must also add that I can only imagine what your 205/2's and 204/2c would sound like; and that sub... 8)... I believe I could be persuaded :cheers:
clinton333 said:
I am delighted that someone else now agrees with my view that Arcam + Refs are a wonderful match and handle AV and 2 channel like little else at the price (imo).
At the time I bought the RipNas, it was better than the AVA product....but their new product may be as good now.
I rip everything to FLAC and the RipNas makes the whole thing painless.
I have not heard the Oppo, but would be supprised if it sounded as good as a dedicated streamer for similar money.
IMO. If two channel is more important, your next upgrade should be the source; if AV, it should be the Sub.
frogfish said:
Apologies for being a litle pushy, but while convalescing, vicarious enjoyment through the forum has taken over a little....it's easy to forget that others have a proper life.
Hey all,
I just got a pair of Kef Reference Model 1s from my dad and I love them them. I am still using an receiver that I got for my 16th birthday (28 now) and I am dying to upgrade. I read through the thread and it seems Electrocompaniet, Naim, and Plinius are some of the brands that keep coming up. Someone suggested a Roksan Kandy K2 also. I notice a lot of the sellers on ebay can't ship to the USA (where I am). I am looking to spend about $500-$1000 on a new or used amp. Any suggestions you can offer would be great.
Grant
I just got a pair of Kef Reference Model 1s from my dad and I love them them. I am still using an receiver that I got for my 16th birthday (28 now) and I am dying to upgrade. I read through the thread and it seems Electrocompaniet, Naim, and Plinius are some of the brands that keep coming up. Someone suggested a Roksan Kandy K2 also. I notice a lot of the sellers on ebay can't ship to the USA (where I am). I am looking to spend about $500-$1000 on a new or used amp. Any suggestions you can offer would be great.
Grant
gafrican said:
Grant, glad you like your Refs............you need an amp with plenty of current / power to control them. At the money you are looking to spend, I suspect you are looking 2nd hand or possibly a Harman Kardon HK 990.
hoopsontoast said:My budget KEF Reference addition just after xmas.....
They make a magnificent addition to the thread.
I've had a pair of Ref 2.2's in Rose Burr for about 6yrs now... No chance of changing, I have always loved them with my choice of music.
More so now I recently upgraded the 8000A with a Tag 60i and 60p combo, wow, what a difference.
Clearly the 8000A was underpowering the 2.2's for years but I hadn't bothered doing anything about it ( kids do that to the senses and the wallet!)
They are very different now, tighter bass, far more central vocals and, to me, overall, they "sing".
The wife simply explained it as only she could... "I want to listen to it louder now"
More so now I recently upgraded the 8000A with a Tag 60i and 60p combo, wow, what a difference.
Clearly the 8000A was underpowering the 2.2's for years but I hadn't bothered doing anything about it ( kids do that to the senses and the wallet!)
They are very different now, tighter bass, far more central vocals and, to me, overall, they "sing".
The wife simply explained it as only she could... "I want to listen to it louder now"
CnoEvil said:
They had been on my long term to do list (along with the Magnepan MMG's) so found a pair at a bargain price. Had heard the 203/2 and 205/2 quite a bit along with the 207/2 a couple of times which always impressed. The 205/2 are still my reference for speaker soundstage in terms of precision and imaging. The MMG's/Quad 57's I feel are a fair bit better in other areas, soundstage height/size to name one.
hoopsontoast said:
I really wanted to get the 203/2s. but after hearing the 205/2s, I couldn't go back (I think they are the sweet spot in the range).
The 207/2s are magnificent, but are pretty expensive, need impressive amplification and a very big room.....the 205/2s give a good taste of it for a lot less.
Stupid question on Cardas jumper cables: standard has spades on both ends. With Kef reference can you use that ? I took a look at the speaker terminals and seems that they are designed to use spade on one side and banana, not spades in and out.
I am keen to give them a try
I am keen to give them a try
frogfish said:Stupid question on Cardas jumper cables: standard has spades on both ends. With Kef reference can you use that ? I took a look at the speaker terminals and seems that they are designed to use spade on one side and banana, not spades in and out.
I am keen to give them a try
I would assume so, but it would be worth double checking (email Brian Von Bork at Cardas)..........my Cardas are Tri-Wired, so I don't use their jumpers.
http://www.cardas.com/support.php
Nb. You can get the Cardas jumper cables with bananas as well, and probably mixed if you ask.
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