Not sure if you can get UK cables but you could try DNM Stereo Solid Core Interconnect - noting that it is not shielded (which may matter to you).

Stealth Sakra, price is 50% of Opus MM2.

STEALTH audio cables

http://www.stealthaudiocables.com/pr...sakra_1000.jpg

I vote for Elation.

Complete set of Elation are quite extraordinary sounding and cost the same as a pair of Opus interconnect.
They are truly flat and pure. Bass not as weighty as TR even Ultra model, but high is more airier.
Transparent work out woofer, Kubala work out tweeter, but both are pretty much neutral.
Shunyata have smooth and sweet sound following everywhere, so I think they have some characters.

But that s a matter of preference as an AA member here once told me he prefer Shunyata s much more than Elation.
He use Magico S5 and RC tube electronics and play mostly LP.

I have Kubala Sosna Elation (SC, IC and PC), but I didn't knew they costed as much as Transparent Opus... My impression is that the Opus stuff is way more expensive...


alexandre

I've has KS Elation speaker cable in my system for a few years. To me it is good but not the game changer it was touted to be. Nice highs, good bass, thin midrange. Not as airy and open as I'd like.
Sometimes I feel its not what you have but what you can get to determine the likes and dislikes you have with your gear...
I feel with cables you have to look to the designer to see what is used, especially for the speakers. At least a good place to start.
For instance in Magico's case it's MIT. In Wilson's case its Transparent. And even then, if you have a sense of the industry, there are politics to be considered as to who uses what!

I mean a complete set of Elation , 2 IC + SC can buy only a pair of OPus IC.
I heard the Kubala range topper will be debut soon. Better than Elation.

Toga

Hi Toga,
Was quite surprised by the outcome in your system, had expected MITs or Transparents to come out top there, interesting..

I had KS Elation SC, IC and PCs.. While good cable overall/excellent in some respect - well balanced, neutral, open, detailed, quite dynamic sounding. I found them to be a little lacking in the 'drama' dept. - ie.substance, weight, dimensionality, as well ultimate blackness/detail/micro resolution as when compared to few (admittedly) more costly competitors. That was back some 2-3 years ago, and I'm led to believe one could do even better today. Hopefully their soon to be released number will prove itself a winner.

Thanks for sharing with us your valuable experiences! ..and I'm sure, more upcoming further thoughts as well.:thumbsup:

Bvdiman,

I mean, I voted for the Kubala among all the loan cables, Like if I have to choose one for free, I would choose Elation.
If I have to pay then Shunyata is not a bad choice at all.
As I mentioned, this is all a matter of preference, our priority also different. I care for tonal balance, dynamic, refinement , I care less about dimensionality , stage depth or that illusion stuff. And I don' t have much experience about cables, I have only Transparent for quite a long time.
About Transparent, mine IC are the much lower model down the product line, they are the most punchy , attack the hardest, deep bass slam stronger, treble not quite as airy, smooth or feel extended compare to Elation, they are not sweet and warm like Shunyata' s. but overall, they are pretty much character less as well.
However two friends of mine told me to go Opus they use Opus in their system and told me nothing come close.
He will let me try his Opus Soon. Luckily his amplifiers are also Moon, so no big mismatched calibration here.
For now I packed Nordost, MIT, Shunyata back into the box. Will learn more on Elation, will try mix and match between Kubala and Transparent.
Toga

Toga,
That is what I'm trying to say.. Since Transparent seems to already match your system/preferences pretty well, why not just fill-in that missing link and go straight for Opus. I believe this will help dampen that big haunting 'what if' feeling, and save you money in the longer run from further switching in/out cables.

Regardless of preference/priority, most decent cables in the caliber you are testing should tick all that characteristics you placed highly as a given, whilst moving up the chain should only extend that to what you now probably care less about as bonus ~ almost always a more 'complete and wholesome' depiction along with further added refinements which will inadvertently help us to connect to the music even more. Perhaps akin to your Q3 to 7 move - which I feel is a good one.

In my limited experience, living with a cable for an extended period of time can sometime generate differing outcome from that of a quick euphoric few days of test - which could be costly if later found to be the wrong choice. So longer term loan is preferable whenever possible before pulling the trigger, especially on big bucks cabling.

Anyway, have gathered from elsewhere (other threads) and learn that Opus too is actually your set target, and that all these testings being only partly just for fun and sharing of experience.. Again, thanks for that. Good luck, and most importantly, have fun while at it. :music:

First time I've heard about this cable so I checked the website. What intrigued me is the RCA insertion procedure, seems that because of the design of the connector a substantial amount of force is required to accomplish a proper connection. Not cheap either. You must be really satisfied with its performance to recommend it, Anatta. I guess Toga's problem and shared by non US residents is how to get a sample that we can audition.