[thesaint519]

Originally Posted by microstrip

Although all the brands I referred had specific aspects in which they could surpass the Transparent Audio in my system (the Kubala Elation bass energy and cleanless, the wonderful bloom of the voices of the Crystal Dreamline, the rhythmic power of the Shunyata's and the freshness of the Cardas) overall the Transparent had a fluidity and smooth layering capability of digging in the recording that manages to make you immerse better in the performance. Also the Transparent had a very natural voice quality, preserving the exceptional nuance capability of the new Audio Research line (REF40+REF150). A good friend told me very nice things about the new Valhalla 2 - he owns them - but I did not have the opportunity to listen to them yet. I listen mainly to classic music - chamber, orchestral, vocal, a lot of ancient music - and jazz - my cable preference is perhaps biased by the music I listen, that is mostly acoustical.

Well said.