My cable experience consists, in chronological order, of Fulton (ancient history), Cardas, Tara, Kimber XL, Blue Jeans (Belden), and Wireworld, with a full loom of the latter currently populating my "reference" bedroom system (though a Shunyata Alpha USB cable is on order for the source-component-to-DAC connection). The Bedroom system listed in my signature block indicates that my context is what I'd call at best a mid-level configuration.
I have no experience with Transparent, so I can't offer the specific comparative judgment you seek. And whatever overall perspective I can offer applies strictly to my system, its acoustic environment, and my listening preferences as well as my ears, such as they are. So feel free to apply as many grains of salt as you consider appropriate to what follows.
About a year-and-a-half ago, I decided to upgrade my bedroom system's cable configuration. And, somewhat counterintuitively, started with the power cords to my Blue Circle outlets-siliconed-into-a-PVC-pipe power distributor and DAC, the only components lacking captive cords. The result was an immediate, unsubtle uptick in audible performance, particularly in terms of definition, transparency, dimensionality, and perceived dynamics.
Next up, the interconnects (same model, newer version). I heard the difference right away. So did my probably-more-critical-eared wife, with improvements noted in the same areas as heard earlier with the power cords, and with approximately the same magnitude of performance jump over the previous configuration.
The speaker cables came last, with the same result, though the magnitude of improvement exceeded what we'd heard with the interconnect upgrade. I'd note here, however, that the new speaker cable cost considerably more than what it replaced, so this was not a same-manufactuer-same-model-newer-version upgrade. Not even close. Nonetheless, the comparison reinforced the lesson I'd learned a long time ago, that the speaker cable used matters.
I'm not sure how helpful, if at all, this perspective is, especially since it doesn't offer the apples-to-apples comparison you want in a system you're familiar with. I'd note only that in my case each cable upgrade--starting with the power cord--made a noticeable improvement, and to two pairs of ears. Your mileage may very well vary, and you might consider seeking out a source that will allow you to compare the specific brands you've noted so you can see/hear what either one brings, in whatever configuration (IC or speaker) you choose to evaluate, to your listening table.
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Jim
Bedroom: Aurender N150, TEAC UD-505 (AKM version), EMIA Cu Elmaformer passive line stage, conrad-johnson MF2500, Paradigm Studio 20 v5. Shunyata Delta D6, Altaira CG hub. Shunyata Alpha XC, Delta NR v2, Alpha USB, Alpha and Venom CGC/SGC. Wireworld Eclipse 8 interconnect & speaker cables. Stillpoints footers, Butcher Block Acoustics maple platforms. Stillpoints and GIK acoustic panels.
Home Office:Windows 11 PC/JRiver 31, TEAC UD-501, Luminous Audio Technology Axiom II Walker Mod passive, conrad-johnson Sonographe SA-250, Paradigm SE-1. Shunyata Hydra (Original Version), Venom 10 NR. Wireworld Eclipse 7 interconnects. Blue Jeans speaker cable.
Living-Dining Room: Windows 11 Laptop/JRiver 29, Oppo BD-83, TEAC UD-501 DAC, SOTA Sapphire TT, Graham Slee Era Gold V, Ortofon 2M Black, McIntosh MR-77, c-j Sonographe SC-25, c-j MF2500, Paradigm SE-3. Wireworld 8 IC, Blue Jeans SC. Shunyata Hydra 8 v.2, Shunyata Delta NR, Venom NR. GIK 244 bass & scatter-plate panels.
Last edited by jimtranr; 04-15-2019 at 04:41 PM.
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