Transparent or Wireworld?

[cdobson]

Pondering upgrading my balanced interconnects.

I Currently have five sets of 2 meter Transparent Plus and thinking of going up two levels to Ultra.

Most my source and amplification is Mac and the speakers are Wilson.

Given this would be a significant investment, seems like a good question to ask.

Anyone with experience comparing these cable brands with this type of equipment?

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by cdobson

Pondering upgrading my balanced interconnects.

I Currently have five sets of 2 meter Transparent Plus and thinking of going up two levels to Ultra.

Most my source and amplification is Mac and the speakers are Wilson.

Given this would be a significant investment, seems like a good question to ask.

Anyone with experience comparing these cable brands with this type of equipment?

In my experience, TA is best with Wilson speakers, that's what is inside them. That being said, I've gone through lots of their wires and they are expensive as hell, so put your money where it mattered most. For me, the speaker cables made FAR more difference than the IC's. I ended up upgrading my IC's eventually but i'm not sure it made much of a difference except as part of the "total package".

[Puma Cat]

You should also consider Shunyata Alpha or Sigma if you're going to make an investment of this magnitude.

[cdobson]

Thanks for the feedback- purely pondering for now. The cost is significant - even with trade in. I am in no hurry to press this through.

[SuperD]

I started with MM2 Super and have moved up to Gen 5 Reference through their trade-up program. I prefer to not mix cables and if I remember correctly I can get 75% trade-in value moving up the line.

Dave

[jimtranr]

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.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by jimtranr

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.

Jim,
Remember Fulton Gold? Plastic encased speaker cables the size and gauge of welding cables? Remember how they had to be in lengths that were multiples of 57"? I still have my long pair (6ft? 8ft?, I can't remember) from the early 80s in a plastic storage container in my garage. IIRC, all that wire is pure silver....

[cdobson]

Thank you all - I appreciate the shared perspectives - very helpful!

If I decide to take the plunge, it will be leveraging one brand vs mix and match.

Of course the risk is the outcome may not be what I hope for...

[Cincy2]

I've been upgrading Transparent cables / interconnect for over 25 years and have never been disappointed in the improvement either from one price point to another or from one generation to a later one. The better the gear connected, the better the cable sounds. It takes away any limitations to the potential from your gear.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Cincy2

I've been upgrading Transparent cables / interconnect for over 25 years and have never been disappointed in the improvement either from one price point to another or from one generation to a later one. The better the gear connected, the better the cable sounds. It takes away any limitations to the potential from your gear.

I'm sure they're great, but some aftermarket high-end cables are so expensive.