Another phase of WW Equinox cable installation

[Vintage Pete]

Good evening guys...I thought I share some photos and impressions following the third phase of my system recabling effort, you may recall in recent months
I had done some recabling of my active crossover/power amplifier section of my main system using Wireworld Equinox interconnects, followed by the installation
of (4) Wireworld Aurora power cables:

http://www.audioaficionado.org/cable...ox-cables.html

http://www.audioaficionado.org/cable...wer-cords.html


My latest installation goal was to replace all of the cabling that dealt with my system's processor loop (6 cables) and my tuner's audio output signal cable.
The processor loop had been cabled with audioquest diamonback cabling, and the tuner cable was a Tributaries silver cable.

I had some issues with the audioquest cables as I felt they were lacking a very positive mechanical grounding connection with the RCA plugs. This had caused me
to have some buzzing issues in my amplifier section that became a thing of the past when I installed the first round of Equinox cables. There was an obvious sonic
improvement as well, which I reported on in my earlier thread.

Naturally, I was pleased when the UPS man rolled up last evening with my cable order from Ivan.

As expected, the cables arrived in perfect shape and displayed the usual Wireworld quality. My order this time consisted of:

(2) 0.5 meter pairs of Equinox unbalanced audio interconnects

(3) 1.0 meter pairs of Equinox unbalanced audio interconnects

(2) 2.0 meter pairs of Equinox unbalanced audio interconnects.














Last evening, I got started by replacing the cable from my McIntosh MR80 tuner to my McIntosh C40 preamp. I was greeted my an immediate, noticeable
improvement in the overall clarity of the presentation, just cleaner and with a greater sense of "air" around the voices and instruments. I always love that
"airy" sense about the music, in the upper midrange registers. Along with that comes more detail and character of the instruments, and improvement in the
already excellent soundstage I have with my system. Moreover, I had been experiencing a bit of hum in the tuner's output signal-not a loud hum, but I knew
it was there and was bothering me. I had hoped that the better shielding of the WW cables might help with this and was pleasantly surprised when this noise
was gone last night. (A bit more on this later).

I waited until today to tackle the rest of the cables as this was going to be a chore. Indeed it was-about 5 hours worth today. I did some other system maintenance
along the way-cleaning jack contacts, and some switches in my processor gear that was due for cleaning. Suspicious that a couple of small AC adaptor transformers
located behind my main equipment stack may have played a role in my tuner hum issue, I relocated these transformers.

It was a fun project, and I took my time with it...














All of the gray unbalanced cables in the photo below were newly installed today:




Once installed and the system powered up, I was very pleased with the improvement, which, as was the case in the first install, not really subtle. A much cleaner,
more detailed presentation is apparent, cleaner from top to bottom, and once again with more air about voices and instruments. As was the case with the first installation,
I can pick up differences even when I'm in the next room. It's really interesting the way every component in a system's signal path can impact its overall presentation. I am
very pleased so far with the results of this latest installation. It hasn't yet been 24 hours living with the system with its new "bloodstream", so I am sure as days go by I will
notice more benefits. But if there is any one thing I am noticing most right now, it is the "air", and the additional detail that seems to come with it.


I would recommend the Equinox cables without hesitation to anyone looking to upgrade their system's cabling. It's about midway up the WW food chain-a sweet spot, if you will.
The models such as the silver eclipse are out of my budget, especially with this many cables. I am quite satisfied with these cables.


I still do have some lower end cables in my system, but these are used with rarely used (or not used at all) items such as tape recorders, etc. This latest installation
is a big milestone for me, now having addressed all of the signal cabling that is used daily. (I do find myself wishing I had gone with Equinox rather than Oasis balanced
interconnects for my DAC outputs).

Next I will set my sights on the WW Equinox speaker cables. I have no doubt that these will be the icing on an already delicious audio cake....

Thank you as always Ivan....and thank you for getting these cables here so quickly! I love seeing the UPS truck on Fridays....



Pete

[thxthx]

Awesome... Great story! I hope to be sharing one similar one day

[ronenash]

Thank you for sharing. I love the Equinox cable. Musical, transparent with just a touch of warmth. I am sure you will enjoy them very much. I think the Equinox is in the sweet stop of the WW line.

[Joe]

This is excellent Pete!
Nice photos as well. Those things look massive.
Glad you are happy with the way it all turned out, and looking forward to the speaker cables!
J

[Stereo-head]

That is great Pete! I'm happy you're having positive results with your ICs. You are right those are a lot of ICs. I am in your same situation, but inverted. I got the speaker cables, but have to change my IC's fron Oasis to Equinox. I love the Oasis but OCC is OCC. Congrats on the great transformation and thanks for the detailed write up and photos!

[bradleyc]

That's great news Pete, thanks for taking us along for the ride on your WW upgrade journey. It's nice to hear improvements on day 1, knowing you're going to hear even more as everything settles in the days to come!

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[bakerman]

Looks good Pete. That's a lot of cables back there but you did a real nice job of making it look clean. Enjoy the "new" sound.

[jdandy]

Pete.......I am happy for you. I know how long you have wanted to get this cabling upgrade in place. It is great to hear that the improvements made the cost and effort worth it. Thanks for the photos, too. I think this photo in particular tells the story. Nice job.

[jdandy]

Pete.......Maybe when you place the order for the Wireworld Equinox speaker cables you can squeak in that pair of Equinox interconnects for the W4S DAC. You can always sell the Oasis cables or use them in one of your half dozen other systems.

[Vintage Pete]

Thanks guys....I'm sure I'm not done (are we ever?) but a huge milestone has been met and it's downhill from here.


Next will be the speaker cables....meanwhile I am enjoying the results a lot.

Sorry about the dust in the above photo. I have taken care of it...


Pete