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Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Critic's Circle (Equipment Reviews) => Cable Reviews => Topic started by: reflex on 1 Mar 2008, 05:31 am

Title: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 1 Mar 2008, 05:31 am
Not the full review/comparison yet...

I've had the RC speaker cables for just under a week now, and added some break in to what Gregg puts them through before shipping and the used RC Special Edition IC's arrived today.

You want realism?  Without making the wife work two jobs?  And shipping the kids off to a third world country to do child labor?

Get ya some RC's...

These cables are way under-priced for the level of realism they contribute to a system.

reflex
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: lonewolfny42 on 1 Mar 2008, 05:33 am
Quote
Not the full review/comparison yet...
So....you heard a difference ....right away ?
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 1 Mar 2008, 05:43 am
I'll have to spend alot more time (alot...), but yes.  There's a level of three dimensionality that is...well...more Real(ity).  Very appropriate name for the cables.  Transparent.  The Varials are wonderful IC's, but the IC comparison was like taking the Varials and opening up the vocals. 

Palpability...thereness.  The image is shaped wider in it's depth, if that makes sense.

I had chance to hear a Esoteric UZ-1 player yesterday (mine will be here in a week or so) and it is just so "liquid" compared to what I've heard before.  We had a Cambridge Audio 840C and the highly regarded Ayre CX-7 and the Esoteric just destroys them both.  I can't wait to replace my Musical Fidelity A3.5CD with it.  After I break it in, the real comparisons will begin.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: Big Red Machine on 1 Mar 2008, 12:27 pm
You have to spend quite a bit more or go to silver or gold to do better than Greg's cables.  And then only if you wish that "color" of sound.  Really nice cables.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 1 Mar 2008, 01:10 pm
I agree as well. Gregg's cables are the real deal at a down to earth price. Clobbered my Cardas Golden Cross cables, and a bunch of other pricier models. I use Gregg cables as interconnects and speaker cables.

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: ZLS on 1 Mar 2008, 02:20 pm
Yes, the Reality Cables offer extraordinary value!  Every time I put them in I am astounded by how wide the soudstage becomes; it is indeed noticeable from the first note. 
    It does not hurt that Gregg is a true gentleman to deal with.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: denjo on 1 Mar 2008, 02:22 pm
I have never tried Gregg's speaker cables but his ICs (SS version) were very neutral and simply voiced the system as it was! Now that I am in tubeland, I might try his "tube version"! :)
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kbuzz3 on 1 Mar 2008, 02:40 pm
i enjoy them as well. I use both the sc and the ic.  Super product at a real world price.  I also find them to have a noticable lack of sibilence but still revealing....  :D
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 1 Mar 2008, 03:03 pm
i enjoy them as well. I use both the sc and the ic.  Super product at a real world price.  I also find them to have a noticable lack of sibilence but still revealing....  :D

As I mentioned in a previous post, I heard a Esoteric UZ-1 the other day and will have one soon.  One of the things I noticed about this player, and the first thing I looked for using a cd that can sound bad on a system with sibilence problems, was what it did to that edge on a vocal.  It was fast and smooth.  And that's not to say it rounded it off.  It just handled the transient far better than the other players I've heard this cd played on.  When I do my shootout (and I have 2 more cables on the way), I think I'm going to use both the UZ-1 and the A3.5 and try to report what differences there are in the IC's auditioned when you use different sources. 

I don't think anyone should try to use cables as a tone control for their system.  To me that's somewhat of a bandaid to fix a problem that should be fixed somewhere else in the chain.  But, every cable's performance is system dependant and a cable that might not exaberate an inability of the source to be totally pristine should be considered, even though, in absolute terms, it might not be the most accurate.  If slightly rounding off the transient of a vocal sibilence, but tonally accurate, dimensional and dynamic makes the overall presentation more listenable, then it might be a better choice. 

I know I mentioned the comparisons/reviews a number of days ago and started this dialog...but this is going to take some time to complete.  I've purchased some other IC's to add to the mix, as well.  I want whatever observations I have to be as valuable as possible, within the context of my personal taste and system.  So I'm not going to rush to verdict. 
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kbuzz3 on 1 Mar 2008, 03:52 pm
This statement may be a bit of heresy but i have no problem using cables to tune a system.  With regard to sibilence, I do not hear it when listening to live unamplified music.  As such i dont want to hear it in my stereo system. If cables eliminate that problem without "distorting" the rest of the music -well then good.

I dont care how accurate or realistic a component is, if it sounds harsh, or distracting on the top end its not fun. Then its not a hobby either. Its equipment worship/fetish ...

What i am trying to say without stirring up a hornets nest, is i find there is often too much dogma about systems, and reguritation of this dogma on a lot of boards.  The "no cable for tuning" dogma is one that i hear repeatedly and inmho wrongly.  The sibilence issue is IMHO part and parcel of this. 

In contrast, here is some more positive dogma which should be repeated more often instead. If your system is such that only audiophile approved recordings can be played without enjoyment or even wincing...well thats a system preference which i dont subscribe to.

I posted this a few years ago regarding dvd or sacd offerings which should help articulate what im saying.
Name your 10 favorite records of all time, with respect to music only.  How many of them are offered in dvd sacd?

The answer to that question should reflect your system preferences and listening priorities. My answer  (excluding kind of blue) is none

ff you answer includes many, and patricia barber;s modern cool- then different conclusions should be made. One should take that into account when posting opinions on equip. and systems.

No offense ment to any poster above. Just trying to add a bit of perspective here. A slight rant due from a bit of burbon last night, but one i think should be injected ever so often

Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 1 Mar 2008, 04:33 pm
This statement may be a bit of heresy but i have no problem using cables to tune a system.  With regard to sibilence, I do not hear it when listening to live unamplified music.  As such i dont want to hear it in my stereo system. If cables eliminate that problem without "distorting" the rest of the music -well then good.

I dont care how accurate or realistic a component is, if it sounds harsh, or distracting on the top end its not fun. Then its not a hobby either. Its equipment worship/fetish ...

What i am trying to say without stirring up a hornets nest, is i find there is often too much dogma about systems, and reguritation of this dogma on a lot of boards.  The "no cable for tuning" dogma is one that i hear repeatedly and inmho wrongly.  The sibilence issue is IMHO part and parcel of this. 

In contrast, here is some more positive dogma which should be repeated more often instead. If your system is such that only audiophile approved recordings can be played without enjoyment or even wincing...well thats a system preference which i dont subscribe to.

I posted this a few years ago regarding dvd or sacd offerings which should help articulate what im saying.
Name your 10 favorite records of all time, with respect to music only.  How many of them are offered in dvd sacd?

The answer to that question should reflect your system preferences and listening priorities. My answer  (excluding kind of blue) is none

ff you answer includes many, and patricia barber;s modern cool- then different conclusions should be made. One should take that into account when posting opinions on equip. and systems.

No offense ment to any poster above. Just trying to add a bit of perspective here. A slight rant due from a bit of burbon last night, but one i think should be injected ever so often



I agree...I don't listen to "audiophile" recordings.  I listen to music I like that is, at least relatively, well recorded.  I have cds that I feel are a challenge for a system to resolve to a pleasant, listenable level.  To me that is far more important than only listening to a few cds because only those are "audiophile" in execution.  The purpose of a system is to enjoy listening to music and should not to be constantly analytical.  When doing any kind of comparison/review an analytical approach needs to be taken, so as to listen beyond the music itself, but to it's actual presentation.

And when I said I don't believe cables should be used as tone controls or "fixes" for another problem, I would equate it to pouring steak sauce on a poor steak so it be edible...rather than just eating a better steak.  What you end up with is the experience of tasting steak sauce rather than tasting steak.  But, with that said, it can be beneficial to use a cable to NOT exaberate a real problem in another part of the system, when correcting the real problem may be cost prohibitive.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: Double Ugly on 1 Mar 2008, 04:38 pm
While I didn't care for the Reality ICs (at all :scratch:), Gregg's speaker cables are the best I've had in my system, regardless of price.

Having owned hyper expensive (to me) SCs before, I have no intention of trying to find something better.  I'd likely have to spend several times the retail price of Gregg's cables to find something which might be subjectively better in some way, and I honestly can't imagine the return on such an investment being remotely justified.

kbuzz3-
I don't understand why you chose to "rant" in a review thread, but maybe posting after hitting the sauce isn't an ideal sequence for you.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kbuzz3 on 1 Mar 2008, 04:45 pm
double: my post was in reaction to some earlier discussion on not using cables as tone controls.  INMHO they all do something to the sound, RC and everything else included.

And i was giving a thumbs up to the RC products, so i wanted to give some perspective on my biases and listening preferences for those looking to try the RC products. Absolutley love the RS speaker cables, on both my alnicos and hemp driven omegas.

With that said, it was bit of a rant. I will take the post down if others think its totally off topic and rambling...It was more of a reminder in the context of cables to take into account the system of the poster.  That way you may be able to identify things that are consistent among different systems or are totally system dependent.   In other words, my opinion is to listen to posters, follow thier systems and biases, not rigid dogma.  Folks like gregg at RC make that possible by offering in home trials.  which we can all agree is the best and ultimate arbiter of any part of the system.



I enjoy AC and dont want it to degenerate into the stuff on other sites.....
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 1 Mar 2008, 04:48 pm
double: my post was in reaction to some earlier discussion on not using cables as tone controls.  INMHO they all do something to the sound, RC and everything else included.

And i was giving a thumbs up to the RC products, so i wanted to give some perspective on my biases and listening preferences for those looking to try the RC products. Absolutley love the RS speaker cables, on both my alnicos and hemp driven omegas.

With that said, it was bit of a rant. I will take the post down if others think its totally off topic and rambling...

I enjoy AC and dont want it to degenerate into the stuff on other sites.....

No...keep the post here.  Valid points made...well said.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 1 Mar 2008, 04:57 pm
This is a "discussion" forum, not a "lecture" forum.  One point of view is useless, even to he who owns that point of view.  The opinions of "all" are far more valuable than the opinions of "me".  When I begin the formal comparisons of IC's, speaker cables and power cords, the results will not be based on my opinions alone and quite possibly may involve a number of systems to be used for the comparisons.

I was part of discussion on another forum recently and it was highly interesting to hear other's points of view, but the thread was killed by the moderator because it was stated that "debates are not allowed here, subjective or objective".  Seems like a rather worthless place to spend time to me and I doubt I will make any more posts there.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 1 Mar 2008, 05:01 pm
A "rant" is only a rant when you refuse to acknowledge other's questions to you and or opinions stated...when you just seem to want to go blindly on making statements.  Otherwise, it becomes your "opinion" and has as much value as anyone else's.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: Philistine on 1 Mar 2008, 05:06 pm
Another :thumb: from me for Gregg's SC's - I went through this exercise just over a year ago.  I was prepared to pay whatever necessary to get the best sound possible from my system and auditioned as many SC's as I could (including Stereophile A rated), and Gregg's wiped the floor with all those I tried.  Just very clean, neutral and transparent.  It was Danny Ritchie that put me onto them, and I'm pleased he did.  Good luck with the rest of your review.     
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: BrianM on 1 Mar 2008, 05:26 pm
Hmm, given that they're relatively sanely priced I might have to give the speaker cables a try some time.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: DeanSheen on 1 Mar 2008, 09:58 pm
I've been running the IC's & SC for about 2 years in my system and they are destination cables for me.

Gregg is a friendly knowledgeable guy to deal with and offers excellent customer service.

I have no qualms about giving my business to people like Gregg and he has some more coming from me in the near future.

YMMV but I'm pretty darn happy.

Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: mfsoa on 1 Mar 2008, 10:48 pm
I bought my first pr of Reality ICs the other week (Thanks Neil ("Walkern")), tube version. They are currently between pre and amp, replacing DIY Canare L2T2S cable.

What I'm hearing is openness, speed, power, cleanliness, dynamics. This is only relative to my other cable cause I don't think any of us can really say if a cable is "true to the source" or "adds nothing of it's own..." since the source ain't nothin' till it's amplified somehow. (There, that's my audio dogma rant - That we can say that anything is faithful to the source - How the heck do you know that? - The source is pits on plastic or grooves on vinyl - These things have has no sound, so how can we say that the sound some component makes is true to something that has no sound of its own  :scratch:)

And my Canare cables were much more open than my wet-blanket make that nice 'n smooth (Hey I may want to sell them someday :lol:) Tara RSC Reference Gen IIs, go figure.

OK, sorry for the diversion, I feel better now.

So, I am very pleased w/ my Realities. I hear a big soundstage, more up-front than I was used to but hey, I like it! Does anyone think that this quality might be too much for some systems? I think the tube versions are supposed to have more treble energy (or more up-front balance, whatever) and maybe that's what I'm hearing.

Missed out on some Reality SCs on 'Gon last week. Maybe someday I'll get a quad.

Agree that Gregg is great to deal with - Never spoken but have emailed; great service and advice.

-Mike

PS - Lonewolf - My son Dan wants to say what's up - Here goes:   "What's up, and good luck on the quest for 10K!  :wink:"
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: *Scotty* on 1 Mar 2008, 11:41 pm
mfsoa, unless these are already gone there are some SC's for sale on Agon  see link
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?cablspkr&1209002542
Scotty
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: lonewolfny42 on 2 Mar 2008, 03:02 am
PS - Lonewolf - My son Dan wants to say what's up - Here goes:   "What's up, and good luck on the quest for 10K!  :wink:"
Hey Dan ....thanks.... :thumb:....everything is cool. 8)

And Mike....warm up your drumsticks for the Summer Rave.... :drums:
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 2 Mar 2008, 03:37 am
PS - Lonewolf - My son Dan wants to say what's up - Here goes:   "What's up, and good luck on the quest for 10K!  :wink:"
Hey Dan ....thanks.... :thumb:....everything is cool. 8)

And Mike....warm up your drumsticks for the Summer Rave.... :drums:


Hey....is this a thread hijacking goin' on?  :wink:

ya need a guitarist?   aa

(http://i.pbase.com/o6/56/14756/1/72048323.lzQYLd4G.strings_009.gif)

(http://i.pbase.com/o6/56/14756/1/72006875.1H3H0Q3M.party421.gif)

(http://i.pbase.com/o6/56/14756/1/72005841.92Fb1n6O.band1.gif)

Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: lonewolfny42 on 2 Mar 2008, 03:42 am
PS - Lonewolf - My son Dan wants to say what's up - Here goes:   "What's up, and good luck on the quest for 10K!  :wink:"
Hey Dan ....thanks.... :thumb:....everything is cool. 8)

And Mike....warm up your drumsticks for the Summer Rave.... :drums:


Hey....is this a thread hijacking goin' on?  :wink:

ya need a guitarist?   aa

(http://i.pbase.com/o6/56/14756/1/72048323.lzQYLd4G.strings_009.gif)

(http://i.pbase.com/o6/56/14756/1/72006875.1H3H0Q3M.party421.gif)

(http://i.pbase.com/o6/56/14756/1/72005841.92Fb1n6O.band1.gif)


Hi Jack....how's things.... :lol:

No hijack....how could I....I own Greg's cables as well.... :wink:
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kyrill on 27 Apr 2008, 11:25 am
thx guys

posts like this give me the "courage" to make a decision and i ordered a Reality SC.
90% of the good stuff cannot be heard in Holland so i have to buy without the chance of listening first.
As i use DEQX pdc 2.6 i have an active 3way system and  cables as "tuning devices" becomes more complex
i search for the better sounding IC and LS cables for high, mid and low.

 I now in house have the KC cable ( copper) Tuans IC, Black mountain IC, Oehlbach silver IC ( German high end brand, sounds very good) Speltz LS, Audioart SC-5 LS, a new braided LS form Chris Venhaus ( very 3D) and the Reality Cable ( not in house yet)
In due time i will post my findings
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: reflex on 27 Apr 2008, 01:06 pm
I have a number of IC's as well and Gregg's are what feeds my cdp to my preamp.  Very neutral sounding with a more dimensional presentation. 
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: ted_b on 27 Apr 2008, 02:45 pm
I haven't tried Gregg's IC's yet but his SC's are a tremendous bargain, a value statement that has no speaker cable peers IMO.  As I stated in my review (over on the SP Tech forum) they were only surpassed, and then only slightly, by a cable that lists for 10x the cost!! 

And I agree wholeheartedly with the idea that we can and will use cables (and tubes) as tone controls.  I love the idea of tone controls, and wish my incredible Modwright LS36.5 dual mono had them (....but it has too much else going for it to take a step back into pres that have them, even the mega-buck Macs). 

Interested in these "tube versions" of IC's that are being discussed. 
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 27 Apr 2008, 04:58 pm
I now in house have the KC cable ( copper) Tuans IC, Black mountain IC, Oehlbach silver IC ( German high end brand, sounds very good) Speltz LS, Audioart SC-5 LS, a new braided LS form Chris Venhaus ( very 3D) and the Reality Cable ( not in house yet)
In due time i will post my findings

I will surely be interested in your comparison of the KC cable, Speltz, Audioart and Reality cable for sure. They are priced very closely.

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kbuzz3 on 3 Jun 2008, 03:45 am
I now in house have the KC cable ( copper) Tuans IC, Black mountain IC, Oehlbach silver IC ( German high end brand, sounds very good) Speltz LS, Audioart SC-5 LS, a new braided LS form Chris Venhaus ( very 3D) and the Reality Cable ( not in house yet)
In due time i will post my findings

I will surely be interested in your comparison of the KC cable, Speltz, Audioart and Reality cable for sure. They are priced very closely.

Best,
Anand.

any update on comparisons of the reality to the kci cables
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: groovybassist on 3 Jun 2008, 05:30 am
I just got a pair of Gregg's speaker cables and have started burning them in on my system (Naim CD5i, Nait 5i and SP Tech Timepiece Minis).  It'll probably take a couple of weeks to get a full read on them - I'll report back once I feel like I've got a good handle on them vs. my previous wires (River Cable Flexygy 6).

-Mike
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: low.pfile on 3 Jun 2008, 07:07 am
Also just got a pair of SC's. Will be comparing the Reality's to Speltz AntiCable SC's via RWA 30.2 amp/Modwright pre and Devore S8's
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kyrill on 3 Jun 2008, 07:53 am
any update on comparisons of the reality to the kci cables?

No not yet  :cry:
I am still waiting for my DEQX to return from the factory
my HT NAD  T751 receiver i use now in the mean time,  has not a  dac high end enough to compare these cables
The modded DEQX DAC has.
I also still wait for my "high end" 5V +3.3V SB3 pws

but as it is now i choose for Greg Reality cables..
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: Big Red Machine on 3 Jun 2008, 11:27 am
Gregg is making a 4.5 meter set of balanced cables and I will compare to my Moon Audio Red Dragon silver ic's soon.  Looking forward to the new cables.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: groovybassist on 12 Jun 2008, 03:41 pm
I've probably got 30 hours on the speaker cables I ordered from Gregg.  All I can say is I'm hooked.  They convey lots of detail, but in an organic, unforced manner.  Separation of instruments is better than what I was using and instruments seem to occupy their own space in a more natural way.  Given what some high-end cables cost these days, I think Gregg's got a great product for a very reasonable amount of money.  Just for information purposes, mine are the standard, pink licorice color - no white or black jacket.  I don't find the color offensive at all.  Enjoy!

-Mike
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kbuzz3 on 12 Jun 2008, 04:46 pm
Yes, i tried quite a few SC before keeping Gregg's.  I love the organic presentation.  Mates very very well my omega speakers
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: low.pfile on 15 Jun 2008, 05:04 am
Here is my review


Speaker Cable Showdown: Greg Straley Reality Cables compared with Paul Speltz Anti-Cables, 06/14/08


 (http://www.audiocircle.com/gallery/albums/userpics/51754/thumb_reality_cable_shwd1.JPG) (http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=14871)
 

I've had my Speltz Anti-Cables for almost 2 years now. They where the first cables I used in my combo AV system (Denon and Tetra). I really didn't want for anything more with that set up. My recent upgrade in amp, pre-amp and speakers provided me with a system with more resolution, so I was curious about optimizing cabling to eek out that last bit. It is suggested by most to pair the Devore's with Auditorium 23 cables. Though I just can't justify the just shy of $1k price. I have not used any other speaker cables in this system.

The Reality Cables were highly recommended, were reasonably priced and had a trial period (though at 20 days a bit shorter than most others). Greg and I conversed for a bit and then he provided me with a pair of 8 footers with cotton covering.

Just before I switched out the cables I gave a listen to one song with the already connected Anti-Cables. Then I listened to the same song with the Reality's in place. Major Revelation? Not really. First impression was that the A-Cs seemed to be tighter in the bass. I've had the Reality's in the system for over 2 weeks. They already had time on them prior to my ownership. 

Today I had a showdown.

I created a playlist of familiar songs each with a specific attribute. I played the playlist (below) once with each cable. I took notes of specific sounds and time. Then from them I selected three songs that I thought I noticed something different (with **). Then I played these songs probably 3 times with each cable-I lost count.

At first it I thought it was fairly close. I was listening for the normal musical elements, but focused on realism of the kick drum, guitar string resonance, and bass extension. It was The Warning by Hot Chip which starts with a few seconds of light bells then fast synth drum is added it that opened my ears. With the Reality's I could swear there was someone standing on top of my right speaker with a bar of small shiny glass bells. Wow. The sound on the A-Cs was clear and nice but the illusion was not there.

I give the A-Cs a very high mark, at less than one-third of the cost of the Reality's, I think they will outperform most at their price point. And the A-C's provide 70-80% of the sound of Reality cables. The A-Cs are neutral, fast, and balanced.

Areas were I found both cables essentially equal:
-Sound stage width and height
-Clear imaging
-No harshness in the treble

What the Reality's seem to do keep with the music. While the A-Cs will drop the note quickly (fast) the Reality's seem to hold on to it longer. That makes it sound more fluid, less rigid. Not mushy but natural. And they effortlessly reach the high frequencies (i.e. glass bells above). Down low I have to get used to not having the tight and a bit shallow bass of the A-Cs. I think the music had more bass just that less was getting to the speaker with the ACs. Based on my comparison session, the bass from the Reality's seems exaggerated - though not flabby at all. Both cables allowed the speakers to get to the upper 20s (granted it was -10dBs or so). It does matter to me as the modern electronica, R&B and rock music I listen to does have bass down there.

What I enjoy about the Reality Speaker Cables:
The amount of detail is great. The naturalness of the sound makes listening  a pleasure. They are well rounded.

Things that are a challenge: The cable bend radius. These guys are stiff and tough to get in small spots probably OK to bend a tight but it will stay that way.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/gallery/albums/userpics/51754/thumb_reality_cable_shwd3.JPG)

I am keeping the Reality Speaker cables for now.

NOTES:

Equipment/Set up:
I used my Mac source with a Brick DAC, RWA 30.2 amp, Modwright Pre and Devore Super8s. More specific system details are available in my signature below. SPL Meter was used to set level to 80db. No difference in output level of each cable. Both set of cables routed over the nest of cables behind my components, including next to power. (see pics) Surprisingly neither exhibit any noise. None.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/gallery/albums/userpics/51754/thumb_reality_cable_shwd2.JPG)

Pricing:
Anti-Cable speaker cable (8 ft. pair) $85 shipped
Reality speaker cable (8 ft. pair) $275 shipped (add $50 for cotton covering)

Music  Playlist used for comparison:
Ice - Sarah McLachlan **
Nightingale - Nora Jones
Gold to Me - Ben Harper
Duke's Place - Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington
Never Win - Fischerspooner
The Warning - Hot Chip ** song link (starting at 0:23 sec)  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3uqjuOg8xw)
Behind The Wall - Tracy Chapman
I Used To Love Him - Lauryn Hill
Sombre Detune - Royksopp
Free Radicals - The Flaming Lips
Revolver - Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan **
Dream On - Depeche Mode

** Songs used for further comparison

------
pics (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=1483)

Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kyrill on 15 Jun 2008, 08:40 am
well i am glad yr low profile :wink: did  not keep you from standing in the highlight providing a fine
review/comparison of the Speltz and Gregg cables

thx for posting

PS i saw yr pictures and with the Gregg cables i see you have cable ends with the white heatshrink 
(keeping the cotton sleeve end to the cables) at the speaker terminals

The white heatschrink on the Reality cables I have, have on this white  a red arrow indicating the direction of the signals and so i have to connect this side of the cables to the AMP and not to the speakers.

Are you sure the cables are directional connected to yr speakers/amp in the right way?

I noticed a discernible negative difference when connected the wrong way
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: low.pfile on 15 Jun 2008, 01:12 pm
.....
PS i saw yr pictures and with the Gregg cables i see you have cable ends with the white heatshrink 
(keeping the cotton sleeve end to the cables) at the speaker terminals

The white heatschrink on the Reality cables I have, have on this white  a red arrow indicating the direction of the signals and so i have to connect this side of the cables to the AMP and not to the speakers.

Are you sure the cables are directional connected to yr speakers/amp in the right way?


Thanks for the comments and heads up kyrill. You are right the Reality's are directional. Gregg's mail to me said this: "  When you receive them you will see near each end a white piece of heat shrink tubing. On one end you will see an arrow with Reality Cables on it. That is the end that attaches to your amp. The other end goes to the speakers."

You can see in the photo in my Gallery (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=1483) that the printed side is at that amp. The heatshrink at the speaker side does not have printing.

cheers
ed
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kyrill on 15 Jun 2008, 01:57 pm
Ah Ok

I only have one white end as i did nog choose for the cotton oversleeving
lol, did not looked at yr amp photo
Enjoy the cables as much as I do ;) , have Speltz too for my HT
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kbuzz3 on 17 Jun 2008, 02:32 am
I took a look at my reality sc today while moving some stuff around. My set has a white tube with an gold arrow on one end and a black tube on the other.  If i am reading this right, the white end with the arrow goes to the amp? I seem to have one reversed and not sure which is the rec'd direction.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: arthurs on 17 Jun 2008, 02:51 am
The arrow should point towards your speaker....
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: low.pfile on 17 Jun 2008, 06:59 am
KBUZZ

The arrow on cable is direction of signal flow. from amp toward speaker.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kyrill on 17 Jun 2008, 08:57 am
--
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: Toka on 18 Jun 2008, 02:37 am
Any relation between the RC's and THHN wire?
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: low.pfile on 18 Jun 2008, 03:55 am
Any relation between the RC's and THHN wire?

that would be interesting, since PVC is the anathema of audiophilia.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: sanlanman on 16 Oct 2008, 06:49 pm
Any update. Are all of you still using the Reality speaker cables?
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: mcullinan on 16 Oct 2008, 06:51 pm
yup really real stuff.
Mike
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: bluemike on 16 Oct 2008, 07:22 pm
Greg's cables are da bomb  :drool:
Bi wired they're even better
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: groovybassist on 16 Oct 2008, 08:27 pm
I use 'em between a Nait5i and SP Tech Mini's - great cables.

-Mike
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: vett93 on 3 Dec 2008, 01:52 am
What's the difference between their SS and tube ICs? Has anyone compared the two versions?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: rydenfan on 12 Dec 2008, 03:45 am
Greg's cables are da bomb  :drool:
Bi wired they're even better

My speakers are KEF Reference speakers are tri-wired and my new Plinius amp has two sets of speaker terminals per channel in order to double the current if you wish. So I had Gregg build my a single run which I will run from one of the terminals directly to the woofer input of my speaker. He also built me a bi-wired set that will run from the other amp terminal to the mid and tweeter inputs of my speaker. That is a whole bunch of Reality Cable  :thumb: My amp also has 100A peak current per channel. The cables are due to arrive tomorrow so I am pretty exited to hear how this will sound  :D
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: arthurs on 12 Dec 2008, 03:48 am
Greg's cables are da bomb  :drool:
Bi wired they're even better

My speakers are KEF Reference speakers are tri-wired and my new Plinius amp has two sets of speaker terminals per channel in order to double the current if you wish. So I had Gregg build my a single run which I will run from one of the terminals directly to the woofer input of my speaker. He also built me a bi-wired set that will run from the other amp terminal to the mid and tweeter inputs of my speaker. That is a whole bunch of Reality Cable  :thumb: My amp also has 100A peak current per channel. The cables are due to arrive tomorrow so I am pretty exited to hear how this will sound  :D

Now that's a man gearing up for some time off and serious listening chair duty... :thumb:
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: JerryM on 12 Dec 2008, 03:55 am
Greg's cables are da bomb  :drool:
Bi wired they're even better

My speakers are KEF Reference speakers are tri-wired and my new Plinius amp has two sets of speaker terminals per channel in order to double the current if you wish. So I had Gregg build my a single run which I will run from one of the terminals directly to the woofer input of my speaker. He also built me a bi-wired set that will run from the other amp terminal to the mid and tweeter inputs of my speaker. That is a whole bunch of Reality Cable  :thumb: My amp also has 100A peak current per channel. The cables are due to arrive tomorrow so I am pretty exited to hear how this will sound  :D

Now that's a man gearing up for some time off and serious listening chair duty... :thumb:

He certainly is!  :thumb:

So Ryden, what song are you going to play first?

Just curious, & have fun,
Jerry
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: bluemike on 12 Dec 2008, 04:03 am
Greg's cables are da bomb  :drool:
Bi wired they're even better

My speakers are KEF Reference speakers are tri-wired and my new Plinius amp has two sets of speaker terminals per channel in order to double the current if you wish. So I had Gregg build my a single run which I will run from one of the terminals directly to the woofer input of my speaker. He also built me a bi-wired set that will run from the other amp terminal to the mid and tweeter inputs of my speaker. That is a whole bunch of Reality Cable  :thumb: My amp also has 100A peak current per channel. The cables are due to arrive tomorrow so I am pretty exited to hear how this will sound  :D
Let us know how they sound
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kyrill on 12 Dec 2008, 06:45 am
you will be content
but they need some break in time
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: rydenfan on 12 Dec 2008, 01:44 pm
Greg's cables are da bomb  :drool:
Bi wired they're even better

My speakers are KEF Reference speakers are tri-wired and my new Plinius amp has two sets of speaker terminals per channel in order to double the current if you wish. So I had Gregg build my a single run which I will run from one of the terminals directly to the woofer input of my speaker. He also built me a bi-wired set that will run from the other amp terminal to the mid and tweeter inputs of my speaker. That is a whole bunch of Reality Cable  :thumb: My amp also has 100A peak current per channel. The cables are due to arrive tomorrow so I am pretty exited to hear how this will sound  :D

Now that's a man gearing up for some time off and serious listening chair duty... :thumb:

YUP  :thumb: one more week of work and then two weeks off.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: rydenfan on 12 Dec 2008, 01:53 pm
Greg's cables are da bomb  :drool:
Bi wired they're even better

My speakers are KEF Reference speakers are tri-wired and my new Plinius amp has two sets of speaker terminals per channel in order to double the current if you wish. So I had Gregg build my a single run which I will run from one of the terminals directly to the woofer input of my speaker. He also built me a bi-wired set that will run from the other amp terminal to the mid and tweeter inputs of my speaker. That is a whole bunch of Reality Cable  :thumb: My amp also has 100A peak current per channel. The cables are due to arrive tomorrow so I am pretty exited to hear how this will sound  :D

Now that's a man gearing up for some time off and serious listening chair duty... :thumb:

He certainly is!  :thumb:

So Ryden, what song are you going to play first?

Just curious, & have fun,
Jerry

It is hard to say what the exact first song will be after I run the Isotek system enhancer disc for a bit (lame I know, but it really helps). The first couple songs will be:

1. Just like a Star by Corinne Bailey Rae used to check vocal reproduction and bass depth and weight.
2. Miami Gato by Medeski, Martin, & Wood used primarily for piano and drum reproduction as well as spacing and attack of instruments.
3. Another Brick in the Wall Pt.2 by Pink Floyd used to check guitar reproduction but also when the chorus kicks in and both Roger Waters is singing and the group of kids there is an incredible spacing and 3-D soundstage and image that can be created.
4. The Island-Come & See/The Landlord’s Daughter/You’ll Not Feel The Drowning  by the Decemberists this is a very tough track because it contains a full band with tons of ambient sounds as well as just Collin and an acoustic guitar so it runs a full range of a system.

Hope that gives you an Ok idea.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: kenl on 28 Dec 2008, 02:45 pm
Does anybody know if Greg had a limited edition of his speaker cable?
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: marvda1 on 28 Dec 2008, 02:56 pm
he does have another cable but i was told by gregg that he does not advertise it because it seems to work with some amps and some it doesn't.  so not being sure which amps it will work with it's hard to push.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: Goosepond on 28 Dec 2008, 03:46 pm
I'm by no means an authority on Gregg's magic cables, but I'll relate my experience.

In building my system, I accumulated several pairs of Gregg's standard (to me) red XLR IC's and speakers cables. On his own, he said he would ship me a pair of WHITE speaker cables with which other owners had reported favorably on with their Spectron digital amps.

These white speaker cables were bigger and stiffer than the red ones and I readily adopted them for use with my Spectron amp and SP Tech mini's.

Gene
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: herrydp on 9 Jan 2009, 01:30 am
Pls advise on how to order Gregg Speaker Cables because I have sent the inquiry to his email but until now there is no response from him.

Or maybe there is other email addres than what it showed in his website?

Thanks.

Herry
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: wilsynet on 9 Jan 2009, 02:05 am
He's been pretty good about responding to me in the past, although I haven't exchanged email with him in about 3 months.  You might want to send him another email or giving him a call.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: TJHUB on 28 May 2010, 10:18 pm
I just received a pair of Reality Cable speaker wires.  I've been bouncing through some speaker cables trying to find the right ones.  It seems that most cables do something good that makes you want that sound, but then they do something bad that makes you move on.

Until today, my favorite overall speaker cables are the ones I made using Belden 10awg wire terminated with locking bananas.  I've only been listening to the RC's for just over and hour now and they really sound fantastic.  The more tracks I listen to, the more I realize just what these cables are doing. 

They sound very balanced across the entire audio spectrum, not increasing or decreasing the treble, midrange, or bass.  They are very clear sounding which has increased the transparency of my setup.  The imaging is much more precise and there is more separation.  One thing that I really notice is that I don't have to strain to hear even the smallest details and they throw nothing in my face.  Amazing...

It took a long time for me to pull the trigger on what I thought would be my dream cables.  When I got them last week, they just didn't work at all.  They did some things better that made me want to continue my search.  I decided after reading this thread that I should give Reality Cables a try.  I contacted Gregg, who is a very cool guy and great to deal with.  Right now, I think that's the best thing I've done in while. 
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: drphoto on 28 May 2010, 10:54 pm
Gregg is a great guy. I not only own and love his cables, but he has taken a lot of his time to advise me on many things audio. He hasn't steered me wrong yet.

Hope I can meet him in person down the road.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: TJHUB on 28 May 2010, 10:56 pm
Gregg is a great guy. I not only own and love his cables, but he has taken a lot of his time to advise me on many things audio. He hasn't steered me wrong yet.

Hope I can meet him in person down the road.

I too have had some great email communication with him.  I'm also only growing to appreciate these speaker cables.  They are truly VERY good!
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: golfugh on 29 May 2010, 12:29 am
Went through several speaker cables prior to Gregg's!  A friend (Rydenfan) told me over 2 years ago what to buy (Reality) and I didn't listen.

Glad I finally did, great cables, great information.

They do make the KEFs sing much better than any of the others I've tried.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 29 May 2010, 12:45 am
I just received a pair of Reality Cable speaker wires.  I've been bouncing through some speaker cables trying to find the right ones.  It seems that most cables do something good that makes you want that sound, but then they do something bad that makes you move on.

Until today, my favorite overall speaker cables are the ones I made using Belden 10awg wire terminated with locking bananas.  I've only been listening to the RC's for just over and hour now and they really sound fantastic.  The more tracks I listen to, the more I realize just what these cables are doing. 

They sound very balanced across the entire audio spectrum, not increasing or decreasing the treble, midrange, or bass.  They are very clear sounding which has increased the transparency of my setup.  The imaging is much more precise and there is more separation.  One thing that I really notice is that I don't have to strain to hear even the smallest details and they throw nothing in my face.  Amazing...

It took a long time for me to pull the trigger on what I thought would be my dream cables.  When I got them last week, they just didn't work at all.  They did some things better that made me want to continue my search.  I decided after reading this thread that I should give Reality Cables a try.  I contacted Gregg, who is a very cool guy and great to deal with.  Right now, I think that's the best thing I've done in while.

I've been using his speaker cables for 3 years straight now and just had a pair of jumpers made to go from my passive crossover boxes to the speaker. The internal wiring for the speaker is also Reality, it just takes a real hot soldering iron to make sure the connection is secure without cold joints.

Anand.
Title: Re: Gregg Straley's Reality Cables
Post by: lonewolfny42 on 29 May 2010, 06:56 am
Greg is also a member here....

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=profile;u=38328

You could send him a PM.... :thumb: