Cjr
There are a few people that had mentioned that Ag does not work well with the Panny. In fact alot of Ag cables are bright and strident ,but when testing cables last summer I found that the spiral design takes those traits out and acts more like a good copper with the extension you would expect from Ag.
I tried a number of geometry’s and the only one which satisfied my ears where the Spirals. There are different cables that work well, but that is the geometry to my ears worked the best.
My system then consisted of the following:
B&K ST-202(Original Version) Modified)
FT Audio Passive Controller
Philips CD-80 CDP Stock
Bolder DIO DAC
NEAR Speakers M50III’s modified Drivers
M15III’s modified Drivers
You can look at NEAR speakers reviews at Soundstage ,but the new versions will not be listed and the newer drivers are a breed apart from them. I believe some pro reviewers and recording engineers still use them as reference though. I have known NEARs since the early 90's and Bill K. has improved the design to great levels using more advanced drivers which I am lucky enough to own.
Cables included AQ,47Labs,Tara Labs,Monster,Straight Wire,Kimber and a bunch of others.
I then sent them to people that are dealers and professional designers I know and who knew more then me,as I know I am not one that knows it all, to see what their impression were using them in different systems against other notable cables. These systems they have far outweigh mine in terms of worth and they have been in the business a long time. So I do take note of their opinions.
I’d say that 90% of the reaction has been positive with improvements made since also making using either the OTA or my Ag designs compatible with the systems they have used them in. There is not the sense of stridency,Brightness or being sterile using my Ag with the Panny45. To answer your question , I believe it is the spiral design which helps defeat it. While I did find certain strengths in the other designs things sounded more natural to me using the spiral and I have since improved it. The improvement has been in displaying better dynamics while keeping the other traits intact. There is a way of using the OTA to bring certain traits up.
BTW if you also read my speakers are Metal Tech and in order for them to perform their best they cannot use wires that give the aforementioned traits so I had to work at eliminating them.
The speaker's are revealing as are the cables.
I am not saying I sell the best ,but Competitively priced cables which I have work at improving the design. Just as NEAR speakers are not the best,but I'd have to pay a lot more for the same ability they have.
Id rather pay for mine than more from others which gives people a choice.
People that like OTA can always pay 47Labs $700 for their kit or a number of other cable companies that I know who use OTA wire in their lineup.
No problem by me it's their $$.
I did not get into this on a whim BTW. When working at a Plating Co. doing Chemical Analysis years ago I thought about it. I have also worked in Manufacturing in one capacity or another most of my life and have been into audio since I was young being tutored by my father who was a professional musician and other family members that were into music\ audio in one form or another most of their lives. I for my part was lucky to play the Kazoo ,but I did get to hear some great stuff and meet some very knowledgeable people.Those are stories for another time. It was only a year ago did I have the time to do it.
Hope that sorts that out!
NOTE:I have no interest in the ongoing business activities of NEAR Corps. and my Co. name was taken from a handle I use.
Regards,Larry Grac
www.NEARSOTA.com
