Author Topic: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch  (Read 2566 times)

Offline James Edward

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Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« on: July 04, 2020, 12:41:01 PM »
Happy 4th to all in these United States. The following is just a rumination...
I’m getting the itch to change(notice I did not say upgrade) speaker cables. I currently use 12 gauge Anticables. Of course now they offer a doubled up version at 9 gauge. My speakers do not have bi-wire capability, so that is a non-issue. The 3.1 version of their cable is simply their 2.1 cables with an extra pair of wires. http://anticables.com/speaker-wires/2-channel#!/Level-3-1-Speaker-Wires/p/14644527/category=3449817

Then there is Supra- they have a 9 gauge stranded, tin plated wire- pretty much the polar opposite of what Anticables espouses.
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/speaker-wire/supra-classic-6.0-speaker-wire-per-foot-9-awg/

Quite a while ago, I spoke with Pierre at Mapleshade; he was adamant that large gauge wire muddied up the bass. This is also a factor in my head, FWIW. Supra does sell a smaller gauge wire of the same type(stranded copper with tin plating).
Lastly, I will say that I run rather long lengths of wire-18 ft., and 23 ft. Therefore, these two contenders are likely all I can afford to try. Others out there run into megabucks.
Any thoughts or experience on stranded vs. solid core, etc., are appreciated.
If it makes a difference- speakers are Spatial M3 Turbo S, amp is Luxman L-590 AX Mk2.


Luxman L- 590 AX MK2
Esoteric K-07X
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB
Audience Au24SE
PI Cat6
Spatial Audio M3 Turbo S
Stereo Hsu ULS-15 Mk2
Supra Classic 6.0

Offline Folsom

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2020, 02:22:15 PM »
Supra.

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2020, 02:22:47 PM »
I'm really frugal, I use this solid wire...



I use 2 conductors for +, 2 conductors for -, and the 5th conductor for the OPT input on my Gallo Reference 3.5 speakers.
Happiness is when your system overcomes your nervosa ;) 
So much media, so little time... My Media Room...

Offline Nick B

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2020, 03:02:55 PM »
I’d opt for Supra.
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline dflee

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2020, 04:24:50 PM »
I went with Triode Wire and am thrilled with it.
"Enjoy pleasure, not because it is fleeting, but because it exists at all." Sacrament, Clive Barker.

Offline James Edward

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2020, 05:59:53 PM »
Triode is way out of my budget due to the lengths I need.
Luxman L- 590 AX MK2
Esoteric K-07X
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB
Audience Au24SE
PI Cat6
Spatial Audio M3 Turbo S
Stereo Hsu ULS-15 Mk2
Supra Classic 6.0

Offline toobluvr

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2020, 05:08:48 AM »
I have Supra Rondo 2 x 2.5 (stranded, tin plating) and various model Morrow (solid core) speaker cables.  The Supra is full and pleasant but I find it veiled and lacking in speed, presence and precision compared to the Morrow.  When using Supra I find myself leaning in and craving the detail that I know is there, but not being revealed.  Very smooth and easy to listen to, though.  I would say it might be a good match for leanish and hyper-detailed / anyalytical systems.  Not how my rig is voiced so not the best match for me.
« Last Edit: July 05, 2020, 06:36:44 AM by toobluvr »
Spkrs: Sunny Cable Tech, Reynaud, Zu, Klipsch, Gallo subs, Wharfedale
TT1: Townshend Rock 3/OL Silver Mk3A
TT2: OL Aurora/OL Encounter Mk3C
Carts: Soundsmith Zephyr,  Music Maker 3, Dynavector xx2-Mk2, Shelter 501
complete: see Sunnydaze system on AC

Offline toobluvr

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2020, 06:23:05 AM »
PS:  FWIW, years ago I owned the original version of Anti-Cables SC.  Good clarity and speed but when listening for awhile I found it a bit insistent and fatiguing in the upper mids and treble.  But I'm very sensitive to that sort of thing, so YMMV.

No idea how the current A-C versions stack up.
« Last Edit: July 05, 2020, 07:43:06 AM by toobluvr »
Spkrs: Sunny Cable Tech, Reynaud, Zu, Klipsch, Gallo subs, Wharfedale
TT1: Townshend Rock 3/OL Silver Mk3A
TT2: OL Aurora/OL Encounter Mk3C
Carts: Soundsmith Zephyr,  Music Maker 3, Dynavector xx2-Mk2, Shelter 501
complete: see Sunnydaze system on AC

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2020, 11:18:54 AM »
James, I'll second tooblover's thoughts on stranded vs. solid cables, and also that in general, cabling is very system dependent. I do believe that cables can alter the sound of a system, but don't believe a more expensive cable is necessarily a "better sounding" cable. The solid wire I use is available in a 50' length for under $20. Will it sound vastly different than your current Anti-Cables solid wire? Can't say, but it may, and for $20 could be worth the experiment(?)
Happiness is when your system overcomes your nervosa ;) 
So much media, so little time... My Media Room...

Offline P.I.

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Re: Supra or Anticables... Feeling the Itch
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2020, 11:47:02 PM »
Cheap experiment. All you have to do is spend a few bucks and be patient.

Break in takes time.  A week or so.

Buy CAT5 plenum rated Ethernet cable.

Most important:  strip off the crappy PVC jacket.

Bundle one run to the + and another to the negative of your speakers.  Twist the individual wire bundles at 1 - 2 turns per foot.

Give these cables at least a week to burn in.

Report back.

Just sayin’...
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." - Hilmar von Campe