Hi all,
My current setup includes Innuos Zen Mini Mk3 streamer -> Chord Signature digital coaxial -> Rega DAC-R -> Chord Anthem Reference RCA -> Supernait 2 -> Chord Epic Twin 3m -> Monitor Audio Gold 200 5G .
Yesterday I made a test with different speaker cables - Chord Odyssey 2 , 4m length, which are factory terminated and had the special Naim plugs on the amp end. In comparions my Epic Twins have other type of termination - some Airlock banana plugs which I don’t think were terminated by Chord and the banana plugs are longer than the traditional Chord ones.
What I found was very interesting. The bass response from the Odyssey was a bit less in quality but a lot more controlled. Sometimes with the Epic Twin I feel like the speakers can’t handle the bass and it is more muddy and more boomy. Overall the Odyssey was more crips, the soundstage more focused, instruments better positioned. The highs and upper mids more clear and extended which I missed in the Epics. I believe some of these differences have to deal with the factory termination from Chord and the added lenght of 1 meter which probably provides better control overall. In addition the Odyssey most probably are a better fit for my system. The MA Golds have a very refined and pleasant sound and adding the Epic Twin in the mix I think adds too much mellowness and looses the clarity in sound. The Epic Twin themselves are “sweet” sounding like often described.
Having tested the Odyssey I concluded although it has a bit less amount of bass and I think a bit smaller amount of overall detail the sound was more clear, controlled and overall more pleasant. So, I decided to change my Epic Twins with something else. I wonder whether to buy even 5 meters of Odyssey (the extra length might produce even better sound probably) or to go upper in the Chord line and get 4 meters of Chord Signature. The second choice would be very expensive and I suspect law of deminishing returns might start to play here. The difference in money between the Odyssey and the Signature might be used for upgrading the Chord Anthem Reference or the DAC itself if it is not so worth the upgrade.
Does anyone with similar setup or more experience might give me a piece of advice here?