It’s easy to hear the difference between silver plated copper, copper or, solid core silver ICs.
@brett66 Are the Belden BAV cable listed on the BJC website? Just curious as I have see references to this line of cabling but can’t seem to find any information on them.
I thought you were going to sell your MSB to me when the TSS thumps it?
They are listed on the Iconoclast Cable site:
https://www.iconoclastcable.com/xlr/index.htm
Hope you are enjoying that U67! I recently got one of the reissues and it is currently my favorite mic next to my Klaus Heyne U87s and various Neumann clones. It’s amazing how versatile it is (like a U87) but it also sounds so classy.
I am very jealous.
I recorded a chamber choir over the weekend. A couple of Neumann U67 would have been perfect.
Yep - reissue in the seemingly 1940’s Luxe Steamer-Trunk case. Just a lovely bit of kit ; )
I haven’t heard a U87 where I “got it”. Though - as with a lot of these Neumanns - they varied both amongst the original release mics, as well as between the subsequent reissue series. And, when you pay this sort of money, you want versatility unless you have an unlimited budget.
One of the things that is knocking me out comparatively, is that my AKG 414’s are ruthlessly revealing of how crappy my current room is, and this thing, even in Omni, just sounds fab/more real/accurate/creamy in the mids. Fairly pronounced 10k rise on Omni, but, y’know…I’ll take it : )
I’m also going 180 degrees in the other direction - a Townshend Sphere coming today. It’ll be fun to compare their emulations of old, mint U67 with this.
Of course none of this has to do with the thread subject, which actually I’m also evaluating (though not without a pre).
Speaking of Degrees, I just went upstairs, and it is in the 70’s in the shade here in Boulder…about to drop 50 degrees over the next 24 hours or so, and possibly dump 4-6" inches of snow : )
Yeah - the thing that worries me economically will be the subsequent desire to have a pair.
Oh, yes.
I like your description above of the mic. They have a magic to them. Over the weekend I used a pair of KSM44 in omni into an Avalon AD2022. Flattering for vocals and the space, but still not U67s. 
Screamin’ deal for the money though. I have one - another mic where I would like a pair. And I’ve heard recordings through them that pretty much no one would fault. Again, the Performance being most important.
Agreed, at $1,000/each they are wonderful. And they come in a neat case.
I have a pair of 10-footers that I am comparing with other brands for use as mic cables at the “Pro” level, which tends to be a multiple of cost below the price of Audiophile cables. I would not assume that my impressions of them could be compared to using them for the application of line-level cables in a Good stereo.
I can potentially take them over to my buddy’s house in a week or so, where he is a recent convert to Icono XLRs. Actually, come to think of it, he has bought a pair of these in anticipation of buying and sticking Darren’s Phono Pre in - whenever that happens. We have both heard it, and it’s a Done Deal as far as we are concerned ; )
I have only heard two of the XLRs in his system, which were shockingly different ("E"TPC vs. OFE) so it would be interesting, but nonetheless not a major deal, to me in terms of an A/B situation. Gots to live with them for a while.
I have mentioned it before, but I have issues with the nomenclature of these wires. it is inelegant, and difficult to keep in your head, IMO.
I think I finally have their terminology sorted, but at first is was sort of like “Starbuckese,” to use a coffee analogy – “gimme a four-nines single-crystal frappacino, per favore.”
I’m going to take a sip of the Kool-Aid and try the speaker cables sometime later in May, as Galen has suggested it’s a bigger bang for the buck and the differences heard between the various coppers would inform the IC selection down the
road. Have to get our daughter married off first. What’s left of the credit line can then go to cables.
Mail](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986) for Windows 10
You cannot compare U67 and U87. Neither is better. It depends on who or what you are mic’ing. U87 is much more “affordable” though. Certainly a good mike. I do not like the 414. Never did. Too sterile. MS. Manley makes nice mic’s too. If you want a vintage mic but do not have the money Soundeluxe makes “copies”. They are not “cheap” either though but less than a U87. If I only had one I would pick U87. With variable pattern and good sound it can do most anything well. Blue has gone down the toilet with $100 USB mic’s. Although now Technics making USB turntables and no more 1200 decks. Times change but the good stuff tends to remain good. I do not care for Audio Technica either except maybe 4060. CAD makes a nice dirt cheap continuously variable mic. If you can find an original one with the hex screws on it they were made in USA. Those were a bargain but still only a $300 mic.
You are serious about the MSB? or joking? I am not giving it away. It is loaded with mono power bases. about $170,000 MSRP. Femto 33 and everything upgraded silver wiring ETC. I want $95,000 if I even decide to sell it. If TSS is better I may just move it to the bedroom system. I would honestly just get the TSS now.
I can’t wait for the Future dream order to come. Then break it in 800 hours. Funny thing is they are multitudes the price of the PSA stuff but I will be getting the TSS anyways. still more than that too. It does not mater I enjoy cables even if in the most resolving systems they make up to5% difference. Diminishing returns but that is not why I am buying them. They make me feel good. Better than a new component in fact. I know odd, but I just like them. My bedroom system would be reference to most people but it is not even close to my listening room. DS Senior made me put DAVE on my TV! YMMV on that one but my feeling.
The initial-ese still has me ill at ease ; ) Just noticed an inconsistency - ? The base ICs are “ETPC”, whereas the base speaker cables are “TPC”. Unsure if there is a difference between Electrolytic and Non–electrolytic Tough Pitch (ie. Standard) Copper, or indeed, if the TPC’s are Not Electrolytic in some fashion. Greek to me.
Kinda also wierds me out that it is nearly impossible to tell the OFE Speaker Cables from the SPTPC’s by sight without grabbing the ends and wrenching them around until you can read the designation - they are both blue, whereas the TPC’s are Red. One would think that if it were necessary, both the TPC’s (SP or no) would be the same color, or, maybe - just getting wild here - a third color like Green or something.
The thing about speaker wires, as with Power Products is that they affect the sound of everything in the system, vs. a component IC that (potentially) only affects the device it is connected to. So I would concur on that one, as far as possible bang for the buck. As well as the notion that if the speaker wires float your boat, the ICs may as well, and its good to start there. Don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that the same brand is guaranteed to be the best match for everything else, however. I think there’s a tendency to stick with what you know/are newly geeked about, vs. actually comparing stuff, which may or may not be the best thing, or possible.
Re: Weddings (and Reality in general) it Only Happens Once, in realtime, like a music performance. As George Harrison sang, “Remember, Now - Be Here Now, 'cause its not what it was before…it was”.
Oooh…Deep ; )
You said elsewhere here about the big depreciation on the MSB, and you mentioned a number. Testing my memory but I think you said it’s now only worth $30K. At the time - and this might be going back a month or 2 - I said I’d buy it from you (at that price).
It would be a tough choice whether to buy a used fully tricked up MSB or the new Esoteric Grandioso D1X at that price. I’m leaning towards the Esoteric, but saving $100K on the MSB would be mighty tempting.
I would honestly get the Esoteric Grandioso. It is awesome. I love Esoteric. You know MSb is a very small company with only so much R&D at a huge price. Esoteric is Teac a huge company with unlimited R&D. I have heard Grandioso and it is different but perhaps better.
Yes, Blue Book says $30,000 but if that was what I was getting I think I also mentioned I would keep it! I know you want it for 30 Grand I would too. should have gotten a darn use one. Used audio equipment is worth nothing. PSA’s trade in program is the best in the industry. they basically give you what you paid new up to a point. I do not even know how they do this. since they cut all the fat from their product to begin with. You will find almost no one discounting PSA new. There is simply no margin. they would try to steer you to something else to make themselves more money. I mean a store. Most salespeople are Weasels but not all. I have worked with a few good ones and gone back to them for many years. they can give you 40% or more discount on other products. simply not there on PSA. They would rather sell you something else and make more money if they are dishonest. The DS Senior with latest Firmware is reference quality and now much better than DAVE IMO. Plus MR. smith plans to improve it even further! It is a reference quality piece for almost nothing. At least to me. I know it may be a lot to some people though. I feel them on that. I deal with all walks of life. Can’t judge someone if they “work” for a living. Some of the best people in fact. Most other Attorney’s are scum. Sure, I charge a lot but I am not dishonest. If I know someone is guilty of a major crime I will not take their case unless they admit guilt and I will then negotiate a Plea for them. You do not have to take my word for it but I might just be the only honest Lawyer. No offense to other Attorney’s. You do as you see fit. I was a Judge and known as Judge “fair”. You got a joint I give you probation. You murdered your family and you get life no parole. The punishment should fit the crime IMO. I know that is OT but goes as to why I find it to be “cheap” myself personally. Do not mean to be a jerk though. I know the working poor very wel and truly feel for them. I even do plenty of Pro Bono(free work).
Of course you can compare them. You don’t like 414’s - good enough, I don’t like U87’s.
Fair enough. You can certainly compare anything. I meant they have different strengths and weaknesses. I do not mind 414 it is a great “bargain” it is just too “clean” for my taste. Which is in fact praise of it. I like Tube Mic’s, Ribbons ETC. So you see where I am coming from.