I think we are suffering from way too much information concerning the Iconoclast interconnects. I’ve read the reviews and posts here and my head spins. I just need someone to guide me towards which version I should consider.
Visit their website and/or give them a call.
From what I can see on their website they pretty much refer you to the review links. Most of the information on the site itself goes into the weeds on the technical design.
Then call.
Or read the original thread. This new thread will go the way of the first thread.
The sales manager Bob (the guy you will probably get on the phone) is very helpful and easy to talk to.
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You can also DM Bob from Blue Jeans Cables (Iconoclast) here at @BobBJC.
FYI.
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Galen @rower30 can more than likely answer all the questions you would have.
Pretty easy.
First decise your price point, the series I or the series II. After that you can compare and contrast copper. I’d compare the TPC copper to the cost elevated conductor materials. I use the series II TPC on my Martin Logan CLX, for example. The design makes the bigger jumps, not the conductors. A series II TPC will always be better than the series I even with the most expensve copper so the ladder has a continuous set of cost steps. The sound won’t follow the cost, because we all have that ideal sound we are after. Our line is pretty compact compared to most and for good reason, if it isn’t technically a step better, we don’t make it. Many complain the higher end cables are too cheap so they aren’t automatically ruled out and are a tempting consideration but we feel value counts, too, so the prices spread is also pretty compact.
Many listen to the SPTPC series I and TPC series II. That spread is affordable and you do compare truly different designs in IC and speaker cable.
Speaker cable cost hierarchy;
Series I TPC
Series I OFE
Series I STPC
Series II TPC
Series II SPTPC
IC cable cost hierarchy;
Series I TPC
Series I OFE
Series I UPOCC
Series II TPC
Series II OFE
Series II UP OCC
Never mind the tech, that’s for me to worry about and techie types to enjoy. Not everyone knows how everything they buy works…me included.
Best,
Galen
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But isn’t there a OFE 4x4 series ll?
My impressions from the reading I done (I could be wrong)
TPC- most colored in some way but many people like it anyway
OFE- more musical, warm than TPC
OCC- the most neutral, the best of all worlds but pricey. Generally the “high end” choice
Talking about 4x4 Series ll in all these cases. My impressions are, that when talking about interconnects used for analog,
that Series ll is an improvement over Series l and is preferred except for it’s higher cost.
Is this the jest of it or did I fall off the train somewhere?
Pretty close, except the definition of what is “musical” to each person. Some will say the OFE’s softer, warmer, more foreward is ideal. Others will say the TPC, SPTPC and UP OCC’s faster, dynamic, and precise image specificity and stage with a more neutral image between the speakers provides a more even presentation. But your basic definition of the sounds are pretty spot on to all the comments that we receive.
If you use the UP OCC as a reference copper, the TPC and SPTPC are closer to that UP OCC reference presentation than the OFE in our specific designs. You can’t take that reference(s) anywhere else, though. Many, many horn speaker user love the OFE’s ability to add a more natural sound to horn speakers.
Notice we don’t have a OFE series II IC or speaker cable. Why? The cost is really high for certified copper, and we get few demands after audition of the TPC and UP OCC in the more developed design. The better design takes the series I’s musicality you refere to, and add it to the TPC’s dynamic and flatter sound stage for a great end result. When people can afford to audition on up to the series II, this observation pops up about every time. So, we haven’t spent the $$$ on OFE in the speaker cable. We are still about value, so careful cost/benefit is important.
The series II is an extension of what the series I does, it is just taken to an extreme, and thus the cost to do it. Still, you have to listen to a series II TPC and contrast that to the series I SPTC and you’ll hear what’s up!
Best,
Galen
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We offer the copper grades in the Inner Connect cable on TPC, OFE and UPOCC, yes. We skip the OFE in the series II speaker cable as explained in the longer post.
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Remember the format is 1x4 (one wire made with four 30 AWG condutors) or 1x1 (one wire made with one 25 AWG conductor) for RCA.
The XLR are 4x1 (four wires made with one 25 AWG) and 4x4 (four wires made with four 30 AWG conductors).
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As I recall in a bi-wire configuration, a separate Series II SPTPC for high/mid and a series I TPC for low is the way to go for speakers that require bi-wired. But I don’t remember the theory behind. I’m about to try a demo set in this configuration.
Can you offer your thoughts on 1x4 vs 4x4 for the interconnects as well, general sound characteristics differences between them?
For completeness since keeping this info at the top of this thread is easier to find that othet threads.
Thanks!
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What sonic characteristics do you give up using 1x4 vs 4x4?
In both the IC and speaker, the use of more and smaller wires flattens the Vp linearity. This improves arrival time properties in the audio range above 1khz.
The consensus is a tighter focus around each soundstage image. This also makes the sound stage larger as separation is improved. Example, two fuzzy out of focus dots won’t have the visual separation as two well focused dots. Applied to music this adds to the sound stage setting precision.
Both the series one and two leverage this with multiple small wires. Look at the tech papers as to why this works and how LR and C have to be managed to do it.
You don’t give up anything between iconoclast as it presents something few cables do for the money. Each brings a soundstage that is really fun to hear. Series II is just more capable on high resolution “20/20 vision” speakers.
Best,
Galen
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Please feel free to contact me through email at bhoward@iconoclastcable.com or call me directly at 850-860-0940 to discuss and learn about the XLR’s from a non-technical prospective. Happy to spend time with you. I’m also available over the weekends.
Thanks for your interest.
Bob
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Good morning and Happy 4th of July to all! It’s been quiet at the plant so I can only assume that audiophiles are on vacation this time of year and might be focused on other things at present. We wish everyone a great and safe holiday weekend. Be careful with those fireworks and spend some time with the grill and your family! Every day is a gift!
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