There are lots of very informative posts regarding black boxes on the forums but less regarding speaker cable and specifically Super Lumina. For anyone who helped out on my SC DR vs HC DR saga this is a new element while I'm waiting for the SC to be checked out for a possible issue; for the rest of you I hope it informs a bit.
So I'm listening through NDX/282/HC DR/250 DR/SP2'S. And Super Lumina. A few days ago it was my 25+ yr old bi-wired Linn enormous black stuff. Turned out it was this that was making SQ super bright and painful. My dealer sent some A5 which, on a proper listen, removed most of the brightness and sounded great. Hooray I thought. The SC went back for checking - another story - and, given the effect of the A5, I asked if I could try out the SL.
To my surprise, it made the SQ from the A5-wired system, which I otherwise thought pretty damn good, sound a bit out of focus; a bit blurred. Percussion that I had thought sounded sharp and defined was suddenly shown up as slurred. The SL has tightened everything up; there's considerably more detail and definition between beats; instruments sound much more 'real' and, with live recordings, it achieves that nirvana (for me) of almost making you believe you're there amongst the performers, as opposed to listening to a recording.
I read a lot about nDAC, more and bigger PSU's, better pre's and power's, all of which do, of course, make a difference, but, pound for pound, the SL cable has proven to be a stunning upgrade and it's not going back to the dealer. Can't help but wonder what a difference SL interconnects would make. I really hope that the SC was faulty and that the real deal doesn't slow the pace and excitement as this one did, because, if that's the case, I can't wait to hear the extended midrange and bass/soundstage it brings, on the SL.
Posted on: 26 February 2016 by ChrisSU
There are lots of very informative posts regarding black boxes on the forums but less regarding speaker cable and specifically Super Lumina.
I know the forum search facility is crap, but I didn't realise it was that bad!
You're right about SL cables, though. Your comment about them "almost making you believe you're there amongst the performers, as opposed to listening to a recording" is how I felt when I listened to them in a mid-range classic system.
Posted on: 27 February 2016 by eagle3333
Ah - what I should have said, then is that I have obsessed about black boxes and looked up a billionty posts about them here but not looked very hard for the doubtless copious posts on the subject of speaker cable..!
Did you listen to the effect of other interconnects in SL? Any observations on how worthwhile, Chrissu?
Posted on: 27 February 2016 by Dan43
On demo when first released I found the SL SC almost did too much, very bright to my ears. I think most have said they calm down a blot over time then settle and are then very revealing.
The SL IC added more to the above, I didn't keep them long enough to hear them settle in more, but they were startling to say the least and even though bright provided an addictive sound/presentation. More layers of music revealed, everything tightens a notch and so on.
I will re-visit soon on the system I have now, from what I have read I know of few, if any, that have sent a set of SL back. Is also seems that most have done the same as you and kept their demo set.
Posted on: 27 February 2016 by eagle3333
Interesting, Dan, thanks. I've been fighting brightness since a very recent upgrade to NDX/250 DR. I found the SL SC did a good job of curbing much of what remained with the NAC A5 whilst being more revealing. I definitely don't want to do anything else that might bring it back! I'd like to demo' an SL interconnect - NDX to 282? Or should also you run SL from 282 to HC and HC to 250 to maintain full integrity of the signal?
When the ex dem' SC DR was in, there was no brightness. Just that big soundstage with its extended bass/midrange. But it slowed the music. I found myself impatient with some tracks where the vocals seemed so slow I wondered if the dac was sending them out slower than they were coming in. It's being investigated and, meantime, the HC DR is doing a 'thrilling' if not so 'big' job of things.
Posted on: 27 February 2016 by MDS
I'm a big fan of Super Lumina and now have the full set in my 'Classic' system ie interconnect; Din to XLR; speaker cable. I recognise the impact you describe the speaker cable made. However, before you are tempted to try other SL cables I think my advice would be to get your SuperCap sorted and enjoy it for a while so you get used to what your newly upgraded system sounds like. Trying several different components in quick succession and attempting to make judgements about what each brings can be a recipe for confusion and dissatisfaction. Patience here will reward you in the long term.
Mike
Posted on: 27 February 2016 by ChrisSU
Did you listen to the effect of other interconnects in SL? Any observations on how worthwhile, Chrissu?
No, sorry, all I did was compare NAC A5 to SL speaker cable. I think my dealer would have felt he was pushing his luck if he tried to sell me the 'full loom!'
