Holy Cables! Transparent Cable Magnum Opus Speaker Cable

**Mike** · January 7, 2015, 05:05 PM

It looks like a chicken.

**joeinid** · January 7, 2015, 05:20 PM

Did you meant to say it looks fowl?

**mep** · January 7, 2015, 05:25 PM

I'm trying to put the scale into perspective.

**dlb2** · January 7, 2015, 05:55 PM

You sure that's not the prototype for Batman's new car?

**Mike** · January 7, 2015, 05:57 PM

**MDP** · January 7, 2015, 07:52 PM

Yuck !!!!!

**Myles B. Astor** · January 7, 2015, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by dlb2

You sure that's not the prototype for Batman's new car?

+1

**still-one** · January 7, 2015, 08:02 PM

It looks better in person, but not much better.

**Alpinist** · January 7, 2015, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

It looks like a chicken.

LOL, is this a Rorschach test? I think it looks like a man and woman doing it. No seriously, maybe a race car if a wing was put on the back of it.

Ken

**mep** · January 7, 2015, 08:44 PM

I see the race car and the chicken. I thought of the race car first, but when Mike mentioned the chicken, I see that too. I see Ken's interpretation as well.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 7, 2015, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

LOL, is this a Rorschach test? I think it looks like a man and woman doing it. No seriously, maybe a race car if a wing was put on the back of it.

Ken

The Flying Sub from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea? (For those old enough to,remember!)

**Johnny B Good** · January 8, 2015, 02:26 AM

Originally Posted by MDP

Yuck !!!!!

agreed

**BlueFox** · January 8, 2015, 03:12 AM

More bling to help separate the gullible from their money.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 8, 2015, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

More bling to help separate the gullible from their money.

So basically you're saying that the specially made carbon fiber casing designed by Andy Payor and used to house Transparent's network is useless? Have you ever done comparisons? Have you ever listened to the Opus cables?

**Steve** · January 8, 2015, 07:32 AM

What's inside the chicken? I know it's a network of sorts but is it accessible or is it a block of epoxy wrapped in this carbon fibre casing?

I reckon if that was sitting on my lounge room floor, the new pup would start humping it.

**Mike** · January 8, 2015, 08:29 AM

Assuming its like their other cables, it's a non accessible EQ of sorts. There are X Ray scans out there on the web of Transparent boxes. What Transparent can do is tweak your cable to your speakers.

That's my understanding anyway.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 8, 2015, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Assuming its like their other cables, it's a non accessible EQ of sorts. There are X Ray scans out there on the web of Transparent boxes. What Transparent can do is tweak your cable to your speakers.

That's my understanding anyway.

Yes Transparent (as does MIT, but with a switch on their cables) matches/adjusts the cable electrical characteristics to the input impedance of the components or speakers for the original owner. Process takes about a week from door to door. Or course it assumes you don't switch frequently switch components in and out of the system; it is kind of a PITA say for reviewers. But it does make a sonic difference for both Transparent and MIT cables.

**Steve** · January 8, 2015, 11:40 AM

I've listened to MIT Oracles hanging off $5k loudspeakers. It did sound great but I couldn't rationalise such a pairing.

I would be curious to hear a demo of these and will look out for them at the next show.

**GaryProtein** · January 8, 2015, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

More bling to help separate the gullible from their money.

I'm sure the buyers will also find the need to put stillpoints under them!

**still-one** · January 8, 2015, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

I'm sure the buyers will also find the need to put stillpoints under them!

Actually I know someone who has each Opus MM2 sitting on a HRS platform.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 8, 2015, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

I'm sure the buyers will also find the need to put stillpoints under them!

Andy already designed that into the network boxes.

But since you asked, the Golmund cones under the Ref. XL cables network boxes improved the sound.

**Elberoth** · January 8, 2015, 03:06 PM

Top me it looks like Fangio's 1954 Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow:

**FlexibleAudio** · January 8, 2015, 10:24 PM

Chickens are low fat and reduce inductance.

**tunes** · January 9, 2015, 11:58 AM

Ok. What's inside the chicken?
Quick ces video of Josh Clark from Transparent talks about their cables

**BlueFox** · January 9, 2015, 04:26 PM

Interesting video. He admitted that the cables act as filters. Rather than be 'Transparent', they filter what they feel needs to be removed. That is fine if the wire does not distort what is being sent from the amp to the speaker. I would like to see the result of a 10kHz square wave sent through their cable by comparing the output to the input. If it is the same then I might consider their cables, but I suspect it will be distorted. Personally, all I want cable technology to do is have the signal at the sink be the same as it is at the source. Granted, it does take technology to achieve that, but it can be done. For example, Shunyata runs the 10kHz square wave through 100' of cable to demonstrate their technology allows the signal to be passed transparently.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 9, 2015, 05:15 PM

If

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Interesting video. He admitted that the cables act as filters. Rather than be 'Transparent', they filter what they feel needs to be removed. That is fine if the wire does not distort what is being sent from the amp to the speaker. I would like to see the result of a 10kHz square wave sent through their cable by comparing the output to the input. If it is the same then I might consider their cables, but I suspect it will be distorted. Personally, all I want cable technology to do is have the signal at the sink be the same as it is at the source. Granted, it does take technology to achieve that, but it can be done. For example, Shunyata runs the 10kHz square wave through 100' of cable to demonstrate their technology allows the signal to be passed transparently.

If reproducing a square wave was all it took, audio would be perfect.

**BlueFox** · January 9, 2015, 05:20 PM

A square wave is the summation of all frequencies, which is why it is a standard measurement tool, and one of the most difficult tests to achieve. Granted there are other variables, but as an engineer, I like a little more science than 'Trust us' behind a product, especially one that cost 5 figures. You spend your money how you like, and I will do the same.

**KeithR** · January 9, 2015, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

So basically you're saying that the specially made carbon fiber casing designed by Andy Payor and used to house Transparent's network is useless? Have you ever done comparisons? Have you ever listened to the Opus cables?

Can anyone explain why fancy CF is so expensive or necessary. What's inside- let me guess, a Zobel network with "premium" parts?

BMW builds half an i3 with CF and it costs less than these speaker cables

**Myles B. Astor** · January 9, 2015, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Can anyone explain why fancy CF is so expensive or necessary. What's inside- let me guess, a Zobel network with "premium" parts?

BMW builds half an i3 with CF and it costs less than these speaker cables

Well first of all, BMW sells more cars than TA does cables. Something about savings.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 9, 2015, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

A square wave is the summation of all frequencies, which is why it is a standard measurement tool, and one of the most difficult tests to achieve. Granted there are other variables, but as an engineer, I like a little more science than 'Trust us' behind a product, especially one that cost 5 figures. You spend your money how you like, and I will do the same.

Other variables? Really? Tell that to KOJ. Or John Curl.

That's hardly an answer but a cop out.

**Garth** · January 9, 2015, 08:03 PM

I have a question has any wife had their husband committed for the money spent on cables. Just wondering

**BlueFox** · January 9, 2015, 08:07 PM

LOL. First you say

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

If reproducing a square wave was all it took, audio would be perfect.

Then I say "Granted there are other variables"

And now you say

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Other variables? Really? Tell that to KOJ. Or John Curl.

That's hardly an answer but a cop out.

So make up your mind, is reproducing a square wave all you need for perfect audio, or are there other variables?

**Myles B. Astor** · January 9, 2015, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

LOL. First you say

Myles B. Astor - "If reproducing a square wave was all it took, audio would be perfect."

Then I say "Granted there are other variables"

And now you say

Myles B. Astor - "Other variables? Really? Tell that to KOJ. Or John Curl. That's hardly an answer but a cop out."

So make up your mind, is reproducing a square wave all you need for perfect audio, or are there other variables?

You're the engineer.

Have you followed the work of John or Keith on measurements and their relationship to what we hear?

One thing they sure don't use is square waves.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 9, 2015, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Garth

I have a question has any wife had their husband committed for the money spent on cables. Just wondering

Or hung them up by their spades?

**MikeCh** · January 9, 2015, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Or hung them up by their spades?

Or cut off their bananas.

**BlueFox** · January 9, 2015, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

One thing they sure don't use is square waves.

LOL. Of course they do. That is a basic test. I suppose they don't use signal generators, multi-meters or oscilloscopes either.

The question is how degraded will the square wave be before it becomes audible.

As I said before, a cable should take the output of the source and deliver it unchanged to the sink. Any modification of the signal is distortion. Somebody might like the distortion, but that doesn't change the fact it is distorted.

**Alpinist** · January 9, 2015, 08:52 PM

I actually like Transparent Cables. There is a certain ease to their sound. I believe that every high level cable on the market is voiced. I just think they are priced way too high.

Ken

**FlexibleAudio** · January 9, 2015, 08:54 PM

Looking at a square wave before and after it runs through a cable says a lot about the cable and nothing about whether a square wave is reflective of music. That is an entirely different subject that can be and has been discussed ad nauseum. I think that is Bud's point and frankly one I consider relevant.

**BlueFox** · January 9, 2015, 09:00 PM

Yes. Thank you. If a vendor wants to sell me their cables then prove it does not distort the signal. All cables distort the signal. The trick is minimizing that distortion.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 9, 2015, 09:10 PM

Might I suggest:

http://jockohomo.net/data/johncurl-v.0.1.pdf

You can start around pg. 131 but the rest makes for interesting reading also about how little we know and how most of it is rediscovering the wheel. Or as Dick Sequerra once said to me when viewing another designer's schematics, I made that mistake 30 years ago.

**mep** · January 9, 2015, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Yes. Thank you. If a vendor wants to sell me their cables then prove it does not distort the signal. All cables distort the signal. The trick is minimizing that distortion.

So does that mean you don't buy any cables?

**still-one** · January 9, 2015, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Yes. Thank you. If a vendor wants to sell me their cables then prove it does not distort the signal. All cables distort the signal. The trick is minimizing that distortion.

Who says minimizing distortion is always the goal? Surely that is not the case in this hobby. I buy all of my gear including cables because it gets me closer to what I want to hear. The reason I buy Transparent (and MIT prior) is because of what they do to the signal. I could care less how it is done, just so that something is done. As far as pricing is concerned we all draw a line in the sand as to what we are willing to pay for any speaker or component in our systems. If someone prefers Monster Cable, Synergistic Researh, Tara Labs, Wireworld, ....... I have no issue with that.

**FlexibleAudio** · January 9, 2015, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by still-one

Who says minimizing distortion is always the goal? Surely that is not the case in this hobby. I buy all of my gear including cables because it gets me closer to what I want to hear. The reason I buy Transparent (and MIT prior) is because of what they do to the signal. I could care less how it is done, just so that something is done. As far as pricing is concerned we all draw a line in the sand as to what we are willing to pay for any speaker or component in our systems. If someone prefers Monster Cable, Synergistic Researh, Tara Labs, Wireworld, ....... I have no issue with that.

Agree completely. Where we decide to put our tone controls is a personal thing. But some of us prefer not to do it in cables. Also agree, price should have nothing to do with this issue.

**FlexibleAudio** · January 9, 2015, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Might I suggest:

http://jockohomo.net/data/johncurl-v.0.1.pdf

You can start around pg. 131 but the rest makes for interesting reading also about how little we know and how most of it is rediscovering the wheel. Or as Dick Sequerra once said to me when viewing another designer's schematics, I made that mistake 30 years ago.

Thanks for saving me from the first 130 pages.

After reading the cable part, I still don't see anything that refutes the view that the signal delta is what tells you about the cable, not what particular test you decide to run. John uses several tests in his work including a sensitive test which he originally designed to set negative feedback on his preamps and he has it available to measure very subtle changes in cable too. The point is he is still looking at the subtle changes, irrespective of the test. Unless I completely missed something.

**BlueFox** · January 9, 2015, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Might I suggest:

http://jockohomo.net/data/johncurl-v.0.1.pdf

You can start around pg. 131 but the rest makes for interesting reading also about how little we know and how most of it is rediscovering the wheel. Or as Dick Sequerra once said to me when viewing another designer's schematics, I made that mistake 30 years ago.

What at about it? He says he measures distortion in cables. In fact, he seems to be a measurement fanatic.

Personally, I feel that trying to tune your system with cables is ridiculous. It makes zero sense to change cables with gear changes. Buy cables that do not distort the signal, and you can use them with any piece of gear you buy. Of course, this means that if you don't like the sound then the gear is the problem. Buy better gear.

**Myles B. Astor** · January 9, 2015, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

What at about it? He says he measures distortion in cables. In fact, he seems to be a measurement fanatic.

Personally, I feel that trying to tune your system with cables is ridiculous. It makes zero sense to change cables with gear changes. Buy cables that do not distort the signal, and you can use them with any piece of gear you buy. Of course, this means that if you don't like the sound then the gear is the problem. Buy better gear.

Where dem square waves?

**BlueFox** · January 9, 2015, 10:53 PM

Ask him. He was measuring distortion, not trying to demonstrate the result of minimizing distortion.

**mep** · January 10, 2015, 11:15 AM

I forgot what the original purpose of this thread was. Were we debating the look of the latest CF enclosure for Transparent Audio cables or are we debating the value of Transparent Audio cables in particular and network cables in general?

**Mike** · January 10, 2015, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by mep

I forgot what the original purpose of this thread was. Were we debating the look of the latest CF enclosure for Transparent Audio cables or are we debating the value of Transparent Audio cables in particular and network cables in general?

No, no, nothing so debate inducing. We were simply trying to decide if it looked like a chicken or something else. LOL.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**socfan12** · January 10, 2015, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

No, no, nothing so debate inducing. We were simply trying to decide if it looked like a chicken or something else. LOL.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha, looks like a chicken in carbonite to me!

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