-
The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
The good news is that I got to hear the new AudioQuest Dragon Speaker cables today.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e4fa5dd9d3.jpg
The bad news is that I got to hear the new AudioQuest Dragon Speaker cables today.
I have to have a pair.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Inquiring minds want to know more...:exciting:
-
The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ritmo
Inquiring minds want to know more...:exciting:
My AudioQuest rep was at the store for 5 hours. He brought all the new speaker cables with him. We heard Thunderbird, Firebird and Dragon against my current top of the line AudioQuest “Oak”. Lots of back and forth comparing to Oak. Suffice it to say, all the models were a significant improvement in transparency and bass. He explained in technical terms why the bass is so much better. The Transparency was easy to hear, just like with the power cables. When he switched to Dragon, all bets were off. We had the best transparency and best bass, but the cables were smooooooooth without any loss in any area. Despite being all silver, this is a cable that is an all out assault on sibilant and bright recordings, while delivering all the detail and transparency.
The cables that carry the most current (power, then speaker, then IC) are, in my opinion, the ones that can show the biggest change. The change from a X cable to a AQ Dragon is night and day. The change from X speaker cable to an AQ Dragon speaker cable is about 90% of the power cord improvements we heard. Meaning, if going from X power cable to Dragon power cable was a “holy holy sh!t” moment, this was a “holy sh!t” moment. You like this technical explanation? LOL.
He didn’t mention anything about new IC’s, but I would expect to see something in a year or two.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Way out of my league. :hide: Thanks for sharing Mike.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Can you talk about how the Thunderbird stacks up against competitively priced SCs?
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GSOphile
Can you talk about how the Thunderbird stacks up against competitively priced SCs?
The level of transparency just kept increasing as we went from my Oak speaker cables up the line. Frankly, the Thunderbird wasn’t close to the Dragon IMO. A percentage improvement isn’t accurate, but I felt Dragon was 30-50% better.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Way way out of my league. Imagine a full loom of the Dragons. A ridiculous amount of money IMHO.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Audiophilehi
Way way out of my league. Imagine a full loom of the Dragons. A ridiculous amount of money IMHO.
Paul, it’s as big as a major component change, maybe more. Seriously shockingly good. Yes, expensive, but so incredible what they did in my system.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Paul, it’s as big as a major component change, maybe more. Seriously shockingly good. Yes, expensive, but so incredible what they did in my system.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks Mike. I’m sure it is if it has your seal of approval. I guess I just reacted to quickly. If it was a speaker, amp, preamp etc I’m sure I wouldn’t have batted an eye. So why not cables. :peace:
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Audiophilehi
Thanks Mike. I’m sure it is if it has your seal of approval. I guess I just reacted to quickly. If it was a speaker, amp, preamp etc I’m sure I wouldn’t have batted an eye. So why not cables. :peace:
Oh for sure. And there’s a reason why Hurricane is the sweet spot. But only listen to Dragon if you can afford it because there’s no going back.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Oh for sure. And there’s a reason why Hurricane is the sweet spot. But only listen to Dragon if you can afford it because there’s no going back.
What is the MSRP? And do these replace the Wild Blue Yonder or WEL Signature?
If so, I guess the companion interconnects are coming eventually.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mdp632
What is the MSRP? And do these replace the Wild Blue Yonder or WEL Signature?
If so, I guess the companion interconnects are coming eventually.
Yes they do.
Thunderbird is $4450 for 8 foot pair
Firebird is $14,300 for 8 foot pair
Dragon is $27,100 for 8 foot pair
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Wow.
I guess its all comes down to system synergy and subjective taste with cables.
But, I'd be curious to see how they compare to the Shunyata Sigma and MIT 2C3D Level 1.
Audioquest uses silver to increase the resolution but, at the expense of cost. Thus, that high price.
Whereas, others (Shunyta, Kubala-Sosna) for example use copper but, have different technologies to obtain that clarity and resolution.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
I would also be very interested to know what the comparable MIT cables are.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mdp632
Wow.
I guess its all comes down to system synergy and subjective taste with cables.
But, I'd be curious to see how they compare to the Shunyata Sigma and MIT 2C3D Level 1.
Audioquest uses silver to increase the resolution but, at the expense of cost. Thus, that high price.
Whereas, others (Shunyta, Kubala-Sosna) for example use copper but, have different technologies to obtain that clarity and resolution.
So with silver prices around $15 per oz these cables must weigh over 100 lbs to be worth that much. LOL
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jadedavid
So with silver prices around $15 per oz these cables must weigh over 100 lbs to be worth that much. LOL
There’s a lot more that goes into making a great speaker cable than just the material. And there are also different grades of silver.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
On one hand, I would like to hear a $27K speaker wire, but I seriously doubt they are over three times better than the TOL Shunyata speaker cables. Then again, maybe they are. :)
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Anyone looking for new cables, take a listen to the new audience frontRow cables, all I can say is WOW!
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BlueFox
On one hand, I would like to hear a $27K speaker wire, but I seriously doubt they are over three times better than the TOL Shunyata speaker cables. Then again, maybe they are. :)
Bud, they are truly amazing cables. I completely get the high price. But are they as much of an improvement as a new $27,000 preamp? I would say yes.
In this case, ignorance is bliss! I can just say for those who have compared the Tornado/Hurricane to the Dragon power cables, the speaker cable jump is just as pronounced.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AJR
I would also be very interested to know what the comparable MIT cables are.
Anyone who wants to come to the store and compare, I would be happy to coordinate. But for obvious reasons, I will refrain from any comparison myself. I know the MIT cables were a huge step up over everything I tried ON THE MAGICO’s. As for a comparison with AQ Dragon vs MIT, I have never tried and publicly probably never will. :). Once again, ignorance is bliss!
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
I have a firebird on order which is about to arrive! I wonder how far off from Dragon...
Have you got to hear it as well mike? I have noticed in some cross sections of both cables n the internet that firebird has 2 silver + 2 copper conductors, where dragon has 3 silver + 1 copper conductor ( which is something that makes me wonder, why advertised as all silver?).
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
the firebird Zero been in my system for almost 2 months now. highly recommended!
yes it expensive, but among all other high end cables my friends use, I haven't yet heard anything that comes even close.
extended highs without any harshness, great mid range, bass with crazy resolution, energy and definition. it simply gets out of the way. extremely transparent, dynamic and satisfactory sound. basically, it allows you to hear your equipment as it should be heard without any coloration or favoring a frequency over the other - and that is priceless.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Mike, if AQ Hurricanes are the PC sweet spot, is there a comparable AQ speaker cable sweet spot?
-
The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GSOphile
Mike, if AQ Hurricanes are the PC sweet spot, is there a comparable AQ speaker cable sweet spot?
Firebird Zero. But it really depends on the speakers/amp. The Dragon beats everything, but so it should.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
I believe I probably would need a bit more expensive speaker to take advantage of these cables.... I mean Jesus, over $27k for speaker wires.... man sometimes coming to the forum makes me feel soooo poor :reallymad:.... and I thought I was doing pretty good :)....
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Anyone try the Thunderbird’s yet?
Jacob
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sid325
Anyone try the Thunderbird’s yet?
Jacob
Me. We’ve tried them all in the Mythical Creature series. We use these on our MBL 101e mk2’s. They were quite a step up over Oak and Aspen.
For me, the Thunderbirds are like the Hurricane Power Cords sonically and in overall value.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Thanks Mike,
How are they as a full-range cable, not using the bass cable? I’m looking to replace my AcousticZen holograms.
Thanks again.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sid325
Thanks Mike,
How are they as a full-range cable, not using the bass cable? I’m looking to replace my AcousticZen holograms.
Thanks again.
Very good. We’ve tried them on a few pairs of speakers as “zeros” when we were comparing to the Oak and Aspen. I was quite surprised at two main areas:
Increase in overall transparency and detail without any harshness and bass.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
I currently use Rocket 88 speaker cables. If I were to upgrade these to the next level what would you recommend? The William Tell Zero? My other option would be the Ansuz P2.
I need about 3 to 4 meter.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mordante
I currently use Rocket 88 speaker cables. If I were to upgrade these to the next level what would you recommend? The William Tell Zero?
Yes. But that Rocket 88 is damn good for the money. May want to wait until you can swing the Thunderbird Zero.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Yes. But that Rocket 88 is damn good for the money. May want to wait until you can swing the Thunderbird Zero.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Tnx, but the Thunderbird Zero costs more then what I paid for my amps and almost more then what I paid for my speakers.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mordante
Tnx, but the Thunderbird Zero costs more then what I paid for my amps and almost more then what I paid for my speakers.
You may find a nice pair of used Oak?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Yes. But that Rocket 88 is damn good for the money. May want to wait until you can swing the Thunderbird Zero.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not to veer off, but my curiosity is peaked about your rocket 88 comment. Never tried AQ and currently have purist audio musaeus
https://www.puristaudiodesign.com/Da...r/spk_mus.html
Not sure what would be a worthwhile try and was thinking about 88 or aspen (used). Where are the 88 in the scheme of things? PM me if you’d like
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Swisstrips
Not to veer off, but my curiosity is peaked about your rocket 88 comment. Never tried AQ and currently have purist audio musaeus
https://www.puristaudiodesign.com/Da...r/spk_mus.html
Not sure what would be a worthwhile try and was thinking about 88 or aspen (used). Where are the 88 in the scheme of things? PM me if you’d like
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Aspen is definitely a step up, but the 88’s are excellent for the money.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Hello. I have a few question. I’m currently in the market for speaker cables and was thinking about getting the William tells plus bass. I have been doing some research and come there are so many videos and articles calming high end speaker cables are a scam? Is it worth the money or not?
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
School
Hello. I have a few question. I’m currently in the market for speaker cables and was thinking about getting the William tells plus bass. I have been doing some research and come there are so many videos and articles calming high end speaker cables are a scam? Is it worth the money or not?
You need to listen for yourself to determine the value, but the William Tell were a clear improvement in my system. I definitely recommend trying the new Audioquest speaker cable line. YMMV
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
School
Hello. I have a few question. I’m currently in the market for speaker cables and was thinking about getting the William tells plus bass. I have been doing some research and come there are so many videos and articles calming high end speaker cables are a scam? Is it worth the money or not?
There is only one way for you to really know: try for yourself! It also depends on your speakers, and the rest of your equipment. A $3,000 speaker cable cannot make a $500 speaker sound like a $20,000 speaker.
And don't worry about those videos and articles in the Internet you mentioned. More often than not, they are authored by people who never tried said "high end speaker cables".
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MPW
You need to listen for yourself to determine the value, but the William Tell were a clear improvement in my system. I definitely recommend trying the new Audioquest speaker cable line. YMMV
awesome what does your system consist of and what did tells replace
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
thyname
There is only one way for you to really know: try for yourself! It also depends on your speakers, and the rest of your equipment. A $3,000 speaker cable cannot make a $500 speaker sound like a $20,000 speaker.
And don't worry about those videos and articles in the Internet you mentioned. More often than not, they are authored by people who never tried said "high end speaker cables".
My system is a work in progress as I don’t have all my components. I purchased a New pair of ML Esl 9s at a great price. Im plan on getting a roger Sanders Magtech and his preamp to round out the system. I’m just trying to finalize my speaker cables
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
School
awesome what does your system consist of and what did tells replace
I demoed the ZERO’s against my Nordost Fry 2’s on KEF Reference 3 speakers. I have since sold the Reference 3’s and the Fry 2’s and am replacing them with KEF Blade 2 and WT ZERO BiWire. I thought I would go all in and get the BiWire after all of the positive things I have heard about adding the BASS cable into the mix. Made sense with speakers like the Blades.
When I purchased the Fry 2 wire a few years ago, it beat out the AQ offerings. The new stuff from AQ is a big improvement on their previous product in my estimation. More natural. Better sense of space. Really looking forward to getting everything installed!
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
I just got the AQ William Tell Bi-Wire combo (ZERO plus BASS), and it’s outstanding right off the box! I am very pleased. I had always been skeptical on AQ, but I am glad I tried.
Oh... I also have a Hurricane source I recently got for my Innuos ZENith MK3, and love it!
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
thyname
I just got the AQ William Tell Bi-Wire combo (ZERO plus BASS), and it’s outstanding right off the box! I am very pleased. I had always been skeptical on AQ, but I am glad I tried.
Oh... I also have a Hurricane source I recently got for my Innuos ZENith MK3, and love it!
What speakers are you using with the tells and what cables did you use prior to?
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
School
What speakers are you using with the tells and what cables did you use prior to?
Speakers are B&W 803 D3.
I have tried about a dozen speaker cables. Most recent were Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
thyname
Speakers are B&W 803 D3.
I have tried about a dozen speaker cables. Most recent were Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria
And the tells win?
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
School
And the tells win?
Too early to tell. Just got them. It will take a while to really evaluate. First impressions are definitely positive.
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Well, no one else is going to ask, so I will...how much?
-
Re: The good news is.....and the bad news is.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bluegrassphile
Well, no one else is going to ask, so I will...how much?
~$35k
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk