Insanely priced US$80k and US$40k
Transparent Magnum Opus speaker cables and
XLRs. Hilarious that it's "calibrated" to a Boulder amp and Magico speakers at 70°F (they couldn't even get the typing right?). I wonder what kind of "calibration" this is; presumably some change to the filter network inductors in the massive box to achieve a target frequency response (
probably just subtle low-pass filtering?). Good grief, what ever happened to the best wire being "no wire"? Why would I want a cable company sell me a low-pass EQ curve, coloring the sound in a way that's not even published/quantified at this kind of price? Apparently it takes 2 weeks to recalibrate and US$9500 if you want to "recertify" from Transparent if bought used for the speaker cables and US$4500 for the XLRs! LOL, what an awesome business model to tax from the secondary market, continue to perpetuate and then selling cultish
fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
I find Jay's character fascinating even if I don't think he's very insightful, realizing that most people (and I think even most audiophiles) simply would find this entertaining in a "laugh at you", comical buffoonery kind of way. I suppose he has some awareness of the company's ridiculousness on full display to the world here when he repeatedly suggested that we not "shoot (him) the messenger", and that it's the "craziest" product he has ever laid his money down on. I find it particularly disturbing when he said (12:50, bold added for emphasis):
"First, although I would say that I have not heard the Magnum Opus, I have no doubt in my mind that I am going to be in for a treat. At $80,000, I have high expectations for this speaker cable. ... [He then talks about the cable brand he represents/sells]... But I don't expect my cable brand to be able to take on an $80,000 speaker cable..."
Why don't you believe your cable line can take on the Transparent, Jay? You're not just a messenger; you're an actual
believer, one of the "
faithful" in this cultish "high end" company by talking like this as if $80,000 means anything than just a number they decided to lure/hook susceptible consumers with. What do you think can be so amazing about these cables compared to your cables?
Seriously, in a
blind listening test not influenced by price tag and appearances, I don't see why
even this US$40 roll of 12AWG OFC copper cable (
previously measured), at 10' length connecting your Boulder amp and Wilson speakers, would have
any trouble taking on the Transparent for high fidelity, "transparent" audio reproduction at 1/2000th the price. Sticking a filter network between amp and speaker isn't exactly preserving ultimate resolution! That filter might be audible but I bet some might not be happy with the toned down high frequency extension if the effect is large!
Why are you so hung up about money, believing that there's correlation between price and fidelity on things like this? I do not believe this is how intelligent, well-to-do audiophiles see things in this hobby. ;-)
Seriously folks, while it's entertaining occasionally looking at stuff like this, make sure to think critically and don't "
have such an open mind, your brain falls out". IMO, this is one of those
obvious situations where it's simply best to not spend money on nonsensical
snake oil, so as to discourage greedy/delusional individuals, companies and the "High End" industry from perpetually making stuff like this. It's the only way companies can respect that customers are not simply stupid audiophools (here's
another example of such products).
www.youtube.com
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archimago.blogspot.com
www.transparentcable.com
