Last night, I decided I wanted to swap cables between my two amps, The VAC PA 35.35, which was connected with Synergistic Research Kalidescope I/C's, Synergistic Research Master Reference AC Power Coupling, and Synergistic Research Resolution Reference FX speaker cables. The Plinius SA 100 Mk III was connected with Audio Metallury AG-OC i/c, DIY 12 gauge Belden power cord, and DIY Supra Classic 6 speaker cable with rhodium Furutech locking bananas.

I determined it was actually easier to swap places with the amps, even though they both weigh in at around 80 pounds, than it was to swap out the cables. So after much grunting, the Plinius was in the bottom of the rack, and the VAC was on the amp stand between the speakers.

I first tried the VAC, which was still connected to my custom Tannoy HPD 315's. It actually sounded better I thought, than it had with the high-priced cables.

Then came the Plinius. Holy crap, I was not prepared for the improvement in the sound of this amp. I first played the 24 Karat Gold cd of "Breaking Silence", by Janis Ian. This is a great sounding cd, and I never heard it this well played before. "Ragpickers Dream", from Mark Knopfler, sounded superb as well, and last was "Everything Must Go", by Steely Dan, the multi-channel SACD. This too, sounded phenominal, better than I've ever heard.

While I haven't done much cable-swapping, and I used to be a real skeptic about the benefits of different cable designs, this at least points out to me that cable matching is very important in getting the most out of what your system is capable of. I come at this as an audiophile only, having no background in electronics. just a lifetime in the hobby, and learning things the hard way, through time and trial-and-error. I'm sure glad my curiosity led me to do this swap, it turned out to be well worth the effort of my 64 year-old body to do the grunt work. I love it when things work out.

Best regards,

Dan Thomason