Synergistic Research Tesla "Precision Reference" Spkr cable

I did not try the Precision Reference speaker cables, but I DID listen to the Precision Reference Interconnects. I thought they were quite good. I preferred them to the Apex, which, unquestionably, added warmth, and which Synergistic will nearly ALWAYS tell you to use on your CD player. That is, I think, a mistake, as the Apex clearly adds warmth to the equation, a la NBS power cords of years ago. Warmth isn't bad, but I noticed a discernible "thickening" of the sound. I didn't bother to determine which frequency range it was in, but I would assume somewhere in the upper bass-lower midrange area. It didn't affect the sound in a negative way, but I was aware that I preferred the Precision, although, reading the reviews (I think Six Moons did one), the reviewer stated that the Apex has "the most" of everything: more 3-D, etc., so I'd assume it could include mid-bass warmth as well. Excellent cables, I thought, but I'd have stayed with Precision: if I can hear an effect immediately, it's an indicator of a bump in the frequency range, and my preference is to only notice it subtly. If you use the Precision and then immediately put in the Apex, it WON'T be a subtle difference. I do have to say, I didn't notice any "slowing down" of the rhythm or lack of pace: I just think it's an obvious deviation from neutrality, in the same way that Shunyata's older cables -- the VX series of days of yore -- had a softening of the upper midrange/lower treble region, which were undeniably aimed for use on digital front ends. It was a nice effect, but it made violins lose their natural edge and sound sweeter than they should have. Fortunately, the CX series power cords, interconnects and speaker cable seem to have lost this coloration (and thank God for that!).
I did like Synergistic's power cords too, but for the money, not superior to the Shunyata, even at the Viper level and when you have a $2400 power cord that don't whip the pants off a $700 power cord, now that's value! (The $2400 power cord had some differences from the $700 Viper cord, but I mean it when I say they were "differences." One could reliably accept the Shunyata and feel very little loss (or guilt) by using them).

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