After a long journey in getting the "right" cables for my system i upgraded my AZ Matrix Ref to the Silver Ref between my Rega Saturn CD and Lavardin IT Amplifier, and with great results. I still use the Matrix, but now between my Rega Eos Riaa(the 2010 model) and the IT. The Matrix cables sounds a litlle bit darker than the Silver, so if you`re upgrading from Matrix to Silver, you better get used to a more "treble" sound, but they indeed offering much more details and great midrange. I recently upgraded my hole system with new cables, and it`s all Acoustic Zen now. The Silver was the last cable to hit my system, and after a burn in time for at least 50 hours or so, it began to sound perfect for me. I still haven`t decieded whatever i should use the Silver between the CD and amplifier or between the Riaa and amplifier, but i`m deffently keeping the cable. I think AZ offers very much for the money, and is proberbly the best value for money. Iv`e tried alot of different cables before buying the AZ. Some of the cables was 3 times the cost, but didn`t sound better. Iv`e tried Harmonic Tech, Lavardin and Danish Dyrholm cables, but every time i was getting back to AZ cables.
The Silver Ref offers a lot for the money and is the best cables out there for the money, i can only think of one cable there is better, and it`s the Absolute from AZ, but it cost the double.
My other cables used in this review is. AZ Satori Shotgun, Lavardin Power Chords, AZ Matrix Ref and Supra Main block! My system is Lavardin IT, Jean Marie Reynaud: Orfeo, Rega Saturn, Rega Eos, Rega P7 with Exact pu!

I'm not a technical type. I moved from Kimber Silver Streaks
to Acoustic Zen Silver Ref II. IMO the AZ's are much better.
Take 'A Farewell To Kings - Rush'. My vinyl version of this
recording trounces the Re-Mastered CD version. Now with the
Silver Ref II's in the mix... things are a whole lot closer. You'll
have to take this with a grain of salt... modern CD recordings
were full sounding with the Silver Streaks and comparable ICs.
But with vintage CD recordings ie: 'Sleepwalker - The Kinks'...
the music was muffled here and rolled off there. The AZ's bring
the sound of these recordings up to a higher level... not quite
vinyl... but within range.

Mids, bass, and highs are just fantastic

Addictive it is hard to leave my audio gear

One of the best cable around. Sounds nice. HIghs are extended without being harsh. The mids are to die for and the bass is accurate and tight. I have replaced all my NOrdost cables for these cable and I am so happy with the results. I have owned Kimber select, NOrdost, Tara labs, Monster cables, and straightwire cables and so far this are my favorite. Listen without fatigue and surprising details.

Customer Service

Great service

Similar Products Used:

NORDOST, KIMBER SELECT. TARA LABS, MONSTER CABLES, STRAIGHT WIRE

Realism, speed, transparency, price to performance

Fairly long Break in to sound their best.
A little on the thick side so you need some room behind the rack to work

Like many in this hobby, I often found myself asking the question: What is the weakest link in the system? For a long time, that answer was the cables. When I installed two pairs of the Silver reference II between my cdp and preamp and preamp and amp I knew I had found what I was looking for. These cables offer brilliant insight into the music without sounding harsh or bright. Silver cables can often sound "zippy" but these cables do not have that affliction, they just let the music through. They serve up the entire frequency spectrum in a way that makes the music much more lifelike.
They do need to be broken in for a while to sound their best. I would say at least 100 hours. They are so much better than the comparably priced Transparent cables I had before and on a different planest compared to the audioquest and monster stuff

Associated Equipment:
Exact Power EP 15
Esoteric X-03 CDP
Krell Showcase Processor
Simaudio Moon Titan Amplifier
VonSchweikert Audio VR4 Sr
Acoustic Zen Santori Shotgun Spkr Cables
Shunyata power cords

Similar Products Used:

Transparent, siltech, monster, Audioquest

Extended and Open sound throughout the Spectrum with Astounding Vibrancy and Trasparency. Detailed,Smooth,Extended,Neutral, Authorative.

None.

In this world of "High End" Interconnects cables there are many great Interconnects starting from Monster M series,Harmonic Technology,Tara Labs,Audioquest,Straightwire, XLO,Cardas,Kimber,MIT,Synergistic Research,Wireworld and many others all the way to the Nordost Valhalla.Many of these Interconnects have their own characteristics and will sound different from one system to another.They all sound great but were one pair will have the tendency to "excel" in one area of sound another cable will have what the other one is lacking of.It will be very hard to find a pair of Interconnects that will own and carry all of the many attributes that makes a pair of interconnects "ASTOUNDING AND REMARKABLE".Well that's where Acoustic Zen's Silver Reference II Interconnects comes in.These are the most complete Interconnects in the market today in sound and body. It will take someone very special and very knowlageble in the aspect of sound reproduction to be able to make a cable so remarkable that it will blow the competition hands down and that person is non other that the Highly Regarded Acoustic Zen's chief designer and owner Mr. Robert Lee.He is a genious at what he does best and that is making cables that will give you the most natural and real sound reproduction that no other cables will be able to reproduce. The Silver ReferenceII Interconnects are the best-sounding audio cables ever created.These cables will convey the majesty and power of a concert hall orchestra and at the same time preserving the sensual intimacy of solo vocals.The Silver Reference will bring out a more extended and open sound throughout the spectrum with astounding vibrancy and trasparency.The music flows without impediment.It is extremely detailed,smooth,extended,neutral and authoritative.It is so clear and natural you have the sensation of having every instrument and vocal be present before you.In my many Audiophile years of listening to so many interconnects and many costing three times more than the Silver Reference I have not found one pair that will own the same attributes as these astounding interconnects. Many high end magazines in their reviews of interconnets have compared the Silver ReferenceII to sound either better or equal to the highly acclaimed Nordost Valhalla. Trust me I used to owned a pair of the Valhalla and don't get me wrong ther are trully excellent Interconnects but they just didn't bring out the transparency and detail with the clarity and realism as the Silver ReferenceII.If you want to own the best and most complete pair of Interconnects in your system buy the Silver ReferenceII from Acoustic Zen. They are truly the State of the Art in Interconnects. My Complete Audio System uses only Acoustic Zen Cables and for a very Good reason.They are by far the most complete cables in the industry giving you the best performance you will ever hear from any other cables.That's why many Audiophiles choose the cables as their "Reference" cables in their system. I happen to be one of those Audiophiles. Thank you for reading my review about these wonderful Interconnects.

Similar Products Used:

Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II Acoustic Zen MC2=Zen Digital Interconnect Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun 10ft. Equipment Used: Parasound Halo C2 Processor Marantz SA11s1 Reference SACD/CD Player Musical Fidelity A308Cr CD Player Parasound Halo A21 Stereo Amp Definitive Technology BP7000SC

Tonal Cohesion from top to bottom, Macro and Micro dynamics, image accuracy, neutral, fluid liquid,smooth full

None

It's been a long strange journey of about a year and a half before I picked these cables. Go and listen for yourself! You will here the difference. I can't believe how these cables have pushed the envelope! They are a treat with all solid state components and music types. I wish I could say the same for the other brands that I have auditioned. If you have no dealer near by, call Robert Lee direct and he will be happy to let you demo any of his products. PS- check out the matrix and the power chords they are fantastic in every way. I am currently switching all my cables to Acoustic Zen each product they make is the best sounding value for the money. For one pair of Nordost Valhalla(losing no audible sonics) you can outfit your whole system!

Similar Products Used:

Siltech classics, Nordost Valhalla, Monster m1000, Harmonic tech, audioquest panther + cheetah + jaguar DBS, Transparent music link , Ultralink Ultima, and so on.

Ability to resolve high frequency detail. I agree with the reviewer above, they make the speakers disappear.

May not be the best choice for systems on the bright side of the spectrum. Matrix Reference may work better between amp and preamp connections.

This review is for the Acoustic Zen Silver Reference I XLR Interconnects. These cables are miles ahead of anything else I've had between my Levinson No 360 and No 380 and far and away the best investment I've made in sound to date. They recreate the subtle nuances of the most complex and delicate musical passages and allow the listener to hear the recording session and not just the medium! Purchased due to all the great reviews out there.

Similar Products Used:

Audioquest Anaconda, Audioquest Python, Better Cables Blue Truth

musical, not cheap but a great value for the money

none to my ears, if you need more mids - try the copper version

this cable is highly musical, clear and full and enjoyable in every range. the silver delivery is neither laid back or harsh and forward. literally makes the speakers disappear. great for great systems and not great if you need to fix or sculpt the sound. emotionally moving in all registers with a musical impact that lacks any hyped qualities or overdone frequencies. smooth and alive.

Similar Products Used:

cardas neutral reference/golden reference, millersound, mogami

Amazing resolution of the most subtle nuances and detail. Neutral.

None

Having obtained unbelievably outstanding results in my system with the Acoustic Zen Krakatoa power cord, I decided to try their Silver Reference balanced interconnects. After about 72 hours of break-in with white noise, I installed the Silver Reference in my system. These ICs have an ability to resolve the most subtle nuances of the music. Music is very detailed without being etched. Very neutral.
It is if I am at a live performance. If you are looking to extract that last bit of performance from your system, look no further than the Silver Reference. If you are looking to fix system problems, look at other cables.

System:
Classe CA-300
Classe CP-45
Classe CDP-.5
Denon DP59L, modified
PSB Stratus Gold i's
Chang Lightspeed CLS6400, modified, FIM 880 outlets
Acoustic Zen Krakatoa PC
Cardas Quadlink PC x 2
Audioquest Indigo 2
Dedicated 20A isolated ground A.C. line, FIM 880 outlet

Similar Products Used:

AudioTruth Lapis, Alphacore Goertz TQ2 silver.