Transparent Audio Speaker Cables - What's Inside the Network Boxes?

[Steady339]

I have heard that the network boxes for Transparent Audio speaker cables contain a zobel network--a small coil that blocks RF to reduce noise in the audio band and a simple resistor/capacitor circuit in parallel with the speaker load to smooth/reduce the high frequency impedance the amplifier sees. Is this true?

I couldn't find a complete explaination on the Transparent Audio site of the technical side of their products.

[2fastdriving]

Yup that's exactly what I understand. It seems a little bit like "cheating", but I can't argue with the results. I'm an owner.

[Steady339]

Marc,

I read about some DIY guy who did a little research and found internet photos of dissected TA speaker cables and a schematic. He said it cost him less than $200 in parts to make a nice TA Reference XL speaker cable copy!

Roger

[Still-One]

I know what's in them, MAGIC. That's all I care about.

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by Still-One

I know what's in them, MAGIC. That's all I care about.

+1

You can't forget it's the sum of the parts is greater than the whole along with the preciseness of tuning of those networks is the real important part and where a good deal of Transparent's R&D is spent and our price comes from...

Speakers: Rockport Altair 2
Preamp: Robert Koda K10 Amp: Ayre MX-R
Cables: Transparent Opus MM2 Spkr, Opus Gen 5 Interconnect
Power Shunyata Triton/Typhon, Anaconda Zitron cords (x9)
Digital dCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport & Clock w/ Transparent Reference XL Digital cables
Phono: Grand Prix Monaco TT, Schroder LT arm, Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish & Lyra Atlas, Nagra VPS/VFS
Racks: Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 (x2)

[Glisse]

Originally Posted by Steady339

Marc,

I read about some DIY guy who did a little research and found internet photos of dissected TA speaker cables and a schematic. He said it cost him less than $200 in parts to make some nice TA copies that sounded good!

Roger

But then he would have to charge almost $200 more for the Transparent Audio copies than the Wireworld copies I am sure he could also have whipped up

[2fastdriving]

Not to mention that diy snake oil canisters don't look nearly as cool as the carbon fiber ones TA uses. Plus, they are sealed really well... never leave unsightly oil stains on your carpet. Well worth the extra $20k.

[Steady339]

I respect the R&D that went into producing the high-quality sound of Transparent Audio cables. However, I don’t like the trend TA follows--a trend I believe started by MIT--of asking a very high prices for audio cables, with a tremendous price markup in relation to manufacturing costs.

Roger

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Steady339

I respect the R&D that went into producing the high-quality sound of Transparent Audio cables. However, I don’t like the trend TA follows--I believe started by MIT--of asking a very high prices for their cables, with a tremendous price markup in relation to manufacturing costs.

Roger

Roger
I don't disagree that some of Transparent's cables are ridiculously priced. I am sure they have some explanation as to why they charge almost double for XLR versus single ended cables where with other manufacturers there is only a relatively small up-charge for same.

[edkoz]

It boils down to 1.If people will pay the price, a company will continue to sell the product or 2. If you feel the value is not there, don't buy the product.