Monster vs $35k Opus

[mtrycrafts]

While this is about cable, it is also about a most recent challenge to hear differences and perhaps a follow up for the Randi $1 million challenge

I browse AVS periodically and have seen this brewing when the Randi challenge went out for the Monster and the Pear $7500 cable.
Another poster there Mike Lavigne was interested in the challenge but set up his own preliminary testing the Opus against the Monster Randi proposed.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=941184

While the messages at the link and other embedded links are lengthy, the outcome was interesting considering the cable has a box in it

This is Mike's system:

http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/663.html

 

[Seth=L]

His system is quite amazing. If he had made some price cutbacks on cabling and other cabling devices, he could have bought an Austin Martin more than likely.

 

[fmw]

Interesting thread over at the other forum. It amazes me that you can prove definitively to people that cables don't "sound" and they still don't believe it. I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to prove it to myself once with a whole slew of cables so I've never had to take other people's word for it.

 

[Haoleb]

His system is quite amazing. If he had made some price cutbacks on cabling and other cabling devices, he could have bought an Austin Martin more than likely.

And if he had really made some cutback maybe he could have bought a genuine Aston Martin

 

[davidtwotrees]

I am a subjective objectivist.

Wow. Pretty much sums up our collective objectivist stance here at audioholics. And the testee was very gracious.......although he said there was just a "chink" in his subjectivist armor and he was still processing his thoughts.
I also noted that the objectivist guy that helped Mike do the test said that the Santana vinyl was just about the best slice of music he had ever heard, so this subjectivist system was doing something right. I also saw the room had a "cost no object" sound treatment that looked like something from an opera house.
I am a subjective objectivist. Smiles. Meaning if I had cost no object money, I would buy Opus cables rather than zip cord. If just for the looks alone.

 

[Seth=L]

And if he had really made some cutback maybe he could have bought a genuine Aston Martin

Haoleb Spellcheck!

 

[Seth=L]

Meaning if I had cost no object money, I would buy Opus cables rather than zip cord. If just for the looks alone.

You would spend more on cabling than what your speakers cost? You are insane.

 

[davidtwotrees]

You would spend more on cabling than what your speakers cost? You are insane.

Well, no, what are Wilson Alexandrias going for? Or some other high end no price speakers? Certainly more than Opus cables......
But, meh, it costs what it costs if I was in the price no object world of make believe...

 

[mtrycrafts]

His system is quite amazing. If he had made some price cutbacks on cabling and other cabling devices, he could have bought an Austin Martin more than likely.

With that kind of disposable $$$ to build what he did, I bet he could have that as well and the cables.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Interesting thread over at the other forum. It amazes me that you can prove definitively to people that cables don't "sound" and they still don't believe it. I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to prove it to myself once with a whole slew of cables so I've never had to take other people's word for it.

Well, not surprising when you look around in other human endeavors that some will never accept facts that would overturn their beliefs. I guess that is why we have so much bs out there and marketeers have such a field day with some of us.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Wow. Pretty much sums up our collective objectivist stance here at audioholics. And the testee was very gracious.......although he said there was just a "chink" in his subjectivist armor and he was still processing his thoughts.
I also noted that the objectivist guy that helped Mike do the test said that the Santana vinyl was just about the best slice of music he had ever heard, so this subjectivist system was doing something right. I also saw the room had a "cost no object" sound treatment that looked like something from an opera house.
I am a subjective objectivist. Smiles. Meaning if I had cost no object money, I would buy Opus cables rather than zip cord. If just for the looks alone.

I bet the room made a huge difference in sound no matter what the source was, if it was well recorded. And, looking at the care he goes through with his vinyls it is probably no wonder. As well, who know what the helper remembers over time and the quality of past rooms and recording. This event is his freshest in memory so of course he has good to say about it. I probably would have enjoyed it equally An amazing room and setup.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Well, no, what are Wilson Alexandrias going for? Or some other high end no price speakers? Certainly more than Opus cables......
But, meh, it costs what it costs if I was in the price no object world of make believe...

He had used two sets per speaker. What, at least $120K for speaker cables alone, unless he got a deep discount?

 

[fmw]

I bet the room made a huge difference in sound no matter what the source was, if it was well recorded. And, looking at the care he goes through with his vinyls it is probably no wonder. As well, who know what the helper remembers over time and the quality of past rooms and recording. This event is his freshest in memory so of course he has good to say about it. I probably would have enjoyed it equally An amazing room and setup.

You bet. The room is everything. Even my uninspiring stuff would sound good there.