I'm not sure on the year of the speaker cables I bought--I think 2009 or 2008?

I just purchased the LAT Intl. SS-800 Bi-Wire cables from Audigon. They're basically new or the last owner took excellent care of them. I plugged them into to my system after using some basic DIY Kimber Kable 4ts with spades for the past couple years and using some Audioquest speaker cables before the Kimber Kables. The LAT cables really changed my outlook on high-end cables. The soundstage seemed laid back and more natural than the sterile sound I was getting before. No doubt there was a difference--a difference the owner of the gear would only notice after hours of listening. My system is an amp, phono-amp, turntable, and speakers. Everything is vintage except the TT and phono amp.

For the past few years I kept wondering if I should go to a tube amp with the sound because the sound I was getting always seemed to sound more digital (hi-res DSD) with my 1978 Wharfdale E50's.I have never been a big believer in cables that cost more than a nice steak dinner and a bottle of wine, but these really took some of my skepticism away. I'm still not on the fence with any cables over $500, but maybe one day.

This is a review of the LAT International SS-800 MKII bi-wire speaker cable. First, my system. Speakers – ProAc D28. Amp, preamp and DAC are Audio Research VS60, SP16 and DAC7, respectively. Interconnect from DAC to preamp is the LAT International IC-300 Signature. Interconnect from preamp to amp is the Blue Jeans Cable LC-1. Sources are a Squeezebox 3 and a Rega P3-24. Digital cable from the Squeezebox 3 to the DAC7 is the Kimber DV-30. Overall, I would say that my system is quite revealing. Change a wire anywhere in the system and it tells you something is different. The ProAC D28s can be a bit forward and pinched if not careful with selection of partnering equipment and cables. Other speaker cable I have tried: Kimber 12TC (bi-wire), Kimber Monocle (single wire) and ProAc Signature Black (bi-wire). Now on to the review part. To my ears, much of the break-in occurred during the first 50 hours of playing time, where the top end seemed a bit closed-in. After the 50-hour mark the cables seemed reasonably broken-in. I would describe this cable as having an open, full-bodied sound without slowing down the music or causing any distortions of tonality. Some cables seem to (deliberately or otherwise) accentuate one part of the frequency spectrum at the expense of other frequencies. Not this cable; it is very well-balanced. Depth of the soundstage is another strong point. Instruments tend to be precisely laid out. Instead of instruments popping out in front of the speaker and being “thrown” forward, they tend to lay back in a very tight and controlled sound. But make no mistake, all the music is there and everything can be heard with great clarity and depth. Compared to the Kimber speaker cables, the LAT SS-800 Mk II is more laid back but just as detailed. Where the ProAc Signature Black fell short was in the bass region (not enough). Overall, I think the LAT is a very good speaker cable that can fit nicely into any high-end system without being the weak link. And, as a plus, it costs less than the going rate of the other speaker cables I’ve tried. This one is a keeper in my system.

Great transparency, super accurate harmonics, very quite background and enjoyably musical

None

This SS-800 Bi-wire MK II was a big surprise to me. I could not afford to buy their top of the line SS-1000 Bi-wire MK II so I settled for the lower priced one ($100.00 plus) less. Why was I surprised? Because it sounded exactly like the top of the line SS-1000 Bi-wire MK II which I was also auditioning at the time, taking advantage of their 45 day trial period. They are both super cables but how could this be, that they sound the same. My friend who has listened to both in my system agrees. A quick check at their web site tells all: “These differences however are almost impossible to detect in short runs (6 feet to 15 feet). Length requirements longer than 15 feet are best accomplished with the SS-1000 Bi-wire MK II because of its larger gauge; 10 vs. 12. Because of their near identical performance, the SS-800 Bi-wire Mk II is a real bargain.” I agree with their web site; it is a real bargain and an outstanding cable.

How does it sound? Wonderfully Transparent. The harmonics are unimpeded and accurate. Detailed but not etched. I hear things on my recordings now that were never revealed before. Mostly, it is musical and a pleasure to listen to. It is so clean and neutral that I am able to listen to my music through it for hours with out any fatigue. Again I must say, quite a bargain at that price.

I will be sending back the more expensive SS-1000 MK II cable and keep the SS-800 Bi-wire MK II cable

I will also send back the MIT Shotgun S2 Bi-wire cable I have also been auditioning. It is quite pricey and is no match for either of the LAT International cables

Customer Service

A great dealer and the folks at L A T Int'l are very friendly and happy to answer any questions about cables.

Similar Products Used:

MIT Shotgun S2 Bi-wire cable