good bass, tranparent, liquidity, laid back

sound can be edginess on certain equipment

Purchased this interconnect cable for second-hand on the dealer shop, could be fully broke-in. It shine after few days of test onto my system. The sound was open, smooth, detail and punchy when play jazz, pop and rock music. Before hook-in these cable, i have try few other cable such as Monster cable M1000i and Taralab Ref Gen 2. Among those cable that i did an experiment, i found Straightwire is obvious choice to match my overall system. No doubt these cable will be remain as my reference cable.

For those who are keen to buy these cable beware of your wrong equipment, careful match needed. Happy listening ;)


Associated component tested with :-

1) Own self made, power distributor terminated with AFA(Hera) cable

2) Audioquest AC12 power cord to Classe 151 integrated amp

3) XLO Reference 2 AC power cord to Rotel-991AE cd player

4) MIT MH-750 speaker cable

5) Speaker - B&W 601 / Totem Acoustic Arro

6) Interconnect tested - Monster cable M1000i / Taralab Reference Generation 2 / StraightWire Maestro

I've recently been looking for an interconnect that helps smooth out some of the brightness and aggressiveness of a system with all solid state equipment. I have tried Kimber (pbj, hero, kcag, 8tc), Nordost (blue heaven, solar wind, blue angel),and others. I lived with the Kimbers for a long time and felt they were a good compromise....but not that great all around...especially in the rendering of high frequency detail and smooth midrange. Changed to the Nordost and thought I'd solved the high frequency detail, which they do, however they tend to add hard leading and following edge transients to midrange frequencies, just couldn't come to terms with the compromise. Then, I tried the Maestros on a lark. I bought a pair of Virtuosos, and was loaned a pair of Maestros and I combined them in my system. Virtuosos were too thin sounding, although the bass became fuller and more extended. The Maestros however get all the detail and soundstage width dead on, they provide a smooth, liquid, warm midrange and a detailed, but not bright or rolled off treble. The bass is there, but you could not say it was overemphasized in any way. I'm going to try a pair of Maestro 2 speaker cables in place of my Kimber 8 tc's, to completely wire my system with Maestros to see if the synergy continues. My associated equipment is a CAL Icon MK 2 cd, Audio Research ls-9 pre-amp, Bryston 4B amp, and Thiel cs 2 2 speakers. This is the most lush and balanced the system has ever sounded, I've been told to try MIT 330 interconnects, and MIT 750 speaker cable as an alternative, and perhaps that will be next, but for now Maestro is the way to go for my system. five stars for construction, looks, and performance.

Maestro II represents excellent value, especially with the Neutrik XLR terminations. However, they are very system specific. Watch out for brightness in the wrong system! Associated equipment:Bryston BP-25 preamp, 4B-ST amp, Mirage OM-6 spkrs, Sony X777ES Transport, Classe DAC-1, Monster 2.4s Biwire Speaker cables.

Soundstage, bass, overall neutrality,

slightly bright (due to the cover of the brand)

Bought this interconnect from someone who used it for a year. So it should be fully broken in. At first the seller mentioned that this cable can be a bit noisy. Thus after purchase and listen, yes indeed it has a glare in certain recordings. But overall it is very capable. Fast and neutral, not overally warm.

One important tweak to share with all Straightwire buyers!!!
Having read in the website that says removing the plastic that covers the word StraightWire and serial number (only for high model of cables), all harshness and glare will be removed. I followed the intructions, with a bit of unwillingness because the word and serial number shows serves some aesthetic purpose. Hooked it up and try with not much of confidence, I was amazed! The culprit is found - the plastic cover of the brand and serial no. The cable is so much more sweeter, less noisy, more listenable. It is as if it hsa transformed into another better cable. So if your cable has this plastic cover, pls pls remove it. You will never regret! Read the 1st review by Rusel and that really describes the nature of this cable. For those who find this cable bright, remove the cover and you will discover a new highend cable!!!

Well shielded, well made, will last forever, optional XLR termination for interconnects, reasonably priced

None

Ok let me get this out right now... I do not believe in spending lots of money on cables nor do I believe in A/B'ing cables. What I believe in is buying a cable that is well made from good materials and well insulated (because I have a lot of electronics and computers sitting around no doubt giving off lots of crap) that constitutes a long term investment. Also given my gear XLR gets points.

These cables fit the bill perfectly. They are not obscenely priced. In fact all things considered they are very reasonably priced. The insulation is incredibe, and you really can't ask for better design and construction in a cable. The termination is very nice (I have XLR, spades, bananas, and standard RCA on various cables) as well.

I use these for interconnects and speaker wire throughout my system. Even with all my gear and EMR etc. my system sounds clean as a whistle. That's what I'm looking for in a cable.

I can't see spending more on a cable. This cable makes sense and unless you bought your stereo at Radio Shack you should really consider stepping up to the Maestro II's from whatever Brand X cable you are using presently.

--Ev

Similar Products Used:

Various cables from Monster Cable, Kimber, and others.

Everything, especially treble, imaging and naturalness.

Nothing to criticise when the price is the one for the United States.

The connectors and the copper are "high end" ideed. Straight Wire Maestro II is among the best cables in its price range. Many times better than some cables coasting twice its price.

Bass is extended as far as any and fully resonant, but at the same time under control. Midrange is natural, making voices sound live, while treble is sweet, clear and always detailed.

I used these interconnect cables in three different systems. They are astonishing, superb, great!

For Straight Wire, conections make the difference, especially when they're there and the only thing that appears is music, clear and natural.

Congratulations, Straight Wire for making music sounds even better!

Similar Products Used:

Kimber KCAG, Van den Hul The second...