Thread: Viero Cables

My review of the Viero speaker cables that I briefly mentioned in the Shindo thread is now online and you can read it here: Viero Equilibrio Speaker Cables

I fully realize that anytime I post a link to a review I write that I open myself up to criticism and I'm fine with that. Every reviewer should expect that and I do. My main reason for posting the link to the review is not to expect back-slaps on my review, but rather to bring your attention to a new cable company that I think is onto something. These speaker cables are the most expensive speaker cables that I have ever had in my system as my previous frame of reference is a $4,500 pair of MIT bi-wire speaker cables with network boxes that I used to own before I bought the NOLA KO speakers. Those of you who own mega-buck speaker cables will have another point of reference. I sent these cables to Myles so he can do a follow-up review as Myles has far more experience than I do both as a reviewer and with exposure to tons of high-priced gear over the years.

Having said all of that, I firmly believe these speaker cables are something very special. As a reviewer, sometimes I struggle to find words that haven't been used 1000x before to try and convey to you what I'm hearing in a way that will be meaningful to you as readers. Once these cables are broken-in, they disappear as links in your chain and somehow they pass the information from your source, preamp, and amp in such a way that you hear through them and not to them. I talk about that in my review, but adding these cables to your system is for me like removing something in your signal path that was adding things that reminded you that you are listening to a facsimile of music vice taking you another step closer to having live sound in your room.

I'm working on my followup comments but there's little to add. Mark did a great job summarizing the Viero's strengths. We talk about that elusive system magic? Well this cable brings it and more to the table.

Now I just wish Mark would stop whining about how his system has taken five steps backwards after sending the cables to me for comment.

Two questions, Mark- and thanks for your review.

Do you think the dramatic change at first was more related to taking a network cable out of the system? I would expect that to be honest.

Would you recommend a reader put 8k speaker cables on a 10k speaker?

KeithR

ps. you might want to update your system on the PF website

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

I'm working on my followup comments but there's little to add. Mark did a great job summarizing the Viero's strengths. We talk about that elusive system magic? Well this cable brings it and more to the table.

Now I just wish Mark would stop whining about how his system has taken five steps backwards after sending the cables to me for comment.

I wish I could stop whining too. I heard what the Viero cables did for my system with the Wilson Benesch speakers and I knew how they elevated the sound of my entire system. I only heard the NOLA KOs with the Viero cables which made me afraid of what the KOs would sound like without the Viero cables. As I said in my review, I was right to be afraid. So yeah, I'm whining. I have never felt this way before about a pair of speaker cables nor did I understand the magnitude of change speaker cables could possibly bring to a system. I went from the promised land back to hi-fi land. Enough said.

Originally Posted by KeithR

Two questions, Mark- and thanks for your review.

Do you think the dramatic change at first was more related to taking a network cable out of the system? I would expect that to be honest.

Would you recommend a reader put 8k speaker cables on a 10k speaker?

KeithR

ps. you might want to update your system on the PF website

Keith-First of all, you are absolutely correct that I need to update my system on PFO. As for the dramatic change being related to taking a network cable out of the system, the answer is no. The reason being that I sold the MIT cables before I borrowed the Wilson Benesch speakers from a friend. I knew that I couldn't use bi-wire cables with my NOLA KOs so I sold the MIT cables long before I ever received the NOLA KOs and before I ever hooked up the Wilson Benesch speakers in my system. The Synergistic cables that I call out in my review are the cables I used with the Wilson Benesch speakers before the Viero cables arrived and they are what I'm currently using with my NOLA KOs.

As for recommending an $8k pair of speaker cables to use with a $10k pair of speakers, first of all remember the cables I reviewed are 5 meters long and I doubt most people will need that much length. As the length shortens, so does the price. Having said that, when I fell in love with the NOLA KOs at RMAF 2012, Carl was using $40k worth of Nordost speaker cables with his $10k speakers. The Nordost speaker cables cost more than the ARC Ref 5SE, ARC Ref 75, and the NOLA KOs combined that Carl was using in his demo ($32k vs. $40k). In light of that, I would highly recommend using the Viero Level 3 speaker cables with the NOLA KOs. Would I do the same for any other speaker that retails for $10k? I would have to hear them first before I would make such a blanket statement. All I can tell you is that the Viero speaker cables will bring out the best from your system. They can't create resolution, but they can get out of the way and let your system show what it's truly capable of.

I have some other thoughts on network cables, but I will save those for another day.

Originally Posted by KeithR

Two questions, Mark- and thanks for your review.

Do you think the dramatic change at first was more related to taking a network cable out of the system? I would expect that to be honest.

Would you recommend a reader put 8k speaker cables on a 10k speaker?

KeithR

ps. you might want to update your system on the PF website

No because I wasn't using a networked cable.

And actually I think the Viero cable captures the best attributes of networked and "traditional" cable design. But I'll say more in my comments as well as having the new TA Gen 5 cables coming in for review.

Finally Viero makes two lower priced lines. I haven't heard them but if they share the familial resemblance, they would be winners.

thanks for the clarification Mark!

Just to follow up on Mark's review:

Viero Equilibrio Cables

Originally Posted by bzr

Myles, so when are you ordering?

Soon. I'm also looking forward to hearing his phono cables.

Originally Posted by Zero

*Ahem* Anyway, Devis is an awesome guy. Moreover, he has a very solid grasp on the fundamentals that go into making a high performance transmission line. Great reviews, Myles and Mark. I look forward to hearing these cables at some point this year.

Hopefully Devis will find some other exhibitors to pair up with at Axpona.

Originally Posted by Zero

If they can make a pair of Nola's sound good - then they must be something special.

Hey now!

Welcome to the forum Devis !!

Thank you for joining.

We've read so many great things about your cables. They must be amazing.

Originally Posted by vierocables

Thank You Joeinid !

Proud to be AudioShark member

Regards

Welcome, Devis!