Mark Grant Cables

[Ninanina]

Mark Grant has sent a set of G1500HD interconnects for me to try, what a super chap he is

I have to say that these are the best built interconnects I have ever handled

Initial impressions sound wise are good, but I will need some extended listening to see if these are keepers or not

I will be taking delivery of some of his speaker cable soon too

Anyone else using Marks cables?

[Richard Kimber]

I have power leads, and a pair of pure silver interconnects. All very good.

- Richard.

[DSJR]

Can't get along with the silver plated IC's I have, 'cos it doesn't work with my system, but I DO use the HD1500, HD1000 and excellent value mains lead he makes :)

[Ninanina]

I am also very wary of silver interconnects, I believe they can be a bit bright in the wrong system

[DSJR]

Silver PLATED cables can do this and in my case, make the sound larger than life and unbalanced tonally, but pure silver interconnects in the right context are reputed to be in a different league altogether - silver wired cartridge into silver IC's and so on...

[kininigin]

Yep same here,mains leads and the 1500's.I did have a pair of the 2000's,but had to sell them :(

I will probably stick with these for a long time i suspect,as i don't like chopping and changing for the latest and greatest next best thing! They do everything i want and don't draw attention to themselfs,if that makes sense.

[Ninanina]

kininigin how did you find the 2000 interconnect?

[kininigin]

kininigin how did you find the 2000 interconnect?

Pretty much like the 1500 but just had greater detail/seperation and is a touch more neutral,if memory serves me correctly.

I used it between a beresford dac and a croft pre.

[Alex_UK]

What I listen to mainly - i.e. my Computer Based Audio - is all MG stuff (2000 and 1500 if memory serves) and MG supplied speaker cable - very happy with it, but I must confess to being just a tad sceptical on some of the cable differences people describe - I'm not saying they don't make a difference, just that I personally have never heard the "night and day" differences some people describe. :)

[Ninanina]

Has anyone compared the MG cables to NVA interconnects?

[AlanS]

Has anyone compared the MG cables to NVA interconnects?

I have both in the same system but I use them to listen to music not do comparisons. Neither sounds odd.

[Ninanina]

I have both in the same system but I use them to listen to music not do comparisons. Neither sounds odd.

Oh ok, "I'll get me coat!".......... :doh:

[Alex_UK]

Ignore Alan Bev, he hasn't yet found the "Grumpy Old Git" thread - where I'm sure he'll have a field-day! ;) :lol:

[Gazjam]

I've used Mark Grant cables throughout my system over the years and found they are very very good.

Does what it says on the tin, so to speak and faultless service from Mark.

Alan's a bit grumpy Bev, needs to take things a little less serious imo. :)
Sorry Alan, no offence!

[Marco]

Hi Bev,

Do I use Mark Grant cables? Well, look at the system list on my signature... ;)

All of Mark's products are excellent, well-priced, and 'do what they say on the tin'. He hand-picks everything he sells, which is as far as possible British made, keeps his product range fairly small, but 'relevant', and everything he's directly involved in producing is made to the highest standard. The man is a perfectionist.

I've compared my G2000HD interconnects against some stupidly priced alternatives from well-known 'high-end' manufacturers, and I've always stuck with Mark's cables. I doubt that I'll ever swap them for anything else.

Mark is also one of the nicest blokes you'll meet and it's always a pleasure doing business with him. He's an asset to AoS and genuinely one of the industry's good guys. I'm sure that you'll enjoy using his cables as much as you will enjoy dealing with him :cool:

Marco.

[myles]

I have a set of GH1000D that, if nothing else, are very well made. Ive done so much swapping I'm not sure what has improved what!!

[realysm42]

Alans is the first and only person I've used the block button on in this forum.

The only time I dealt with Mark he was very helpful.

[The Black Adder]

+1 for MG... He's a bloody lovely bloke! And his cables kick ass!

[wee tee cee]

Cant agree more.... MG lets you trade in and move up the scale as finances permit. Makes the pursuance of this hobby pleasurable...great to deal with/great products/genuine passion in what he does with no non-sense pricing. Many of us on here put our money where our mouth is.

[guy]

Has anyone compared the MG cables to NVA interconnects?

Why ask :scratch:

Surely you are in the ideal position to come up with a considered opinion having previously extolled the virtues of NVA products.

Guy

[icehockeyboy]

Can I comment on some of Marks stuff that aren't interconnects?

I first dipped my toes into the Squeezebox power supply upgrade by purchasing an S Booster from him, and was pleased with what it did for a modest outlay.

Well, today I bought an MG best of both worlds PSU with the S Booster hard wired in, and what an amazing improvement!

Another dealer very kindly loaned me a different brand PSU, which in all honesty, I could not hear a difference, but the MG one is making a definite audible improvement.

Nice one MG, all I need to do now is ask him if my Squeezebox S Booster can be modded to fit my Bushmaster!

[Stratmangler]

Nice one MG, all I need to do now is ask him if my Squeezebox S Booster can be modded to fit my Bushmaster!

I'll answer that one - there's an SBooster with the required plugs on the end.
I have one (for the Bushmaster - it's the same size fitting) on the way right now, only it's to go on the end of the PSU connection for the Amptastic chip amp I bought last year :)

[Alex_UK]

I wouldn't touch Mark's cables with the proverbial bargepole... ;) :lol:

[myles]

I wouldn't touch Mark's cables with the proverbial bargepole... ;) :lol:

Well, that statement needs quantifying doesn't it? Or is the beer flowing where you are?

[Stratmangler]

Well, that statement needs quantifying doesn't it? Or is the beer flowing where you are?

Look at "Lilac Curtain" boy's signature :eyebrows:

[Alex_UK]

And the ";)" smiley should have been a hint! :) If only Mark sold them in lilac... :lol:

[Alex_UK]

Or is the beer flowing where you are?

Oi! I resemble that statement! :lol:

[myles]

Oi! I resemble that statement! :lol:

It's flowing here!!

[vinylspinner]

I use MG cables for all of my interconnects now and have been more than happy with the quality and performance, the service is always first class and Mark is a nice guy to deal with, buy with confidence.

Nigel

[icehockeyboy]

I'll answer that one - there's an SBooster with the required plugs on the end.
I have one (for the Bushmaster - it's the same size fitting) on the way right now, only it's to go on the end of the PSU connection for the Amptastic chip amp I bought last year :)

Hi Chris
Yes, I know that MG makes one specifically for the Bushmaster, but whilst one end of my Squeezebox S Booster fits, the other doesn't, hence me wondering if Mark can modify it by swapping the plug.

[Ninanina]

Why ask :scratch:

Surely you are in the ideal position to come up with a considered opinion having previously extolled the virtues of NVA products.

Guy

Guy, PLEASE don't attack me. I asked a simple question to get other people's opinions.....I thought that is what a forum is for!!! Thanks

[Fi-Wi]

Hi Chris
Yes, I know that MG makes one specifically for the Bushmaster, but whilst one end of my Squeezebox S Booster fits, the other doesn't, hence me wondering if Mark can modify it by swapping the plug.

Mark Grant is the reseller not the manufacturer of the SBooster and the BotW linear psu. Squeeze-upgrade (http://www.squeeze-upgrade.com/index.php) makes these great products.

[guy]

Guy, PLEASE don't attack me. I asked a simple question to get other people's opinions.....I thought that is what a forum is for!!! Thanks

Ninanina,

NO attack from me, just can't see the need for your asking about the comparison when you have Mark Grant cables and have had NVA cables.

Surely you are in the best position to contribute something to the forum by giving your opinion on their respective effects on sound quality - others will then be able to build on that discussion !!!

Regards. Guy

[myles]

Guy, I understand your viewpoint, but even one change of eqpt between the cable change will taint the comparison.

[icehockeyboy]

Just spoke to Mark, what a great guy by the way, and he is posting me an S Booster for my Bushmaster, and taking back mine for the Touch, for a very agreeable cost!

Top man Mark! :cool:

[icehockeyboy]

Mark Grant is the reseller not the manufacturer of the SBooster and the BotW linear psu. Squeeze-upgrade (http://www.squeeze-upgrade.com/index.php) makes these great products.

:oops:

[DSJR]

Haven't we all forgotten the £25 interconnect Mark makes up and sells? Not that long ago in real-time, our Marco was raving about them being so much better than the expensive Transparent Audio cables he'd tried (citation required please Marco).

Bev, it may be a good idea to wean yourself off hugely expensive stuff for a while and take stock of reality. There are some stunning £20 odd interconnects out there (the £3 odd one with "digital" on the plugs ain't bad either ;) ) which will do 98% of what is required of an interconnect and featuring balanced technical parameters which won't mess up the funny impedance and capacitance mismatches so prevalent in the tweakier and seedier side of domestic audio,*** where gear is deliberately hobbled in one area in an attempt to "improve" it in another..What the above is trying to say is that once you've hopefully weaned yourself away from marketeers and audio-bullsh*t, then you could carefully try dearer alternatives to see what you think. Any deviation from a well judged cheaper product should be VERY carefully thought out.

I use the HD1000 in stock form and trust it to do the job, and I'm sure the copper Eichmann version would be at least as good (copper connectors on a copper cable and screen) at a higher price. I also use a hybrid HD1500 (Neutrik pro phonos to Neutrik 1/4" jacks) and thought the sound too sharp in comparison with my home-made Klotz/standard Neutrik plugs concoction. These days, I'm darned if there's much if any difference between them at all - and that's with my ears on a good day :) so I've all but given up on this stuff, either because my ears are no longer good enough and/or I just can't be a*sed any more and just want to play music instead!


[edit] - It seems Jammy and his online boss think I was referring to NVA when I posted that comment, giving them a perfect excuse to have another go at my lack of education. I was actually thinking more of certain other products like AN and other expensive stuff on the fringes of audio-reality and the NVA stuff didn't even register on my horizon. I know Bev is trying to replace her NVA wires, but I swear NVA never came into my thoughts. In fact, I believe I've stated several times recently and in the past that NVA amps need to be used the way intended, with their dedicated cables, especially the speaker cables. Bloody internet, people can so easily mis-construe or mis-understand, especially if they have an agenda to do so ;)

In fairness to RD, he claims that his interconnect cables are designed to be as electrically non-intrusive as possible and should work well with anything. Anyone able to corroborate this?

[icehockeyboy]

Good post Dave!
:clapclapclap:

[DSJR]

Hope it wasn't too strong - I'm inclined to speak my mindset as it is at the time and sometimes it gets me into trouble.....

[Tim]

Guy, PLEASE don't attack me. I asked a simple question to get other people's opinions.....I thought that is what a forum is for!!! Thanks
Whoa, that's a bit strong Bev - I didn't see that as 'an attack', far from it actually :scratch:

As for MG cables they are superb, both build quality and value and I also wonder why people ask what they are like, as Mark has a 30 day sale or return policy, so folk can give them a go and find out for themselves ;) Can't comment on NVA though as I have never tried them.

[Stratmangler]

Hi Chris
Yes, I know that MG makes one specifically for the Bushmaster, but whilst one end of my Squeezebox S Booster fits, the other doesn't, hence me wondering if Mark can modify it by swapping the plug.

Couple of points Craig.

First, Mark does not make SBooster units - he is the UK agent for them.
SBooster are a separate Dutch company http://www.squeeze-upgrade.com/philosophy-behind-sbooster-concept-pm-29.html

Second, there is an SBooster with the appropriate size plugs on Mark's website http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_77&products_id=411

IIRC the Touch has a 2.5mm internal pin diameter, whereas the Bushmaster's is 2.1mm .

Edit - just read the following posts, and my points had been covered.

[Stratmangler]

Just spoke to Mark, what a great guy by the way, and he is posting me an S Booster for my Bushmaster, and taking back mine for the Touch, for a very agreeable cost!

Top man Mark! :cool:

Why are you sending the Touch one back?
I've always used my Touch as a transport into an external DAC, and it was immediately apparent to me that the SQ improved when I first connected the SBooster in circuit with the PSU/Touch.

[Sovereign]

I have compared MG cables, both the copper and the more expensive silver ones with NVA SSP cable, this was done in the same system with no other changes but the three cables mentioned.
I have four toddlers on their way to my house in 5 minutes so maybe after the carnage, when I have lit a fire with a beer in hand I'll post my findings.

[icehockeyboy]

Why are you sending the Touch one back?
I've always used my Touch as a transport into an external DAC, and it was immediately apparent to me that the SQ improved when I first connected the SBooster in circuit with the PSU/Touch.
Keep up son! :lol:

I now have the best of both worlds PSU with the hard wired S Booster, so the stand alone S Booster isn't needed for the touch, and is being exchanged for one to fit the Bushmaster.

[icehockeyboy]

Couple of points Craig.

First, Mark does not make SBooster units - he is the UK agent for them.
SBooster are a separate Dutch company http://www.squeeze-upgrade.com/philosophy-behind-sbooster-concept-pm-29.html

Second, there is an SBooster with the appropriate size plugs on Mark's website http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_77&products_id=411

IIRC the Touch has a 2.5mm internal pin diameter, whereas the Bushmaster's is 2.1mm .

Edit - just read the following posts, and my points had been covered.

You should have read the previous posts, all points were covered back then. :)

[Stratmangler]

You should have read the previous posts, all points were covered back then. :)

If you read all of the post you've quoted then you'll notice that I've already pointed that out - it's the bottom line of the quoted bit ;):ner:

[Marco]

If you read all of the post you've quoted...

All of the post? Was there all of only one? :D

;)

Marco.

[Andrew B]

I notice that Klotz cables have been mentioned above. Rega Couple is re-badged Klotz LaGrange cable and it's one of my favourites. I've only tried the copper Mark grant cables in the past. They were good, but I personally think the Rega/klotz has more of everything. It's a cheap-ish cable to try and holds its value well. Profi plugs on the Rega version are a real joy to use too.

I've never tried SSP but the original NVA Soundpipe is a tough act to beat IMHO. In most systems I've used (I've been a bit of a box swapper) I still prefer Soundpipe to anything I've tried. SSP should be even better. My only quibble is the stiffness. If you keep changing items/racks it can be hard to stick with one cable.

[icehockeyboy]

If you read all of the post you've quoted then you'll notice that I've already pointed that out - it's the bottom line of the quoted bit ;):ner:

You put the following posts.....how does that make any sense? :ner:

[Joe]

I've never tried SSP but the original NVA Soundpipe is a tough act to beat IMHO. In most systems I've used (I've been a bit of a box swapper) I still prefer Soundpipe to anything I've tried. SSP should be even better. My only quibble is the stiffness. If you keep changing items/racks it can be hard to stick with one cable.

I've owned Soundpipes too, no problem with the sound (they are effectively 'transparent') but a system relocation meant they were too short. I have tried Mark Grant's cables, but they didn't work for me.

[Sovereign]

Below is what I wrote at the time of the comparison.
MG Oyaide FTVS-510 pure silver stereo cable fitted with WBT 0110 Ag a truly superb cable, one I would highly recommend. I have also used the Mark Grant G1500HD Precision audio cable - Neutrik - and found them to be blisteringly good particularly starting at £65! You really can't go wrong.

The MG silver interconnects to me are very open, detailed and give a very full and weighty sound, not fat and heavy but very well balanced, a very open presentation and very impressive. The MG Silver interconnects don't belong to me and I had to get them back to where they belong, but before I did I wanted to compare them to a pair of NVA SSP Neutrik, as I have had my eye on these for some time.

I popped in the SSP's and the first thing I noticed was an even wider and more dynamic presentation. Strings that were plucked, drums that were hit or voices that were sung stood out more, there was seemingly clearer definition between other voices/instruments. I love the mid band texture and realism. To me the SSP's are very NVA, they get out the way and the music is presented 'live' before you; really fruity and full of texture and realism.

[wiicrackpot]

I've never tried SSP but the original NVA Soundpipe is a tough act to beat IMHO. In most systems I've used (I've been a bit of a box swapper) I still prefer Soundpipe to anything I've tried. SSP should be even better. My only quibble is the stiffness. If you keep changing items/racks it can be hard to stick with one cable.


I've owned Soundpipes too, no problem with the sound (they are effectively 'transparent') but a system relocation meant they were too short. I have tried Mark Grant's cables, but they didn't work for me.
+1 regarding the Soundpipe heard in a friends system, another i really liked but totally unworkable is the Cogan Hall Intermezzo,
both are a throw back in the day, being a cable sceptic, i still use 80's original Furukawa's PC-OCC OHNO continous casting jobbies.

[DSJR]

This is the reason why I and others find him so difficult -

"If you weren't such a lying ignorant egotistical prick, and HiFi Dave's (Radlett Audio) Rega mostly shill, then I might have shown you some respect - but sorry sunshine you just don't deserve it."

Ad hominem doesn't even begin to cover it... NVA stuff has this stain on it and it's comments like the above that take him and his products off the radar. Onwards and upwards :lol:

[Alex_UK]

Haven't you deleted that bookmark yet Dave? Really, there are only about 5 people iin the entire World that visit that site, and you shouldn't be one of them - let the fuckwits drown in a pool of their own bile!

[myles]

Still, this is all about the MG cables (so if anyone hates the brand enough to let me try some NVA SSPs, let me know!!)

[MartinT]

I would say that the MG1000HD is a very good base reference cable that punches way above its weight. It does nothing bad and everything to at least a very good level. It offers such good value for money that it can be considered a 'no brainer' replacement for all the standard cables supplied with equipment.

Value for money slopes off as you reach for higher quality: for instance, the MG2000HD using WBT connectors does sound better, but not by a great margin, yet costs considerably more (not Mark's fault, the WBT connectors are expensive).

I have moved up to Yannis cables (or down, if you consider that I used to use stupefyingly expensive Kimbers), and they are stunning cables but will cost an order of magnitude more than the MGs.

Start with MGs. If your system doesn't gel and sound good with them, look for a problem elsewhere in your component matching. Any cable swapping to try to fix a problem at this point is doomed to failure. ONLY upgrade your cables when things are singing really well, as they will only give you a few percentage points of improvement.

[AlanS]

Still, this is all about the MG cables (so if anyone hates the brand enough to let me try some NVA SSPs, let me know!!)

Far from hate them - I've 1 SSP and 1 Sound Cord. Both seem as able as MG HD1000 and base Cannare cables their rough equivalent. They are transparent and allow a fair amount through. There again I don't get hypercritical of cables like some do, unless something shouts at me. My terser version of these comments earlier didn't go down well with the OP

[MartinT]

base Cannare cables

Canare star-quad XLR cables are very good base reference cables for balanced systems.

[DSJR]

I must admit that absolute phase (generally on loads of music, not track by track) makes more of a difference to me, appreciating that some systems and system/room combinations are not sensitive to this.

[Sovereign]

Where did Bev go? This is her thread but she has disappeared ?

[DSJR]

Some people have things like work to get in the way and often not a chance at lunchtime to look in :lol:

[Ninanina]

Worry not, I'm still here!!

Mark sent me a pair of speakers cables through to try, he is such a super person to deal with

The speaker cable is very good indeed, I'm just not 100% certain about the interconnect, but I will be doing an A/B between that and the SSP soon before I decide which one to keep

What I can definitely say is that the MG cables seem to be an absolute bargain considering their sonic qualities ;)

[Sovereign]

Which speaker cable, and which ic?

[Ninanina]

Hi James
The speaker cable is not on MG's website yet, its the Van Damme hifi 2x 4mm; http://www.van-damme.com/25.html

And the interconnect is the G1500HD

[MartinT]

Mark sent me a pair of speakers cables through to try, he is such a super person to deal with

The speaker cable is very good indeed

Not casting any aspersions on Mark's speaker cables in any way, but if you already use LS5 then you should seriously consider NVA LS6 (or LS7) cables, both of which I have reviewed (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17999) and which sound excellent, representing great value for money at their price points.

[Ninanina]

Martin

I have absolutely NO intention of lining Mr Angry's pockets anymore than I have already, thanks :doh:

[MartinT]

That's your prerogative, Bev. I'm not getting dragged into the politics, just recommending a cable that I thought sounds very close to the much more expensive TQ Ultra Black that I use.

[Ninanina]

Thanks Martin for your recommendation

[Ali Tait]

That's your prerogative, Bev. I'm not getting dragged into the politics, just recommending a cable that I thought sounds very close to the much more expensive TQ Ultra Black that I use.

Careful Martin, you'll be accused of shilling again! :rolleyes:

[Ninanina]

I'm not sure I know what shilling is, or am I being dense ??? :scratch:

[Ali Tait]

Sorry Bev, it's a reference to another site.

[Ninanina]

No problem. I keep hearing this 'shilling' but not sure what it means

[Ali Tait]

It means someone bigging up a product on a forum because someone thinks they got it at a discount, or bigged it up to get the discount.

[Ali Tait]

Much like the "Scottish Mafia" were accused of being TQ shills. Yawn.

[Ninanina]

Oooooooooooo I seeeeee, naughty !! ;)

[Sovereign]

I have not heard LS7 but for the money LS6 is very good indeed. This maybe a wee bonkers but I'm currently running the old Exposure cable, it's really pretty good.

[Ninanina]

Ali, are you still posting on the 'other' site ??

[MartinT]

I must be doing something wrong, Ali, as the revenue stream isn't providing for me :lol:

[Ali Tait]

Ali, are you still posting on the 'other' site ??

NO. I don't like being threatened, so told him to shove it. I will never post there again.

[Ali Tait]

I must be doing something wrong, Ali, as the revenue stream isn't providing for me :lol:

Aye, me either! :mental:

[Ninanina]

Well done Ali, best way I think :)

[Ali Tait]

Indeed.

[synsei]

I shill for B&W constantly but unfortunately because the DM2's were last made when the Flintstones were running riot I don't qualify for a Shill Bonus.... Bummer... :violin:

[Ninanina]

Maybe I should start to shill, now I know what it means :doh:

I will shill Klipsch because I really like both the KG3's and the new Heresy's I have

I'm not sure Klipsch read this forum so I don't expect much $'s in return

Maybe you have to practice being a 'shiller' :eek:

[Marco]

Bev, do you know the shilling song? If not, you're missing out! :D

Marco.

[Ninanina]

Hi Marco
No I've not heard the shilling song, I've only just learned what shilling is :eyebrows:

[Marco]

Remember the song in Mary Poppins:

8fHppd_KtP4


Sing along now... "Shill shillery, shill shillery, shill-shill sheree..." You can do a wee dance too, if you want...

:dance: :D

Marco.

[Ninanina]

He he ...... love it :lol:

[realysm42]

I'm going to start strategic shilling.

[Marco]

I'll send you the official list of our preferred products for shilling, including the going rates for back-handers.

Marco.

[Ninanina]

I have to do that dance round my front room just to avoid all the speakers I now have :doh::doh:

[realysm42]

What an amazing problem to have Nina!

PS cheers Marco. I don't mind the look of that soul mate tube stuff...

[Marco]

:eyebrows: :eyebrows:

Marco.

[synsei]

I will never be as good at it as you guys, I've always been told I am not the full shilling... :D

[realysm42]

Sorry to thread crap but it's a bit of a shocker to see how bitchy people get about this game. It's meant to be a hobby, wtf Do people get so shirty about it?

Pathetic.

[Alex_UK]

I will never be as good at it as you guys, I've always been told I am not the full shilling... :D

:lol:

[Alex_UK]

Sorry to thread crap but it's a bit of a shocker to see how bitchy people get about this game. It's meant to be a hobby, wtf Do people get so shirty about it?

Pathetic.

+1

And so misguided it's untrue, but at least they're happy in their little bubble... :rolleyes: