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The Magnum M1.3 cables under review sit at the top of MIT’s Magnum line, which in turn resides between the top Oracle and the less expensive Shotgun ranges. When designing the latest Generation 3 products, MIT founder Bruce Brisson hotrodded the Oracle V1.3 and Magnum M1.3 using new 2C3D technology. Soundstaging and imaging are said to be improved with an upgrade to two of MIT’s two proprietary 2C3D technologies: Stable Imaging Technology (SIT) and Jitter Free Analog (JFA). I asked MIT’s Gavin Fish to elaborate. "Stable Image Technology assures that the imaging quality of the overall system is stable over the widest possible dynamic range of audio signals. Soundstage dimensions including depth and the images of instruments and vocalists stay firmly placed from triple pianissimo to triple fortissimo without wandering, wavering, blooming or becoming unfocused at the highest levels. The synergy of the MIT network technologies results in what we call Jitter-Free Analog. The sonic attributes of this are similar to those experienced with digital audio equipment that has been optimized for extremely low signal timing jitter. The dominant effects of this network synergy are increased clarity, focus and image stability with accurate depth localization being particularly noticeable. Another prominent benefit are improved microdynamics in the treble range with better time coherence and natural tonality. JFA creates a lifelike sense of space around each instrument and voice while integrating harmonic structures and improving timbre and articulation across the spectrum."


As with the Shotgun, the Magnum speaker cables sport MIT’s patented iconn system. The ends are terminated with small threaded pins that allow users to screw on their choice of supplied bananas or spades. Also included are small lock nuts to ensure a tight connection if you need to loosen a spade to accommodate a tight angle for example.


As the Magnum cables are directional, signal flow arrows on the ends indicate proper orientation. At the speaker end of the network boxes the Magnums feature 5-way binding posts for detachable tails available in various lengths to accommodate floorstanding and stand-mounted speakers. The tails too are fitted with threaded iconn pins at either end.


The network boxes of the interconnects differ from the speaker cables with a selectable impedance switch. This allows for "tuning the cable to maximize performance for each component’s specific input impedance". Three impedance ranges are available - low (5-50kΩ), mid (40-100kΩ) and high (90kΩ and up).


As with the Shotguns, I observed subtle differences between the various settings mostly in terms of image focus and tonal balance. Specifically the upper band would be slightly emphasized or rolled off depending on the setting. As I had a number of amplification components with different input impedances on hand during this review and that of the Shotgun cables (including a 20-year old Rotel receiver), it was interesting to hear this even when I thought the differences rather subtle. While my favored setting in each case did match the rated amp impedance, I don’t believe it would be a mistake to prefer a different one. Think of this a handy tuning feature.


Regarding break-in, MIT has its own formula: 75% in two days,100% after two weeks. Until broken in the Magnums sounded dull, muddy and dynamically constricted. However, the sound improved dramatically quite quickly. After two weeks of 24/7 use, the Magnums bowled me over with a veritable treasure trove of musical nuance and micro detail that left me absolutely stunned as long familiar and cherished recordings seemed renewed and awaiting discovery all over again. This wasn’t silly audioweeny "ooh I can hear the subway rumbling under the studio" crap. I’m talking subtle yet vital bits of low-level musical information that when retrieved correctly can fool you into thinking you’re hearing the real thing. I have certainly experienced this to some degree with amplifiers, sources and such but certainly never from a product category which I once considered a mere accessory or afterthought.

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