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Best Cables for ARC gear

OK, I started a few months ago upgrading and can't stop! The current question is one frequently asked but if I may I will pose this question again:
Best balanced cables for ARC gear, ACR CDMKII-ARC LS25MKII-ARC VT100MKII. I have Single ended cables (Cardas Gold Ref and Transparent Plus) They each sound different for sure but when switching to standard mic cable, it totally blows the RCA's away. Not just more gain but cleaner, clearer,deeper, stronger, etc. I cant let my friends see cheap mic cables in my rig so I would like some opinion from those who have ARC gear. BTW for the purpose of this IC quest I have paired CD/PRE with my pair of Genelec studio monitors which in the near field can reveal EVERYTHING! Thank you
vdosc
16 responses Add your response
cmalak
681 posts
 
Why can't you let your friends see you with cheap mic cables?? If they are working for you, then stick with them and thank your stars you don't have to spend a bundle on cabling. Use the money to buy music. My 2c worth.
etbaby
138 posts
 
Hi I have a similar setup:
ARC Ref 3
ARC CDMKII
ARC VT100 MKIII

Change you power cables first! This will give you the biggest bang for the buck. Try Shunyata Black Mamba
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

I have a similar system. ARC Ref CD7, LS25 mk2 and Ref 110 amp. I have also owned a VT100 mk3 and CD3 in the past. I use Audio Research Litzlink II Balanced Interconnects between my LS25 mk2 and Ref 110 and a double run of Audio Research Litzline II between my amp and speakers. I have an old pair of Synergistic Research cables between my CD7 and LS25. I played with a number of cables including Cardas in the past but have always found the ARC to be the best match for ARC gear. Until recently it was the cable Audio Research used in house.

Excellent cable for the money and especially used as they are no longer made. My cables are 8 to 10 years old and I really believe that cables get better the more they are used.
Post removed 
rrog
1,958 posts
 
You can buy a jacket to slip over the mic cables just like the ones many high end cable manufacturers use or buy ARC wire.
vdosc OP
51 posts
 
Ok that was just a joke about what my friends think about cables.
My comments about the "cheap" cables were more to point out a reality (given the electronics that I have) that going balanced even with "cheap" cables noticeably out preformed some "hi-end" single ended cables.
Therefore I am interested in some really good Bal interconnects that will again make a noticeable improvement. I would like to try the ARC cables but I never see them for sale. And I will try the power cords as well.
Thank you for responses...all of them!
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

People who have Audio Research cables tend to keep them. But they do show up on Audiogon and Ebay occasionally. Don't be fool by the fake ones on Ebay sold out of Canada. The real ARC Litz II cables are a thick cable covered in light gray rubber. The Litz I cables were wrapped with a shiny black plastic material.
rwwear
2,866 posts
 
I agree with Cmalak.
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

People who have Audio Research cables tend to keep them. But they do show up on Audiogon and Ebay occasionally. Don't be fool by the fake ones on Ebay sold out of Canada. The real ARC Litz II cables are a thick cable covered in light gray rubber. The Litz I cables were wrapped with a shiny black plastic material.
cmalak
681 posts
 
Vdosc...I have Ref 3, Ref 110, and CD 7 set-up and I actually use Nordost Heimdall ICs and SCs and Shunyata PCs. The Shunyata PCs make a noticeable improvement and I think in their current line-up the Black Mamba hits the sweet spot. Within the Nordost line, i truly believe the Heimdall offers 80-85% of what the Valhalla offers at
1/4 the price. You may want to call the Cable Co and use their lending library to try out a bunch of options.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
The cables on ebay are not ARC. They are AR (Acoustic Research).
jazzgene
145 posts
 
I found there is less sound difference with balanced than SE. Between my ARC preamp and ARC amp, I tried different ones including Mogami 2534s. The 2534s sounded better than Kimber and Cardas. Audience was better than 2534s and I have settled on Oyaide Terzo XX which sounds the best to me so far.
darkj's avatar
darkj
150 posts
 
Theoretically, any excellent cable should give pretty excellent results with ARC gear. I own an ARC VT-100 Mk II used with Aesthetix Calypso and Acoustic Zen speakers. I use Acoustic Zen Matrix Ref II IC's and Harmonic Tech or Tara RSC speaker cables - I've found that good cables tend to sound good across all of my equipment changes.
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 
Rrog,

They are not Acoustic Research. They are a company in Canada using the Audio Research name. Check out ebay item 330433345359
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Got it. I never noticed those before, but I can't imagine anyone being fooled into thinking they are an ARC product.
misternice's avatar
misternice
339 posts
 
Hi,for the last couple of days I have been listening to Magnan signature interconnects,shockingly good.The speaker cables might be worth a look too,and they are very well priced.
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