Best Speaker Cable 20 Foot Pair

The other bit of information that would be helpful before responding to your question regards your budget for each of the items you propose to buy. For example, the "best" speaker cable may be the Nirvanas, but they are stratospherically expensive. Help us by establishing some cost parameters.

I think the second thing you should seriously consider is ra-arranging your system, so you can use longer interconnects and shorter speaker cables. Interconnects carry a much lower voltage signal than speaker cables, and they also tend to be cheaper than speaker cables.

Kjl: what I had in mind about re-arranging your system was to move the monoblock amps close to each speaker, and then use long interconnects from the preamp to each monoblock. Many owners of monoblock amps place them close to the speakers because of the advantages offered by short speaker cables / long interconnects.

I have limited experience with the hyper-expensive interconnects and speaker cables, but I can say that I think the Alpha-Core and Kimber products offer a LOT of performance for the money. I have owned interconnects and speaker cables by both of these companies, and conclude that you will have to spend a LOT more money to do much better. The other reasonably priced speaker cable that has gotten favorable comments on this forum is the Analysis Plus Oval 9. If you decide to retain your current arrangement of components, you will need 40+ feet of speaker cable, which means that you will fairly heavy gauge wire (at least 12 gauge, and preferably 9-10).

For example, the Kimber 8TC (IM, the best of the lower-priced Kimber cables) now costs $14 a linear foot, and with factory terminations the total cost (from Audio Advisor) for a 20-foot pair will be $608. A 20-foot pair of Analysis Plus Oval 9's would be around $700.

Another product that you might want to consider is the new line of "DBS" (dielectric bias system) cables from AudioQuest. This new line of cables uses a 24 volt battery pack (attached to each cable) to keep the dielectric surrounding the wires charged. I have not read any reviews yet of the "DBS" technology, but the concept looks very interesting. A 20-foot pair of the least-expensive CV-6 model costs $880.

Last suggestion if you want to move into really expensive territory: look at the Cardas Neutral Reference speaker cable, which uses an 8.5 gauge wire (272 discrete conductors), and costs about $1600 for a terminated 20-foot pair.

Regarding interconnects: I have used both the Kimber Heros and the Alpha-Core TQ2's (currently in my system), and have been pleased with both as they provide a very high price/performance ratio. Infact, the Kimber Heros were chosen by TAS as the "Interconnect of the Year" not long ago.

I have no experience with the high-end power cables, so I'll leave that to others.

All of the products I've mentioned are available from The Audio Advisor.

To conclude the comments about the Alpha-Core speaker cables and interconnects: Alpha-Core sells their products via Internet with a 30-day, money back audition. If you don't like the cables, return them for a full refund. How many manufacturers do you know with such a policy?