Biggest Baddest Audio Cables

I am recommending the Jaden "standard" or "signature" interconnect cables, they are absolutely sublime! These cables are made by Ric Cummins who is the same designer/manufacturer of Room Lens, Dark Matter Shelf, and Rosinante Dulcinea speakers.

Those who have tried Jaden interconnects say this cable has superb tonal balance, detail, smoothness, and dynamics. In my opinion, the Jadens are superior to many high end cables, definitely a cable that is sophisticated and lets you listen to all of the music.

Shubertmaniac- You know what is really ironical- in this thread Carl was demanding Kelly be banned and Kelly the same of Carl. Looks like they both got there wish! Funny how things work out.

XLO Signature Shotgun. Who knows for sure, but I have serious doubts as to whether I will ever change out this component. Actually I am nearing the point where there are few (if any) components that will change. BTW, what cable did you end up with?

If you do not care about sound, hook up an industrial garden hose to your amp and speakers...Loews has some great deals!!! If you want great sound as well, get a double quad set of Harmonic Technologies Magic Woofer cables and bi-wire your system...now that's alot of cable!!

In December of 2000, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that "Biggest Baddest Audio Cables" would be my most enduring thread.

After all of the things we have discussed here, I don't know whether I am more flattered or more horrified.

But please do continue your recommendations for "anaconda sized" cables with "unusually well made connectors".

Cheers.

CW

MIT - the sound benefits will thrill you more than just the size/build quality of the cables.

im looking for the the speaker cable ends for dulavy cable the ones that screw into the pod at the end of the cable. anyone have an idea were i should look. dunlavy went out of buisness and the guy who owned them for a time didn't have a clue who made these cables for dunlavy.

Has it been almost two years since Carl and Confedboy dueled
it out on this tread? I loved it back then, the flaming,
the childlike behavior, with some audio stuff thrown in.
Now it seems kind of bland. Where are you guys these days?

Virtual Dynamics Nite cables, and very heavy and very thick and have WBT RCA connsctors which connect very well to components. They can damage your gear if you are not careful.

The latest and greatest also sound quite good as well.

KF

Try Home Depot's largest size speaker wire. You could multiwire with dozens of the Home Depot wires for a fraction of the price of exotic wires.

Just got a 15' pair of Tara Labs RSC Prime 1000, Biwire. Breaking them in now but sound good with B&W Matrix802s3 and B&K EX442 amp. Not going to look further right now.

Old original MIT Music Hose. It was about 3.5" diameter with literally thousands of individual wires in a braid that could only have been conceived while in either a drunken stupor or an LSD induced trip.

Nrchy, I hope we see a review of how this new cable works in your system. Particularly since you liked the Dominus so much.

The best ICs I ever heard were a 3.5 meter pair of Purist Dominus. Nothing I have owned or heard sounded as good as these cables. Everything, every aspect of the sound was dramtically better than anything I heard till that point. They are very expensive and worth every penny. If you are intersted you can see my review here on AudiogoN.
No I don't own them I cannot afford them, but I bought one model down in the line and am currently breaking them in.

Dont judge a cable by its looks or its price!

If looks are that important, there are many good recommendations above. If not, I would strongly recommend the dumbest looking but best sounding cables and speaker wires, those from Omega Mikro. If you want both great sound and great looks, buy Siltech G5s.

Sonoran plateau cables have micro bearings providing the same type of features as are claimed with the liquid ceramic. Other than that I just wired my entire media room with them and while the total price was steep, it was inexpensive compared to other poplar cable. This stuff is your basic anaconda and built like a battleship. It has finally broken in and the sound is remarkable. These don't get alot of play because they don't do any serious advertising. I heard of them from a friend who is a dedicated stereo guy and was pretty amazed. Best bang for the buck.
Ken

The buzz is liquid ceramic cables are coming. There is a Ballistic Physicist who is applying active ceramic ballistic armor technology to cables. The cable is suspended in active ceramic FOAM. The foam is attracted to magnetic and electrostatic impulses and "moves" to dissipate them. It is reactive and yields a virtual 100% shielding pattern. The big advantage, though, is that it provides PHYSICAL damping as well as electrical damping. The wire encased in the foam is suspended from vibration as well. I have been promised samples...

Mothra Research Unlimited has some cables that make anything else look like pipe cleaners.....go to www.mothraresearch.com and feast your eyes on these babies!

The PS audio Lab II cables are very big and ver shielded.

I forgot to mention power cords. There are a lot of these fat boys around but I know you can get the Whale Elite usually for a good price and a fair amount of agoners like them. There is one on action right now and it has a link to a thread that discussed them at one time. I have a friend who has one and it is bigger than the Select or Kharm speaker cables talked about above.

By the way, I was thinking speaker cable in my last post. The biggest, by far, fat interconnect that I have seen or heard of is the Magnan Signature. The don't use the flat cable like with the speaker cable but instead use the biggest fattest interconnect you have ever seen. They are not real effecient though and will take almost 3db out of your system but if you have a power full set up you won't notice and this cable is one of the best sounding made. It isn't cheap though...I don't remember the price but I think I remember $1600 for a meter.

cd

How much do you want to spend? It doesn't do any good to suggest all these cables if you only want to spend a hundred bucks. The Kharma and Purist are in the thousands of dollar ranges.

I didn't see the Kimber Select line mentioned but it has exactly what your original post mentioned and its a good cable. Kimber has 3 levels in the line. I owned the second which is $1500 for 8ft pair. I bought them (used) for the same reason you mention above. Large, look like a snake, impressive hardware on the ends, especially the large aluminum knobs at each end. I got more comments from these than any other cable except the Magnan Signature....Magnan takes a different approach because it uses a very wide very flat ribbon. Each side has two runs, one per terminal (dah) and each are about 5 inches wide (literally). They are all black. The terminations are not impressive but the cable is impossible to ignore visually and will impress everyone. Kimber is more refined and manufactured looking where the Magnan looks more like it was made to order. I don’t mean this in a bad way it is just more customized looking. The Magnan is only $1000 for a 8ft pair and to me they represent one of the real bargains in high end. I have heard them compared with Kimber Select (top of the line), Nordost SPM, Nordost Vahalla, Kharma, and XLO. I like them better than the Kimber and XLO, for most applications, and they are just a hair away from the SPM, Vah, and Kharma (but remember these cables are 4x-8x more expensive).

Just a note: the Kharma are big but no where near 5 inches in diameter. I don’t even think they would get to 4 inches in circumference….don’t get me wrong, they are big but just not that big. Maybe 2 to 2 ½ inches in diameter, a little more than the Kimber but not much.

But based on your comments, unless you want to spend 3k-4k used, the Kimber is exactly what you want.

Happy hunting,
cd

Purist Audio Dominus. Definitely Anaconda-sized, liquid-filled, expensive and one of the cleanest and most dynamic cables around.

kharma grand reference maybe 5'' diameter and you can find as a second hand at used cable(the cable company) also it sound great.

I agree with the kharma cables, me and a buddy up here did a shoot out with the kharma cables and the cables he was using-those things are MASSIVE, and they feel a little spongy, dunno why???

Kharma speaker cable

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/167680.html

6 pics dwn

Purist "Dominus" if you really like big cables.

Cool, were all going to get along. Takes a big man to admit he is wrong, more so when the tempers flare and the story/saga escalates to the degree it had. Thanks Carl.

Hello Bruce! Carl, pick yourself up. I am extending my hand, if you need it. You can stop eating crow, because I am taking us both(and Bruce) out to the best steakhouse I can find. MY TREAT!!! Hold your head up high. You are far too knowledgeable, and too much of an asset to this site to stop posting. I am wrong more than I am right, that goes with being human. In my opinion, the way we handle it ultimately determines if we are happy or not, and successful or not. Don't worry about speaker building, you are a great person to have in the hobby. As it is as much about art and passion as it is science. And you bring that passion. Look at almost every truth in the hobby. Someone one day comes along and does the opposite, and makes a GREAT speaker. To be honest, I have not built anything since 1996(I think), while you are currently active. I hope to return one day, but have to say I admire the fact that you are in the trenches now. Keep faith, a new day comes every morning. GOOD LUCK!

Carl_eber, You say I am now going to cease posting in this forum. Why? This is not like you. I never thought Carl_eber would lay down and die. Cmon Carl, where is that, me against the world attitude that I admire about you. If you quit posting there may be a few applauding this decision but not me. Carl, please rethink your position.

Trelja, I am both humbled and saddened with myself. I apologize for not doing this sooner. You were very right about the Stereophile article (I knew you were, but I wanted to check on something else before getting back to you here). I WAS VERY WRONG. I now remember reading it back then, and thinking that something was wrong with the review, but now I know that I myself must have been wrong (that indeed a paper version was NEVER used in the Andra...they do claim as always, that what is used is a "custom" version of the 166). And clearly on the cover photo (October 1997), they are polypropyelene. It is possible that for some reason, I mixed up the sentiments in Morel's own product literature, with that of an interview with Bill Eggleston that I read SOMEWHERE (and I know not where, apparently it wasn't Stereophile...unless it was some followup in mid '98, those are buried somewhere around here...could have been in some other mag, and perhaps I didn't buy the issue), where he was talking about the speaker projects he used to build with his father, using a paper cone midwoofer "because of the quality of the midrange, due to the superior damping characteristics of treated paper as cone material".........The quote I remember well, but I know not where it came from...other than my malfunctioning brain. It could have even been a review of another Eggleston speaker like the Rosa, but I don't know. I just looked up the Andra review in my July/August 1996 issue of Fi, and there is no interview with Eggleston himself there either, but instead much discussion of Peter McGrath's demos of the speaker. In any case, it seems to me that Eggleston should have used the paper 164 instead, because it's hi-frequency response clearly rolls off more smoothly than the polypropylene 166, and indeed the 164's rolloff is smoother (and in a gradual/gentle way) than that of ANY other midwoofer in the world, it seems to me. This seems especially appropriate, since there is no low pass crossover used with them in the Andra. I mean, show me a driver response plot that proves otherwise? In any case, you were correct, and I am eating crow. And, no, all of this isn't really worth debating anyhow..................I am now going to cease posting in this forum, I have had enough. I look forward to reading these forums on occasion, where I will hope to see your knowledgeable and helpful personality on display here, especially since you have the right attitudes with regard to the speaker building hobby (and most audiophiles do not, that is a certainty in my own experience)! You are a class act all the way, Trelja! I wish you all the best for 2001, and for your system!!! Happy listening always. Regards, Carl

I know the drivers, I own two 164's, and have the Solen catalog (it has a detailed list of all drivers). It's a shame that you didn't get to do the radio gig, sounds like it'd be fun. (Do you ever hear the "Johnboy and Billy Show", out of Charlotte NC? It's hilarious, but mostly geared for southern folk. The best skit is called "married man", but there are many others). And there was no real need for you to apologize. I am still going to look the article up, probably tonight. BTW, you seem to know a lot about drivers. Did you know that, for some reason, Morel makes the 160 series either with 3, or 4 ridges in the spider (yet they spec them the same, and do not distinguish these differences with the serial #)? They can even be manufactured in the same series, and still have either one of the # of ridges? Anyways, I had to keep exchanging mine until I got two that had the same # of ridges (I wanted 4, rather than 3). I spoke with someone at the manufacturer in Israel thru e-mail, and they claimed that there would be no difference in any of the parameters (qms, for instance), but I had my doubts, so I wanted to get a pair that had the same number of ridges.

Carl, my deepest apologies! !!!I READ YOU COMPLETELY WRONG!!! I have said it. And I am standing up now to admit it. Anyone who wants to take a free shot at me, go ahead. I can take it. I see the feuds you get in with people(filled with acid), and thought we were heading down the same road. I offer peace to everyone, but don't have a problem getting into a fight. We are the SAME age, 31. Not sure who is "technically" younger, as my birthday is June 13th, 1969. You can settle that one... As far as humor goes, if you knew me, you would see that I have been the class clown since the day I was born. Actually, my greatest skill in life is imitating people, and I almost got a job on a local radio station impersonating voices in a comedic way. Too bad for me that I didn't follow through on it, as the guy who does is now a big star in Philly. Six figure salary. Everyone who hears me says I am funnier, and that my impersonations are superior. No regrets though, I love coding in C++/Oracle in UNIX OS. Kind of fun really, I learn new things everyday. To me, challenges in life are what motivates me, and I definitely get that. So, again I AM SORRY. And glad to move on from here. Incidentally, the Stereophile article doesn't list the driver model number(only that it's polypropylene) in the Eggleston, but I will give it to you(in case you ever want to try it - GREAT driver). MW162 is the standard Morel paper coned version. MW164 is the double magnet, paper coned driver(that is most used). And MW166 is the polymer coned version of the MW164, it's the one used by Eggleston. Take care.

Trelja, you took it seriously, I was merely trying to be humourous. The love from you guys is overhelming "at this time of year". If you think me such the moron, that I think I'm infallable, you are quite incorrect. And if being younger than you makes me "a boy", then I'll wear it with a badge of honor. You don't need to fax me anything, I have the magazine a few feet from me in a stack, just haven't had time to dig through it. For whatever the reason you are angry with me Trelja, I'm sure you're man enough to get a better sense of humor, and realize when someone is using "ribbing" humor. This is a type of humor that I get from others every time I post here, and when it irks me, I'm told to "chill out" and "don't be so tense". You might give this a try also, Trelja. AND IF I AM WRONG, I'LL ADMIT IT FREELY; BUT THEN NONE OF YOU BETTER FREAKING GLOAT ABOUT IT, EITHER...since you are implying that you think I like to gloat....unless of course you want to be thought of as a mere boy. "I'm a monkeyman..."

Trelja, you are absolutely right. It is so easy to hide behind a screen and try to bully or intimadate others. I wonder how many new people visit this site and are afraid to ask questions because of some idiot who thinks he has all the answers will beat up on them. I look at them as having no useful info but rather a look at me aint I God's gift to the audiophile attitude. If it were one on one person to person, I doubt very much these cowards would ever say a word. Anyone new to Audiogon do not let these clowns intimidate you.

Excellent philosophy Jacks. The forum is about the exchange of ideas, and knowledge. That represents a give and take relationship to me. The goal is that we all become richer, in terms of being audiophiles. One thing about bullies, they are actually cowards...

It's pretty sad when grown adults make statements like, "... just like I can remember the other Morel matter, and will soon embarrass you with it, I hope". This mentality reminds me of a schoolyard bully. Please keep this forum civil. If not out of respect for others, do it out of respect for yourself.

Carl, thanks for the information on the awg of the Black Pearl. I appreciate it. I remember seeing the price being $50000, but I accept your recollection of the price. Perhaps, I will dig deeper, but the subject is more or less irrelevant to me, as I cannot afford either. I am afraid you cannot embarrass me. That emotion stems from fear, hatred, and guilt. None of which are a part of my being. If I am wrong on a matter, I stand up and admit so. That is the difference between a boy and a man. A man can accept who he is, and the fact that he is not infallible. We are all sometimes correct and sometimes incorrect. I do not gloat when being correct. You have taken a matter of FACT(not opinion), which you are clearly wrong on(as I directly quoted page, paragraph, and person - I even offered to fax you the article...), to heart. And in the end, feelings like that will never lead to happiness. As we approach Christmas, I wish you both peace and good listening.

Trelja: I recall Martin Colloms' review of the Black Pearl a few years back (in HFNRR), and I can remember it (just like I can remeber that other Morel matter, and will soon embarrass you with it, I hope). It was 8 AWG per pole, made up of the "black pearl" stranded conductors (and the price was "only" $14,000 at that time....the price of silver must have gone up 500% since then...or else the price of lead must be really high). The Wireworld Gold Eclipse 3 also happens to be 8 AWG per pole, and all silver.

Who knows if they are the same person or not. In a perfect world we could all discuss our opinions without trashing each other. With our hobby, many things are system dependent, such as cables. I believe that it is okay to express our passion, as long as we conduct ourselves as gentlemen. I always have questioned the integrity of those who feel they have to be nasty to those with a differing veiwpoint. I'm sorry to deviate from the original thread. Yes, many cable manufacturers have gone to the high mass approach regarding cable design. Probably the thickest diameter cables that I've seen are the lead jacketed Kimber speaker cables.

Hey Dekay,I like that "we are all adults"line.I wonder if it will work on my daughter(11) when she tells me I listen to "kids music"(modern rock)

Leafs: Carl's banter has never bothered me. Your campaigning for Carl's expulsion, however... Guess it's up to (just like everything else) personal taste. I do not want to see anyone banned from the forum, including you. If your place and position at this forum is to whine about Carl in between your more interesting and relaxing posts, then so be it. But let's cut the expulsion crap. We are all just here to spend some money, share ideas, blow off a little steam and yes, taunt each other as well. We are all adults and therefore do not have to act as such if we do not feel like it.

So Leafs and Cornfed are the same boys, huh?

How much of mr Eber garbage do we have to put up with.Should not his kiss my ass be the last straw and lead to his permanent banning from this site.

Andy Singer is the owner of New York Citys finest audio store, "Sound By Singer". He has been written up in several of the audio magazines throughout the years. The store has been in operation for many years, and primarily just handles the best products only.

I do not know who Andy Singer is but I could not agree with him more. Thanks Recres.

To answer to the thread, yes the FIM cable are all huge in size. Regarding their sound, as Andy Singer, President of Sound By Singer states in FIM's latest ad, "I consider four things to be the 'four horsemen' of musicality: resolution, dynamics, harmonics, and rhythm. The FIM cables ride these better than any others".

Hi Cwlondon, I agree with Cornfedboy, FIM is big and sounds wonderful. If big cable is more important than sound then FIM would be a waste of money. I think Dekay came up with a great idea and it would not be very hard to do what he suggests.

From what I read of a copper speaker cable from Stealth Audio, it was 4 gauge. Maybe even for each conductor. See it here often, on auction. Seems to never meet the reserve price, so no one gets to buy. Maybe doesn't compare with the one VantageAudio described, but the biggest I can come up with. Not sure how it sounds. Also, the $50,000 Kimber Black Pearl is a monstrosity. I picked it up, it sure is heavy(filled with lead). I do not know the awg, but a hair out of my price range, anyway.

Without a doubt... Electraglide FatMan. It is so hugh it makes the King Cobra look thin!!