Cable Confusion

Wow, its hard to know where to start. What I would suggest is to run a few searches on cabling, read up and then start asking some specific questions. Be forewarned, there are as many opinions as there are cables, and I am told that this is a highly system-dependent area you are entering. Some general thoughts- with respect to video, generally component video is preferable to s-video is preferable to composite is preferable to RF/co-ax ("F" connectors). A component video cable is nothing more (or less) then three color-coded composite video cables with a common outer braid. Many folks favor a true 75 ohm RCA type digital connection over a toslink. Longer ICs and shorter speaker cables are generally favored. After that you pretty much need to specify a system link and a budget, and you'll get plenty of opinions here. You can also try the Cable Co.'s used internet site and ask for recommendations. Buying used allows you to experiment with a relatively small risk; most cables don't depreciate past the initial hit on a new purchase, so you can re-sell if you don't like the way they work out.

I beg to differ about long interconnects / short speaker cables. I think that you'll find that MANY, MANY knowledgable and experienced users will disagree with that type of installation for MANY, MANY reasons. This has been covered several times over in the Cable Asylum at AA. While i've been a vocal opponent of this type of installation for many years, more recent experience verifies my previous theories and findings. I know that Jon Risch, who is both the Cable Asylum moderator and a well respected EE that works in the Audio field, has changed his mind on the subject. He had made suggestions to others stating that long IC's / short speaker cable was the best way to go quite a while back. He has since done a 180* turn and now states the opposite. I know i listed more than a few reasons over the past few years as to why that approach should always be inferior and i think that Jon would also suport those points.

To sum it up, i would rather have high voltage / high current signals travelling a greater distance than low voltage / low current signals. After all, a weak signal travelling a long distance has a greater chance of being interferred with due to RFI / EMI, degradation due to line loss, etc... than a stronger signal with a heavier gauge, lower loss conductor. Besides all of that, the low level resolution that an excellent source or preamp can offer can only be lost or diluted when running through long cables. If the full amount of detail and resolution doesn't make it to the amp to begin with, you'll never be able to get it to the speakers or hear it at your seat.

If you MUST go the long IC / short speaker cable route, i would HIGHLY suggest using balanced cables. Sean
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How are you dispensing your amplifier power? Which amp powers the front, rears, center? Placement of the amps might mandate whether you have longer IC runs or speaker runs. Some people like placing all of their gear in one rack, while others who are limited on "front wall" space may have to put the rear channel amp next to the rear channels. This latter scenario would require a long IC run. As for a sight to look at, try AudioAdvisor.com, they sell cables and have a good return policy.

Serves me right when dispensing conventional wisdom unthinkingly. I have always had similar thoughts as yours regarding the long IC, short speaker cable debate. I never have had the opportunity to test them, but have heard the same mantra from so many for so long, I guess I started to take it on faith.