Denafrips Pontus 15th, Pass Labs INT-60, and Wilson Sabrinas


Curious what people think of this setup, I’m using Transparent interconnects and the Wilsons are not the X model, but are refurb’d originals. Was planning on using Amazon 12 ga. speaker cables, but I wonder if this is going to be a weak link in my setup. The amp is 8 weeks out so I’ve got some time to rethink the cables. Thoughts?

craigvinet

I have the Sabrina and drove them with Pass XA30.8 and X260.8. 
Your Int-60 will be fine if the room isn’t too big. 
As to the speaker cables, I used Furutech DSS-4.1, Audience AU24SX and Audience FrontRow. I also tried Nordost Tyr 2.
Audience FromtRow is my favorite followed by AU24SX.

If you want to get things up and running with a cheap pair of speaker cables get something like kimber 4tc or 8tc with spades. Sabrinas don’t eat bananas. 

I would recommend getting the system together and breaking (re-breaking) it in. Then start thinking about cables. I use DHLabs as budget standard to break stuff in a decide where to go from their. If you find the top end a bit hot, then Cardas can calm them down. Transparent will pass through exactly what your components create. 

Most important. Re-break in. I recently got and amp that had been used. It needed several days of play to get back to where it had been for shipment. But besides, you need a couple of weeks minimum to really understand what your "new" system sounds like. Then you can start thinking about upgrading wire. 

 

Good advice from ghdprentice. Cables is a way to fine tune the sound. No need to mess with it until you find out what the equipment sounds like in your setting. Only then will you know what sort of fine tuning you need. 

Thanks all!! I’ll stick with my modded (banana to spade) cables and let the system burn in before I spend a TON on cables. This is my first real system, anyway 🤣 Thanks again!

The 7 gauge world best cables are excellent for the price. They will let you hear all your system can do, without any coloration. I have a set of cardas clear reflection and many times depending on which of my 12 pairs of speakers I use, I prefer the wbc. Try them and if they don’t work for you, they can be returned to Amazon. 

what do you think of it? cos we can't demo it so have to just speculate to the best of our ability. How does it sound to you? @craigvinet 

For cables, get two of this (get black for left speaker and white for right speaker at the lenght you desire) - https://www.amazon.com/GearIT-Premium-Braided-Speaker-Plated/dp/B071YW6TVN/

Doesn't alter the frequency response, is well built and doesn't cost stupidly too

@craigvinet you're all set then. Enjoy your media on your system and cables shouldn't be a worry again. You're done in that department

May be I misunderstood but I thought you have no speaker cables at all. 
I may also be off track but why would you use garbage cables to break this system in? What baseline are you setting with Wilsons and Pass using garbage wiring? Unless that’s all your budget allows. It’s equivalent of driving the first 1000 miles in a new BMW on Prius wheels just to break it in. Just get good quality cables on a used market. Resell to upgrade and lose nothing.
But…what do I know. 

@audphile1 - I hear what you’re saying, and I do have access to better cables to try. If I can hear the difference then I will certainly upgrade them! But for two orders of magnitude cheaper, I can’t not try.

@craigvinet go for it. You’re going to be amazed when you eventually upgrade to better cables. Pass/Wilson combo never failed to show me what’s it connected to

@audphile1 excellent!! I look forward to learning more. This setup already is WAY beyond anything I’ve ever had. Thanks for sharing your experience!!

Duelund makes some great cables at $16/ meter from parts connection. 
I replaced my Cardas with them

 

 

Kudos to audphile1.  Pass labs/wilson will absolutely reveal what IC and cabling you use. The downside is you will be spending money, the upside is how much fun it is to hear the improvements. 
Everyone recommends what they use, so one more won’t hurt right?  On my Pass labs/wilson system I like Morrow products (wait for a sale) as they are very neutral, never too bright for Wilson’s earlier tweeters. They also aren’t uber pricey when on sale. 

They all matter to a point, but changing interconnects made the biggest difference in my system.

Fortunately my local shop (Definitive) will let me try out cables so I get the best of ALL worlds!! I went with the cheapest option first so it’s all up from there 🤣 I hope the Transparent Audio ICs I bought foot the bill

Regardless that I never was able to warm up to Wilson’s in general, I respect their house sound.   You have  established an eminently musical system that I believe needs more than Amazon 12 gage speaker cables.  I also recommend like, GH and Baylinor, to burn the system in for about 200 to 300 hours, then critically listen to determine how you wish to

Sorry, hit send accidentally …adjust SQ and choose a cable that achieves your goal.  I hear what you stated in a latter post, that if you do not perceive a difference, why spend more.  I agree.  But you have resolving speakers and amplification, so I am sure you will.  My favorite budget cable, WyWires blue.   Silver and Platinum as you increase the spend.  Read pro reviews.  

I have the INT-60 and a nice set of KEF meta floor standers along with the Denafrips Venus.  You could hook that setup with lamp cord and it would sound great.  I'd say get some inexpensive cables, maybe from BlueJean or such, then hook up with Cable Co. and do some comparisons. You may be surprised, but you are definitely starting out in the right place. Have fun!

I had the Sabrinas on a Pass 250.8 and they're great. I eventually upgraded to Sasha 2. I use Transparent for interconnects and speaker wire, sometimes swapping to Straightwire for speakers. I'd go for the higher quality wires. On a secondary system though I do use stranded 10 gauge from amazon and it's great- and cheap!

This has all been great! Seems as tho I made a pretty good choice for my first real system. After the amp comes in (8 weeks) I’ll come back with how it sounds! I’ll try out some better speaker cables on loan from Definitive. I am finding that I might be afraid that the INT-60 is under-powered, but may be good enough for my apartment setup this round. Thanks all!