Entry Level Interconnect Reccomendations

A couple of excellent entry level cables not mentioned earlier are:

Signal Cable: Analog One, Analog Two. They are both OFC cables that really punch way above their price point (Analog One $36+/pr, Two $49+). For your budget, IMO, they would be a must audition with your system. The price includes the RCA terminations, with the Two's having an upgrade option for an extra $40. They have a silver version for more. 
http://signalcable.com/analog_interconnects.html

Audio Art Cable: IC3 Classic $80/pr. Another OFC cable. Similar story regarding your budget, IMO, a must audition. Darren Hovsepian from DH Labs was a consultant in the design.  
http://www.audioartcable.com/Articles.asp?ID=133

Both companies are direct sales with 30-day money back trial policy.  Both offer many options on cable length. For what it's worth, I believe they are or were Stereophile recommended.

If this is not too late, hope this helps. Perhaps someone else can also benefit. 

The KLEI gZero1 ICs are fabulous as entry level ICs...

<Purist Dealer disclaimer>

The Purist Vesta interconnect should be on your list to evaluate...  :-)  The most "real" sounding cables for 30+ years

@yping 

They are $230 USD. A little out of my price range. Thanks for the link though!

Thanks a lot spenrock. I already bought a pair of Cerious Technologies Graphene Extremes, which are supposed to be excellent.

Over time, I plan to experiment with more IC's, and both of those seem excellent, so I'll keep them in mind. I like the look of the silver SignalCables.

Shunyata Venom series is really hard to beat......Bill

@heinrichmilw 

They are $295 for 1m RCA, a little out of my budget, but thanks a lot for the info. I'll keep them in mind for later.

Where might I purchase Belden 8402 speaker cable, terminated, biwired, etc? (not looking for raw cable)

For anyone reading this thread who also is considering entry level interconnects, it really isn't this complicated!  

Belden 1800F (AES/EBU 110 ohm)  with RAMM Audio pure copper non-solder RCA. Connect the braid (shield) only at one end.
Studio quality not for the usual suspects.

Good luck

If you want details, canare 61s, if you want mellow bc-1 or canare 77s.
There are other belden recipes from blujean cables or signal.  these are the best options for the money with great connectors. 

Doesn't Blue Jean teach that cables do not make a difference in sound?  

BJC believes that the best cables are the ones with the most impressive specs where it counts depending on the application.

I've used the WireWorld Equinox 7 for three years. I'm very pleased with them. They have great tone with a very balanced neutral and dynamic presentation.

I do believe with their entry level and intermediate cables WireWorld is a good value. Great sonics and excellent build quality.

Cheers,

Scott

Most cable companies believe that, not just Blue Jeans.

Just got my Belden 8402's today in 20 foot runs for Beveridges Electrostats and they are lovely! Thank you Jeff Day! As one who has been underwhelmed by many cables these sound like music to my ears.

If you can solder then I would suggest making your own.I have bought a number of budget interconnects in the past and the sound can vary greatly. So depending on what kind of music you listen to,and what your priorities are,I think I can help you. I've made some relatively inexpensive interconnects that sound much better than the ones I bought previously. The most expensive pair I bought were on auction here several years ago.They were Audiometallurgy Ga-0's with the wbt connector upgrade. They sell for about $500 now,but I paid about $175. The cables I make sound considerably better.

I use Furutech FP126g connectors (much better than WBT IMO)that have an upocc copper pin,and copper body,not cheap brass or bronze plated. I also use Neotech Upocc solid core copper encased in teflon. This wire is used in many companies interconnects,including Audioquest,Wireworld,Harmonic Technology,Analysis Plus,to name a few. I also use Jupiter's high purity silver in a cotton or silk casing. These wires are really nice and open sounding,no "tizz"that is characteristic of silver wires encased in teflon or pvc. Anyways,if you can solder,and are willing to spend a Saturday soldering, I can tell you where to get the wires,rca connectors,solder,sleeves etc. I can make suggestions on the guages,and the combination of silver and copper,for different results. I also have some 24 awg,24k gold plated,enameled, occ copper wire that is really open and smooth sounding.

I initially wanted to save money as I could not afford buying really good cables for my whole surround sound system and bluray player,and cd player,and home theater bypass.But I was really shocked by the first cables I made. I've thought about offering a couple here on Audiogon,not so much to make a profit,but to get some satisfaction from the experience I've gained from my diy efforts. I'd love feedback from someone with a high end system who has used cables costing $600 or more,just to see how mine stack up. The cables I make cost under $160 in parts supplies,and take about 8-10 hours depending.