Favorite cable brand.

Any recommendations where the cables were used in mixed sets should have a qualification. The house sound, how the cables were designed to sound as per manufacturer, is not obtained unless, and ONLY unless they are used in a complete set. I have demonstrated this with many systems (i.e. dozens) with several genres of speakers over the past 14 years of reviewing. 

As notoriously difficult as it is to gain consistency with cables using a variety of gear and speakers, it is IMPOSSIBLE to isolate the characteristics of cables when mixed. In that sense, "favorite" is not helpful. 

For this thread - or any others like it - to have even marginal benefit - such qualifications should be made. It would also be helpful to describe the system, if not shown in the virtual systems. That way, an interested party may learn something about the cables' interaction with specific gear, and perhaps contact the owner.  :) 

It should be expected that responses will vary widely, simply because there are so many brands available. I would not be surprised if after some time we see 100+ different brands mentioned. 

Now, please do not get upset with me for telling you the reality of the situation. I realize that most do not have the means, nor inclination to compare entire sets. However, that is the only way to begin to drill down to the innate characteristics and why a particular cable is a favorite.  :) 

rilbr, I have, in fact compared internal cables in speakers, and I write about such things in my reviews. There can be quite an improvement when the speaker is involved in matching brands. The argument about components is nonsense, a desperate ploy to find an objection in order to write off the recommendation.  Legacy Audio did an upgrade to the Whisper DSW and the article involved changing the internal wiring to 10AWG Clarity Cable, and Clarity Caps (no company relation to Clarity Cable) for what was called the "Clarity Upgrade". As a result, Bill Dudleston measured a 2dB improvement in the bass response, which he was not expecting. I also discuss working with the "internal" wiring with the PureAudioProject Trio15 Horn1 Speaker. 

I am actually working on speakers currently to assess the effect of changing the internal cables to make them homogenous with the IC and SC. I have been encouraging speaker manufacturers to give more attention to the internal cabling - which the community will benefit from - with some success. I am not naming brands at this point, but will share some in reviews. 

Let me guess; you have never actually compared sets of cables, but are simply using a flimsy, fallacious argument in an attempt to discredit my recommendation. Your argument has the same force as those who attempt to discredit the efficacy of aftermarket cables by referring to the miles of power lines, transformers, house wiring, etc. This is some of the most inane logic offered by audiophiles, thinly disguised skepticism, cloaked in high minded logic. And, it's wrong, just as your comment is wrong as an excuse to not work with sets of cables.

As I have said previously, most audiophiles are too cheap (or, conversely, are limited in terms of budget), too lazy or too skeptical to actually do it, so they will not learn for themselves. They will keep trotting out the received wisdom. Can they get great sounding rigs? Sure. Will they optimize them? No, not a chance. You do not get optimum performance from random, undirected activity, i.e. ad hoc mixed sets. Reference to the speakers and components will not change that. The community needs to stop pretending they are so fastidious in making their rigs when they pay no attention to cables, but simply mix them up without regard to any baseline. 

It sounds, oh, so thorough, "I have not found one brand to be best for every component," but that does not mean you even know how to assess the varied cables. I assert that you do not, if you have not worked with entire sets. Now, perhaps you did acquire sets of all these cables and compared. But, something tells me that if you had, you would have been quick to point that out. Ergo, I think you have little experience in the matter, and very high skepticism, which essentially means all you have are weak arguments, just like everyone else who has not worked with complete sets of cables.   :) 

Am I interested in further debate with you, if you find that assessment dissatisfactory? No, not at all. Enjoy your system.  :)