Favorite cable brand.

For my less revealing system. Nordost Heimdall, Tellurium Black ll,Audioquest , Teo Audio Cables.Virtual Dynamics pc.Audio Envy phono Cable. My gear Sutherland 2020 phono pre with LPS. Amps Plinius sa 100 modifies, Viva 300b integrated.Jr scout vpi tt, Ares dac, Marantz 8005 sacd, Yamaha s1000 sacd player.audio Research ls2b preamp.I also use Marigo apparition digital, Kimber d60 digital, Kimber Palladian pc, On my Norh biwirable Speakers I use 4 kinds of brand of cable ,the most dynamic sound I ve heard using 4 brand, and different length ,  ps12 Tekton speakers and the magnificent Klipsch 600 monitors.Honestly Iam not that lucky using the same brand.

High Fidelity Cable.  Each, and every time I added a HFC cable (or anything made but HFC) in to my system it just got better.  

WOW!!!  Just think of all of this creativity devoted to, um, "imaginative" names for cables.  Makes a person's head  spin.  Can't help but wonder if some of these cable companies hire the same consultants as political folks do to name the bills they seek to pass.  Think about it.

FWIW, I  believe there is a LOT of snake oil involved in both politics and cables.

Cables MAY make one's system sound DIFFERENT, and it is understandable that is what some may be seeking.  If that is what one is after, all well and good.  Others may just want accuracy.

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.  :) 

I’ve owned and still own a lot of systems and throughout all of them the one combo that works time and again is the Audioquest DBS interconnects and MIT speaker cables. There is a synergy with these two that as one ascends each line produces more image solidity and 3D imaging down into the bass range. 
The new MIT EVO one speaker cables are something to behold...

Quote:

douglas_schroeder3,018 posts04-27-2021 10:46amAny 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.

I would like to point out that Mr. Schroeder has not changed all of the wiring in his components and speakers, so is not getting the full "house sound" that he refers to. He never will because all components and speakers are a mix of parts, each having their own metals and materials.
"House sound" is ambiguous anyway, because almost all manufacturers strive for realistic sound reproduction.
Bottom line is whatever mix sounds good to you is the one you should keep (for the time being anyway).

With that said, I really like MIT Oracle interconnects, Zentara interconnects, Silnote interconnects, MG Audio and Sablon speaker cables, and for power cords; Triode Wire Labs, Shunyata, Synergistic Atmosphere (source components), and a few others depending on the component. I have not found one brand to be best for every component.

My methodology re. cables has always been KISS. - low capacitance, low inductance and low resistance, with as short of run as possible.
I have no desire to tune my system with ridiculously priced cables. Speaker cables:Ted’s "INTEGRITY" 8’ - 24AWG single strand OCC coper in a PTFE sleeve for ea. lead - one pair doubled (as per D. Schroeder) for ea. speaker. IC cables: CABLEPLEX C1 Silver. Power cable: what ever the manufacture supplied with, or recommends for their unit - effectively and safely getting 120V power from your outlet to a component is not rocket science.....Jim

I don’t have a lot of experience with entire looms, as opposed to mix-and-match, but I have had Zu Cable and Acoustic BBQ looms. Audiogoner Bill Dion used to make the Acoustic BBQ; while I gather he no longer does, you still can find some of his products in the used market. Although I have used individual Kimber, Audience, and Morrow cables that were more expensive than the Acoustic BBQ, it was only the latter that made me want to acquire a full loom. Unless I make wholesale changes in my system, which I don’t expect, I don’t anticipate buying anything else, as the Acoustic BBQ sound that good to me.

Each component has a different impedance requirement.

Different cables have different configurations and that interaction is what you are hearing

To optimize waveform transmission, and that is your goal I hope, each cable has to be designed for that equipment. Every other electronic discipline employs this, and any EE will reiterate the same thing.

Wonder who would build a cable for your particular impedance and application? It took me 3 years of calculations and building 150 cables (down to even forming the conductors) to perfect it. Not easy, but it ends the upgrades.

Audience 

Without question I prefer Swisscables, I have their Reference interconnects, Reference speaker cables and their incredibly good Diamond power cord. 

Interconnects and speaker--Audience
Power--Essential Sound Products 

I do not know how to listen to a cable. 
I can only hear a system in which there are cables and which is in a unique room.  Innumerable variables in the system, the room, the ears.
In my system into my ears and my own personal brain based decoder it is Purist Audio Design.  My whole loom, everything, is Purist Dominus Luminist except for one power cord which is LE Praesto. 

I was never satisfied listening to a mix of brands/manufacturers.  Never quite coherent.  For me, it is sonically and emotionally most satisfying listening to one brand.

Before you scoff, never could I afford Purist Audio retail.  Everything bought over several years used or dealer demo at deep discounts.
Enjoy what you enjoy.

I do not know how to listen to a cable.I can only hear a system in which there are cables and which is in a unique room.  Innumerable variables in the system, the room, the ears.In my system into my ears and my own personal brain based decoder it is Purist Audio Design.
My whole loom, everything, is Purist Dominus Luminist except for one power cord which is LE Praesto.  I was never satisfied listening to a mix of brands/manufacturers.  Never quite coherent.  For me, most sonically and emotionally most satisfying listening to one brand.
Before you scoff, never could I afford Purist Audio retail.  Everything bought over several years used or dealer demo at steep discounts.
Enjoy what you enjoy.

The current favourite is Wywires Diamond.

Wow, 50 answers 47 different names. Just shows that many ways lead to musical enjoyment. It puts the what is the best question into perspective.

I use Cerious, I didn’t see that name yet or maybe I read over it.

Parts-Express 14 gauge zip cord

I have graduated to Inakustik brand and I do not see them going anywhere anytime soon. If anything I would add more or upgrade to higher models. These cables are simply that good.

After decades of switching, I've been satisfied with, first (in and out of my Moon 780Dv2 DAC) -- a full loom of Audience Front Row wires:  XLR digital IC, RCA analog IC, and their mighty  power cord.  Speaker cables are Purist Dominus, and IC's  out from the Shindo Giscours pre are Shindo Silver.  Power cord from the VAC amp is a Stealth Dream.

Cardas

Another vote for Transparent-especially if you use tubes in my opinion and shunyata for PC but my experience with a wide number of wire companies is limited.

Transparent

ALL my cables are from DH Labs....Silver Sonic

Neotech
Cardas

In my system I have tried budget (relative I know) cables such as Anticables, Audio Envy, and Cullen, and high end cables such as Stealth, Iconoclast, Silversmith, Silnote, Purist, and AQ. These are my favorites:

Power cords:  Stealth Dream V10 (highend) and Cullen Crossover II (budget)
Interconnect:   Iconoclast UPOCC (highend) and Anticable Ref. 3,1 w/double-run of conductors XLR (budget and so good)
Spk. cables:   Silversmith Fidelium (highend) AQ Robin Hood (2nd). Sorry, not budget here. 
Digital cable:  Silnote Orion but I am waiting for AQ Firebird48. it is a brand new model and 7 weeks of waiting so far. 

High Fidelity and Transparent

Favorite cable Brand ??, That is going to depend on the your units and manufactures .Cables sound different with different companies .

Power Cables
Stage III Concepts
High Fidelity

Interconnects & Speaker
Thales

I've had various favorites over the years, and have tried many higher end cables from lending library at Cable company. I'm done with spending huge money on cables. I now make my own power and IC's from various Helix DIY recipes. I use both VH Audio Airlock and  Duelund DCA in my recipes. One can make really amazing sounding cables here!

Nordost Odin !!!

If you choose only one brand, then Synergistic Researh. There are no other options for me. 

+1 for Morrow.  I use MA5 for both speakers and interconnects and in my system, sounds perfect.  I prefer them over Cardas Golden Cross for speaker wire and MIT 3.3 shotguns.  They just have a detailed yet mellow sound to my ears.

Kimber is excellent at whatever level you can afford. 

For my system the winner of the speaker cable sweepstakes of 9 contestants was Straightwire Maestro. Interconnects became Straightwire Maestro after 7 shoot outs until I tried Straightwire Virtuoso. SACD and DAC feed the pre-amp via Straightwire Virtuoso and the pre-amp to amplifiers are Maestro. Streamer to DAC is Canare Digital. Power side is Audioquest Niagara 3000 and all noise drain Audioquest power cords.

XFinity?TeeHee

First off, your system and your ears are what matters.  Try before you buy and stop trying to outsmart everyone...it is way to variable to use isolated objective parameters of a cable as a definitive solution.  As for all the arguments regarding cables are cables...for the most part, they are often more similar than different but not without discernable performance variations.  For this reason I tried both Transparent cables and MIT many years ago to hear what a “ more than just cable” design could offer.  MIT has been the clearly superior performer for my ears, especially with their more recent offerings.  Once you hear what they can do in a properly matched system, it is virtually impossible to do without them!

Wywires

Where I started and where I am today.

Monster Cable
AudioQuest
Kimber
DIY. Wire and plugs from Michael Percy and Ron Welborne
Back to Kimber
Canare, various.
Clear Days IC both single/balanced and speaker cable with Shunyata PC and Hydra
Nordost
WyWires, with still a couple Nordost and Supra Cat8. Fairly happy where things are with cables and rather spend money elsewhere in the system. Also some power cables for digital equipment from VH Audio, Kimber 8TC and Canare balanced cables that I also use to mic my drums.

Favorite today?
WyWires

Thanks @cromaudionut I like the blue jeans site and I like that schmitt cable site posted earlier in this discussion by @bob540. They tell you how the cable is constructed and charge reasonable prices based on that. This sitehttp://diyaudioprojects.com/Power/power.htmis interesting because it only contains six cable construction projects, hinting to me that for people who look at the available source components, that is about how many basic variations on the theme there are. This is an approach to the cable topic I would love to see an in-depth article on in one of the audio sites.

bruce19 I totally agree.  My cable decisions were born out of research into materials and design.  Also the clear explanation and disclosed measurements of the cables.  Most manufacturers will tell you all the ooohs and ahhhs of their cables but won’t tell you how they supposedly arrived at these magical results.  They’ll use big words and proprietary design principles but still leave you in the dark on measurements and real data.  

Reason suggests that a cable’s properties would be the result of A) type of wire used, B) the geometry (weaving wrapping twisting), C) the insulation or covering and D) the cable ends. So if we don’t have things that we can measure that help us understand what we are getting in a cable at least we could start talking about the cables from various manufacturers in terms of their component parts and how they are sourced.There are probably fewer makers of wire and cable ends then there are makers of finished cable. And if we start talking about wire In terms of its specifications The choices would shrink to even fewer. In this context an audiophile could reasonably expect to learn the differences in properties and sound and be able to intelligently talk with others about his experiences to the benefit of all. Seems like we could all benefit from a little less voodoo on this subject and a lot more reason.

It’s interesting to see all the different brand mentioned. I can’t help but wonder how many have had bad experiences with cables, what those experiences were and what brands. I’ve used many branded and unbranded cables and nothing ever stood out UNTIL I used a set of Audioquest Evergreens from my phono preamp. Whoa, so much noise! Any other stories of cables that showed significant weaknesses??

I like blue.

I've had great results with Kimber, Audio Art, and Zen Wave.

I'd love to try out Cardas some day.  Only heard them at audio shows but sounded great.

I left off Jorma Design maker of my fantastic digital cable. Their analog cables are way out of my price range however.

Remember Discwasher, "Gold Ends"?  That was my first foray into better cables than what came in the box with hi-fi components.  And no, I don't use them any longer and haven't since about 1990. 

My preference is Audioquest for signal cables, power cables, and power conditioners.  There is a lot of good product on the market, this is just my preference.

How many cable companies are there out there, world-wide?  From the mega-corporations to the guy in a garage with a soldering iron.  Well into three figures, and quite possibly nearer to four figures than two.

With all the brands out there, how many of them does even the most dedicated audiophile get to audition?  Some will be sought out, but others encountered by happenstance. So the diversity of choices is only to be expected.

Nordost, Siltech, also analysis plus. 

bruce1938 posts04-28-2021 7:41am@clearthinker you make a good point. I read this thread thinking that there would be some consensus among all the golden ears and deep pockets, but the preferences seem all over the map. I like the comments by @cromaudionut and @urbie because at least there seems to be a line of reasoning supporting the choices.

It is like the barrier to entry is near 0.