2. cables
  3. 134352-2090

HOW SHORT IS TOO SHORT?

I'm replacing a tube stereo amp this week with a pair of Canary M350 monoblocks. I have a set of 8 foot Cerious Technologies liquid ceramic cables and wonder if 4 foot long would make that much of a difference. I can't (nor would I) cut the cables I have now but wonder if comparable cables being shorter would make much difference. I haven't heard the amps in my system yet and have no complaints with my cables.
polk432
9 responses Add your response
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,466 posts
 
polk432,

Well first off the cable needs to be long enough to make the connection. And perhaps you need to factor in excess for slack.
But, there should be no difference in audio sonics between the 8 foot vs. 4 foot cable length.
That being said Tube amps probably perform their best when used with the shortest cable possible.

ozzy
polk432 OP
1,142 posts
 
Thanks Ozzy. I'll keep the cables I have. I was also concerned with vibration from the speakers if the amps were set too close.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

If cable possess high capacitance, the shorter the better. Don’t place the amps directly on the floor, of course; physical vibrations transferred into the floor will travel right into the amp’s chassis (even if it’s a cement slab foundation, though they will be less severe than with a suspended wooden one), especially bad with tubes.

Isolating the amps from floor-borne vibrations is always a good idea. If you’ve been following discussions on that topic here, you may be aware of roller blocks, springs, and the great Townshend Audio Seismic Platforms and Pods. The makers of all the isolation products tout their products effectiveness, but users sometimes disagree ;-).

polk432 OP
1,142 posts
 
Thanks. I have wooden floors and will place the amps on 1.5'' thick maple butcher blocks. I have fat pads to place under the amps.I use roller blocks under my turntable that sits on a Symposium Svelte plus shelf. I may get a couple more of them to put under the butcher blocks in the future. The butcher blocks seemed to work well with the fat pads under the Cary Cad 120s amp I traded in.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,466 posts
 
I have 4" thick maple stands that I use under my subwoofers. Under the maple I installed some 2" Star sound Audio brass points.

http://www.starsoundtechnologies.com/productsDetail.php?2.0AP-1--View-Details-for-Model-Numbers-14

ozzy
polk432 OP
1,142 posts
 
I'll get a couple more blocks and stack them later on. I can't wait to hear the 300b class A amps. I'll check out those brass points or maybe use roller blocks on one lever and fat pads on the other. Thanks again.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
there should be no difference in audio sonics between the 8 foot vs. 4 foot cable length.
Yes. And don't coil your 8 ft. cables.
lak's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
lak
4,627 posts
 
I agree with ozzy's comments and would add elevaate all cables off the floor.
polk432 OP
1,142 posts
 
Thanks lak, I keep the ic's  pc's and cables off the floor and use a semi suspension pARTuclar rack . Thanks to all.
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