Timlub, what gear are you running, are you using the belden as wire from your amp or internally. How would you describe the it?
INTERNAL CABLING- Heres some choices, give me your two cents on these cables..... Please _
So here is what I'm working on.
The cabling in my Mirage M1's is 12 gauge zip cord, that has oxidized and turned green at the terminations. Problem is I don't have a huge amount of cash to spend on new cabling, as I've spent most my money on replacing the existing caps in the crossover, with Jantzen superior and Standard Z caps (theres like 20 caps in each crossover). I need close to 50 feet for the two speakers and I only have 75-120 to spend on the cabling, this is a shoe string situation. I can't stand the idea of leaving the green cables in there.-
So here is what I have considered, Please let me know your thoughts on each of these-
1. Jantzen = Constructed of 2 conductors, 1 x red and 1 x black, AWG 17.
The cabling in my Mirage M1's is 12 gauge zip cord, that has oxidized and turned green at the terminations. Problem is I don't have a huge amount of cash to spend on new cabling, as I've spent most my money on replacing the existing caps in the crossover, with Jantzen superior and Standard Z caps (theres like 20 caps in each crossover). I need close to 50 feet for the two speakers and I only have 75-120 to spend on the cabling, this is a shoe string situation. I can't stand the idea of leaving the green cables in there.-
So here is what I have considered, Please let me know your thoughts on each of these-
1. Jantzen = Constructed of 2 conductors, 1 x red and 1 x black, AWG 17.
The Copper is oxygen free 99.9999% pure, solid core. Both conductors are individually polyethylene coated and padded out with stranded isolating fibres the wrapped in polyester tape and further encased in blue termoplastic casing.
My concern with the Jantzen is the size, its only 17 awg, My experience has been the Mirages are power hungry speakers and like big cables. I have big Tara Lab temporal continuum cables running them. Even the zip cord in side them is 12 awg, going 17 AWG makes me nervous. Any comments on this is appreciated.
2. Audioquest type 2, type 4, or G2, X2, Q2
Not sure if any of these are worth their cost. Wondering how much better the type 4 is than the type 2 or how much better the type 2 is over the G2, X2 or Q2. audioquest.com/flat_series_bulk_spools/q2
3. Belden 9497- Dont know much about this cable, I have heard other people have had good results but not sure seems like the size isnt all that I would like.
4. Canare 4s11, again dont know much about these cables but I've heard a lot of good things about them for their price.
5. Ive looked at the Duelund, but they appear to be only sold in single strands, and the cost for the amount required.
6. Curious about Vandenhul (VDH) cables, I am interested in the Snowline and the Skyline, However I haven't been able to find anything on these cables. vandenhul.com/products/cables/speaker-cables
What I want to know is
1. Has anyone had experience with these cables, whats your thoughts on them being used as internal cabling for a pair of Mirage M1's?
2. Is 17 Awg on the Jantzen cables big enough to effectively drive the 8 inch bass drivers on the M1's?
3. Has anyone used the the Vandenhul cables that use carbon, whats your thoughts on their overall presentation, are they neutral, detailed, dull, bright, etc?
4. Is all the hype about using solid conductors over stranded true-?
As always thanks to all who give their two cents-
My system overall,
Proceed Amp3 (eventually I will bi amp with a second one)
Proceed AVP-S
Mirage M1
Tara Labs temporal continuum Speaker cables
Audioquest Diamond interconnects
Musical Fidelity Vdac w/ J-RIVER (coming soon)
Showing 19 responses by idahifi
Is there a down side to using cables like aq ? I've heard of people using type 4 with good results, although it's all subjective. I used dh labs t14 years ago with phenomenal results, I would use them again but the price is 9 per ft. I've also read not to use stranded but rather solid core. I certainly don't want to place zip cord in there simply because it was what the factory used 30 years ago. |
I'm trying to wrap my head around cable sounding laid back. Years ago I tried dh labs t14 and one thing I noticed after burn in, was that it was significantly more detailed and seemed faster, would laid back be the opposite of these characteristics, or consistent with them? Or Would a laid cable sound kinda slow and rounded off sounding , kinda blurry? I had a classe CA200 amp a few years ago and many on agon referred to it as having a laid back sound. But I just thought it sounded smooth a bit warm while still being fairly detailed, would this be consistent with the 9497 description as being laid back? Any thoughts on this is appreciated. |
Maybe I miss calculated the cost, I understand 12 meters is 120, but that's only one lead isn't it? So for two leads that cost would double to 240. I'm basing this the following link that shows the duelund is a single wire rather than a pair. Does duelund make one that is a pair of wires for the 10 per meter on http://www.partsconnexion.com/duelund-81514.html |
I haven't replaced the resistors, I was going to with a mundordf that was recommended by Tony Gee at humble hifi. He spent a lot of time with me helping me decide what caps to use. I have an order I'm placing with him for the caps, I hadn't placed the order yet because I'm trying to figure out the internal cabling before I place the order, so I can include it in the order assuming he has the cable I decide on. He recommended the jantzen but I was concerned it was rather small only being 17awg. Long story short, I may wait on the resistors as I'm already over extended. |
Assuming the duelund is out of my budget, I'm looking at the belden, just need to decide which one, the 5000 or the 9497. I'm wondering if one has the advantage over the other relating to air and detail. I was looking at the supra stuff as well but it seems the 3.4 is the one to get and it's like 4 bucks a ft which puts it out of the budget. |
I'm not confused between the discussion. I realize that the duelund may have some advantage over belden, however as mentioned, cost is an issue and what I need is the best bang for the buck. However I appreciate the rhetoric in the duelund because sometimes things change I could come into money or at a later time have the same task and would be interested and able to afford the duelund. I probably will replace those resistors and check out those mills resistors. For now I need to decide whether to put the 9497 on the mids and tweets, or just use the 5000 thru out. I'll probably purchase a little of both and try it from the amp to the speakers, just to see which I like better. Would you know how long the burn in time is for the belden. |