Looking For 90% of the performane of the super expensive cables for much less money
I currently have a system which consists of Vandersteen 5A's, THor Audio TP-150 tubed monoblocks, Thor Line Stage and Thor phono stage, Marantz SACD player SA-114 and will take delivery of the VPI Prime Scout with a Sumiko EVOS 3 Cartridge. I am currently using LAT International Speaker Cables, Power Cords and Interconnects. (They are no longer in business). I am in immediate need of turntable cables and would like to update my new speaker cables and interconnects. Not willing to spend thousands on this upgrade. Seeking to capture as much of the "magic" that the super expensive cables deliver but at a more realistic price point. I understand that I have really good quality equipment, but at this stage of my life cannot allocate mega dollars towards cables.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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glupson As far as cheap cables go, Monster Cable, more length than three systems need, $20-30 per spool at the end of the previous century, still work just fine. If you do not obsess over it. They may do just fine when compared to more expensive cables, too, but I have not had a chance. It helps to have low expectations. The new paradigm - The Anti Audiophile. Ah, the eternal quest for mediocrity. 😛 Hmmmm, could there be a recessive audiophile gene? 🤔 |
Most agreed in another thread that tonearm cable is the most important cable in the entire system. With such equipment level you might want something really good. What do you call " mega dollars " ? For some it is $15k pair and for others it is $1500 pair. So I would start with tonearm cable and leave the rest as it is right now, then rewire everything. One brand approach is not always the best but it is the simplest and often a good one. I use Purist Audio Neptune and Tchernov Audio Reference interconnects. You can read my review here. They are not inexpensive but not outrageously expensive either. This doesn't mean it would be the best choice for you, but I think you should try a few brands. Kubala Sosna is another company that comes to mind. All three that I mentioned are used or used to be used by Lamm and many Lamm owners. This tells me something. |
KJL1065.....I have Vanderteen 5A's and have been experimenting with many, many cables. ClearDay Cables are to these ears are as good as the very best, most expensive Wireworld cables. I'm using double shotgun and couldn't be more pleased. He will send you a pair with no obligation on a trial basis...you don't like them send them back. It certainly is worth a listen. |
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gosta, "Someone got a cable that separates Dolly, Emmy and Linda clearly when they sing together?"Do you really want that? Also, what is the deal with having each instrument of an orchestra separate? Aren’t they playing together exactly for that reason? To play together and all the sounds merging? As far as cheap cables go, Monster Cable, more length than three systems need, $20-30 per spool at the end of the previous century, still work just fine. If you do not obsess over it. They may do just fine when compared to more expensive cables, too, but I have not had a chance. It helps to have low expectations. |
GK I'm new to these forums and only came here as a hobbyist looking to share what I may know something about and learn from others in areas where I have little personal experience.........lots of those. I really think that you just get off poking people with a stick from the safety of your keyboard.......like the guy that flips people off in traffic and drives away............it's what you do and I doubt that it's appreciated by many. Perhaps I'm wrong and maybe you're a great guy with an odd sense of humor..............I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but I really do see your presence here as a form of personal entertainment, sometimes at other peoples expense. Feel free to reply.......or not, in any manner you wish. I don't actually give a Fk. Enjoy your evening sir |
elizabeth, IMO, Mahler really didn't become a prominent composer (other than live performances) until stereo came into being. Mahler's orchestration demands the capability to listen in "stereo," permitting the listener to hear the depth and distinctions among the instruments. Also, IMO, stereo permits a better dynamic range of recordings. (My favorite is the 2nd, with Bernstein) |
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On a good system playing Symphonic music most cables make the entire string section sound like one big mass of sound . A few cables make them sound like individual violins playing together . OFTEN this is a deed of the recording engineers . But on the better labels, BIS comes to mind , you can hear the difference and for those who love the music AND have been to hundreds of LIVE Symphony Concerts it is a major difference .From my years on Audiogon I would guess there are perhaps twenty people on here that hear this . The kicker is that it is not the cable alone ,the entire system plays a part, the variations are so numerous it is unlikely any given person is going to find it unless they are specifically looking for it and without symphonic , choir or big-band as a priority they have no reason to, which is very good news for their bank account |
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Many of us Aphiles, yes even known ones of good assumed audio character here on the Gon, have sold our big dollar branded cables and made DIY ICs and speaker cables using Duelund stranded copper wire in cotton. These certainly do offer the kind of sound quality found in a great many of the branded cables selling for up to $2000 a set. Also, several branded cable makers now use this bulk wire in their designs. Also, several noted and respected audio gurus such as Jim Smith also understand how great this wire is. No, not everyone would use it because there would be no differentiation in the marketplace, no choices, not enough profit margin, and mostly because we Aphiles cannot agree on what sounds good. Unfortunately I, like many fellow audio enthusiasts, have owned far too many brands of audio cable over the years. I have spent too much money as I look back now on these cables. I have also made many DIY cables with varying degrees of sonic success. The newer Duelund bulk wire is a special find and does offer a viable means for the audio enthusiast to spend far less money on cabling and achieve great sound. |
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You must not have seen my earlier post. What Einstein said was, “It’s a miracle that the Universe is comprehendable.” Which obviously contradicts your Einstein quote. He must have been high when he said what you say he said. Or else he was misquoted, Who the hell knows. In any case the universe is well understood, even the Higgs boson and gravity waves were found recently - OK, there are a few mysteries remaining - by almost any who actually looks into the subject. The Big Bang, the age of the Universe, the age of Earth, dark matter, gravity, gravity waves, black holes whatever. It’s all in public domain now; you can lead a hoss to water but you can’t make him drink. Revel in your time. |
Here you go Geoff... # 20 https://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/einstein/ Second witness... http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/30877.html Sorry OP... that will be all from me. |
Einstein quote... “The human mind is not capable of grasping the Universe. We are like a little child entering a huge library. The walls are covered to the ceilings with books in many different tongues. The child knows that someone must have written these books. It does not know who or how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. But the child notes a definite plan in the arrangement of the books—-a mysterious order which it does not comprehend, but only dimly suspects.” |
Not to cross-pollinate from other threads, but let me assert with a degree of certainty, that any piece of wire, used as an interconnect will be improved by using High Fidelity Cables Magnetic Adapters. I have heard the immediate improvement on the cheapest ICs sold by Monoprice. I have a friend that uses the adapters on his $5,000 interconnects. Before jumping on any cable bandwagon, you might be well-pleased with the wires you own, with HFC Adapters |
What Einstein actually said was, “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” Einstein also said, “It’s a miracle that the Universe is comprehendable.” But it was PT Barnum who said, “People would be generally much better off if they believed in too much rather than too little.” And it was WC Fields who said, “Never smarten up a chump.” |
its a perfectly appropriate question, but I just had to giggle a little , b/c audio cords have the highest profit margin of audio equipment. So the OP wants 90% of the performance at a much lower cost. I would actually suggest to consider making your own cables then. Get with someone at a DIY shop who sells this products,: wire, terminations, etc and ask them what they would buy and how to build the cable. They will want to help you b/c you are buying their accessories. If you can solder and follow directions, you should be fine. that is the other myth of cables- like they are difficult to make. they are not .... |
Back to the OP. You should do some searching on the Duelund stranded copper wire in cotton. The 16 gauge makes wonderful ICs and speaker cables. It costs $10 a meter at Parts Connextion. Many Aphiles here and folks like Jim Smith and Jeff Day have also found this wire to be a real gem. https://www.partsconnexion.com/duelund-speaker-cable.html No need to terminate for speaker cables as you can just use the bare wire. You can use $9 Cardas RCA connectors from Sonic Craft for an outstanding pair of ICs. If you don’t have the DIY skills and also want your speaker cables terminated I can certainly help you with that. The 12 gauge Duelund wire is also great for speaker cables if you need longer runs and use a higher powered SS amp. |
grannyring Ok @geoffkait we just could not possibly disagree more and let’s leave it at that. No way is this forum the place to try and sort this argument out. I should not have tried to offer a differing view on this off topic tangent. My bad. Back to affordable cables. You’re the one that started it. I just finished it, that’s all. This is just a case of Culture vs Agriculture. |
I would think that the way the entire universe and everything in it exist purely on physical laws...which easily can be seen to be made by a conceptual design proves science is truly grasping more out of vain deceit than actual facts. Can someone explain how the human mind can even exist? Science can’t... |
I disagree with @geoffkait. Quantum dots are full of gaps. To paraphrase Gordon: “The point is, ladies and gentleman, that gaps -- for lack of a better word -- are good. “Gaps are right. “Gaps work. “Gaps clarify, cut through, and capture the essence of the evolutionary spirit. “Gaps, in all forms -- gaps for life, for money, for love, knowledge -- have marked the upward surge of mankind. “And gaps -- you mark my words -- will not only save this thread, but that other malfunctioning site called Audiogon.” (Wall Street (1987), for the plagiarism police out there.) |