Nordost cables are superior. funny how OTHER cable manufactures uses Valhalla as their Reference cable to beat!
(because they know it's the best!) I would keep away from cables with capitance adjusters on them. (tone controls). |
HMS cables from Germany. These are excellent. These were referred to me by ex-Valhalla and Siltech owners. |
Lcat,before I take the time to demo the cables you mentioned, please tell me what a modern cable sounds like. In my system the alpha core goertz offers clarity, transparancy, a terrific smoothness and for me balance - that transcends time for me. Many old products in all walks of life offer better quality than many new products... |
First of all, I would like to state what Goretz cables are defently behind their time. They used to be greate cable compared with MIT or Transparent offerings but most of the moddern cables are quite better. From modern companies I would highly reccomend Acoustic Zen, Z-Cable of Stealth.
If you mention what Leon Rivkin have recommended those cables I'm shure you would get some sort of discount. Out of speaker cables I think Acoustic Zen Satory is a way to go based on the price of your equipment. Acoustic Zen Wow is greate value at $250, and if you could spend a bit more Stealth CWS/CWC also greate. If you could swing $500 for a pair Z-Cable Live V.4 is probably your best bet. Z-Cable also have greate sale 50% off on Live V.3 which is VERY good cable
URLS are
http://www.stealthcables.com/
http://www.zcable.com/
http://www.acousticzen.com/ |
I agree with SDCampbell - I own both and when I put goertz M-2's between Classe and Thiel I truely believe I'm done for a long time with speaker cables... |
RCoppel,
As you can see from this thread, there is no one right answer. Many products perform well. You should also consider a DIY cable. I made my own silver cables and they are absolutely stunning.
Try to audition those that you can and you might even consider buying something used here on Audigon. If you buy it at the right price, if you don't like it, you can probably sell it for about what you paid for it.
The one thing I have learned is one guy might love a particular cable or component for that matter and another guy might hate the same cable or component.
Audio components are sort of like ice cream, you have to try different flavors until you find your favorite. Certainly the entry fee is steeper for some than others, but great sound can be had by carefully selecting each component.
But whatever you do, don't listen to anyone that says their recommendation is the end all for everyone. If one cable or component was clearly, absolutely, positively the best, all of us would own the same thing.
There is no best for everyone (except for chocolate chip cookie dough)!
Warren
***
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I sold my SPM Reference in favor of the Monument interconnect by Stage3 Concepts. I would not say that either one was way better than the other but I will say the virtues of the Stage3 were better sounding to me, in my system. Both are great cables though......
Chris |
I have tried alot of cables... while I don't like all the hype around Nordost cables, their interconnects are hard to beat. The Red Dawn is an excellent cable for the price. The Valhalla is about the best you can buy... but the price is ridiculous. Red Dawn speaker cable is also very good sounding. I ended up with Transparent Ultra for speaker cable... just a better match for my Watt Puppys. Find a good shop... test cables, then buy them from that shop. M |
www.stage3concepts.com These are one of the finest cables available at this time. All hand drawn and solderless terminations.
Good Luck!
Chris |
The two brands/models of speaker cables I recommend to someone looking for good performance at moderate price are:
1. Alpha-Core Goertz MI1 or MI2 cables. You can order terminated or unterminated cables directly from the factory. These cables feature a flat, solid rectangular core that can be terminated with spades, bananas, pins, or a "hybrid" wire pigtail. For more info, or to order, see their Web site: www.alphacore.com/
2. Kimber Kable 4TC or 8TC. These cables are braided, with either 4 pairs (13 gauge) or 8 pairs (10 gauge) of braided, variable strand copper wire that is Teflon coated. Choose 4TC if you have fairly short runs, or 8TC if runs are longer. You can also combine the two sizes for bi-wiring, with the 4TC driving the mid-range and tweeter, with the 8TC driving the bass. Kimber Kable 4TC and 8TC are tried-and-true choices which have proven themself in many audio systems. If your budget is tight, you could also use Kimber 4VS or 8VS, which are identical to the 4TC/8TC product in their construction, except the individual wires are not covered with Teflon. For more info about Kimber Kable, see their Web site: www.kimberkable.com |
I have Swans M1 Speakers, which are not too distant from what you own. My Power amp is a Proton, which falls on the bright side. I am using Tice interconnects and it has smoothed the sound of my DAC-Pre connection---soudstage is wide, tall and deep. Just as I had read in a review. Tice is selling them direct for $137.50 a 1.5 m pair. It's a great bargain. Speaker cable is on clearance, too.
You don't mention line conditioning--I would get a De Zorel filter with two modules for your integrated amp and CDP, a couple of Absolute Power Cords and start listening to them Mariachi's. |
I have the same experience as Lak. One of the best online cable outfits is Pure Note. They are perfect for your situation since you can buy secure online and save many dollars because there is no dealer markup. |
I recommend you take a look on the Argento cables. I use them in my own system. Each of their models represent fantastic value in their pricegroup.
They will send anywhere in the world factory-direct.
I have heard them in several systems and the always beat the competition.
http://www.argento.dk
Regards,
Ulrik |
first let me say I do not emphasis cables as a priority. I'm sure their are others but the products from www.bettercables.com are priced right with good quality.
I am in NO WAY affiliated with nor even know anyone affiliated with the company. |
www.zucable.com
go to www.harmonicdiscord.com there is a Zu forum there that has a bunch of consumer opinions on their cables. Truly a great company to deal with. They have a money back gaurantee and they also have a trade up policy. |
audioquest cv-6 great bargin god cable for that system,I am runnig the with the same preamp and the arcam silver cd player and the revel m20 sounds great and there also a good bargin |
For speaker cables and interconnects consider the Pure Note Epsilon Reference, http://www.purenote.com/
Detailed but not harsh, great lows, mids and highs with excellent timbre. |
