Newbie here with a cable question


Hello all. For a couple years now I have been piecing together a McIntosh system and am ready to hook it up but I have no idea what cables I will need. I know it’s a broad question but, could someone tell me what I will need and what brand. Don’t want to break the bank but I still want high quality. ANY help, advice would be most helpful. I would just like to buy it and tuck it away for when I am ready to set it up. Here is my system:

Avid Acutus Turntable
McIntosh MC 275 IV tube amp
McIntosh C2200 tube pre amp
Mcintosh MCD 550 cd player

(still need to get speakers...thinking Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL)
(also was told I should get a power system like Furman but no idea on this)

Thank you in advance guys, and again....I would appreciate ANY advice, model, brand you will give me.
My hope is to just make a list out of what you all tell me and just go buy it so I am all set when I am ready to hook everything up. Happy Holidays people.

Chuck
fishisgod
I’m a fan of Martin Logan speakers so naturally I’m biased. ツ

I was initially drawn to the ElectroMotion ESL line but once I heard the Spires, I was hooked.

I have two amps I interchange. One is a pair of highly modified Golden Tube Audio SE-40 75W tube monoblocks and the other is a pair of modded 600W pro audio solid state monoblocks.

The two amps sound very different. The tube amp is sweet and mellow while the s/s amps have an incredible slam that just isn’t there with the tubes. Rock and large orchestral music really come alive with the s/s amps, while jazz, vocal, small chamber ensembles and instrumental sound divine with the tubes.

Depending on your taste in music, you may really like the ESL speakers with your McIntosh gear or not.

As for cables, I’m a believer but recognize that not everyone else is. I’d recommend you start with decent mid-priced cables (e.g. Nordost Blue Heaven, Blue Jeans, etc.). Once you are familiar with the sound of your system, audition a higher end cable. There are lots of companies that offer a no questions asked, money back guarantee.

I am a fan of Teo Audio Game Changer cables. At ~$600 they aren’t exactly cheap but in MY system they made a significant improvement. YMMV.

And finally, give some consideration to room treatments. A room can make or break a system.
It looks like you’ll two pairs of interconnect, Possibly a phono cable if you don’t already have one, and one pair of speaker cables.  Do you have a price range in mind of what you are comfortable spending on those 3-4 pairs of cables?

 If you want to get something nice, but don’t want to break the bank, I would recommend a budget of $100-$300 per pair of interconnect and $300-$1000 for a pair of speaker cables. 

 Personally, I am a fan of both Cardas cables and Kimber,  and both of these companies make products in that price range. 

 If you call the good people at the cable company, they can give good advice, and they also have cool lending library  whereby you can try cables out. 
I NOT A AUDIOPHILE JUST A CASUAL. LISTENER WHO HAS WATCH GENE OF AUDIOHOLICS REVIEW AUDIO EQUIPMENT STILL ON FENCE ABOUT CABLES TO USE I' VE TALKED TO AUDIOQUEST BOUT. TYPE 4 BJC ON THEIR 5000EU   AND KIMBER ABOUT 8TC MY ROOM IS 12 BY 13FT MY SETUP  EMOTIVA XPA9 GEN 3 AMP, MARANTZ SR8012, DEF TECHNOLOGY BP9080X TOWERS WITH DOLBY ATMOS SPEAKERS BUILT IN CS9080 CENTER CHANNEL, 4 SR9080 SURROUND SPEAKERS. AND 2 BP8060 DEF TECHNOLOGY. TOWER FOR REAR I DON'T WANT TO JUNK SETUP WITH GARBAGE CABLE BUT I DON'T  WANT SPEND 1349$ FOR KIMBER 8TC AT A TOTAL OF 140FT OR 1468$ AT145 TOTAL FT FOR AUDIOQUEST TYPE BJC QUOTED 309$ PLUS TERMINATED ENDS FOR SAME FOOTAGE  THERE'S GOTTA BE A CATCH LOOKING. OPTIMIZE. EQUIPMENT. THXS TO ALL FOR UR ADIVICE.  
RAY
Hi RAY,

With a 12X13 room, your money would be much better spent on room acoustics vs cables, assuming that is not already addressed.

Nonetheless, you might consider the Duelund 16 gauge wire from Parts Connexion for around $120 for a single run pair of 10ft speaker cables. Amazingly good tone and bass definition with smooth, open highs for a ridiculously low price.

The Duelund 20 gauge wire makes a great interconnect as well.

Dave

Thxs Dave this is Ray on Duelund cable that you referred me on I never heard of them are you sure Im going to research their product now thxs Dave any other reference plz send