SPEAKER CABLE OR INTERCONNECT

Power cable. 

What do you have in place for interconnects and speaker cables now? This might determine the best path forward. 

@gkelly   +1 then Mad Scientist Graphene Oxide then iso devices under everything > interconnects/digital I/Os> speaker cables

+1 @zlone Helpful to know what interconnects/cables you’re using now, but in general I’d start with the interconnect closest to your source unless your speaker cables are worse/lower quality than your interconnects.

I suggest you build speaker cables yourself using Cat 8 Ethernet Cables

I’m 75, tried many speaker cables over the years, myself and my friends. They sound great, cost comparatively next to nothing, and there are advantages to having quality removable connectors. most are 26 awg (x8 = 17awg), I use 24 awg (x8 = 15 awg).

cat 8, 24 awg x 8 = 15 awg pure copper, S/FTP

S/FTP: SHIELDED WITH FOILED TWISTED PAIRS

Similar to F/FTP, the individual twisted pairs are wrapped in a foil tape before being wrapped in an overall flexible yet mechanically strong braid screen. The additional foil on the twisted pairs helps to reduce crosstalk from adjacent pairs and other cables. The braid provides better grounding.

.............................................

I use two different colors, wrap them around each other, tape every 3 lf ; add expanding banana or spade connectors. easy each end to know +/-

wire stripper and crimper

locking banana plugs

spades

add a bit of length to allow for wrapping them, leave slack both ends, extra length costs next to nothing compared to expensive cables. cut them after you make them, add connectors, done!

Speaker Wire Info from Roger Russell

15awg is not big enough for speaker cables imho.

Currently I am using cables from 

 a company called O2A their top of the

line ULTIME it's silver.But the PC are

Oyaide GPX R V2.

My setup is Ideon EOS stream with 

clock, EXTRAUDIO DAC with PILIUM

Leonidas integrated and AUDIO SOLUTION

Virtuoso M speakers.

carlsbad2

"15awg is not big enough for speaker cables imho."

well, we tend to go overboard these days, here’s a wire chart from the roger russell speaker wire document. depends on both length and impedance.

Speaker Wire Info from Roger Russell

Unfortunately there’s no universal answer. I would replace the weakest link. 

I tested Inakustic, Tchernov, and Hijiri and a couple of others.  I ended up with Hijiri and they are a great cable.  I would go with speaker cables first.  I have since upgraded to QSA Ultimatum Infinity Speaker cables and they are in another stratosphere in price but well worth it if you can afford them

Hijiri is awesome and I use the RCA interconnects and power cords on my Aries Cerat System 

. 

#1 speaker cable

Do a search on Audiogon for AES48 and see if it applies to your gear.

Dear Willgolf,

Have you sold your Hijiri speaker cables? Please let me known if you didn't.

Viking's double horn Fella here.

Thanks, Chris.

I have longish speaker cable requirements caused by amp placement necessities, and I've used various brands of cables over the years...recently decided to try the recently upgraded Kimber 8PR that gets to 10awg at the posts...a GREAT and relatively inexpensive cable. Seriously...500 bucks or something for 14' or so?

Speaker cable for sure ,it’s the last part of the chain before going to theLoudspeakers ,and make sure they are elevated off the floor or carpeting ,

and they Donot touch any power cords or interconnects . I use industrial Velcro on back of rack it works great to keep everything separated.

Townshend Audio F-1 Fractal speaker cables

Another vote for speaker cables first. Got these Kinki Studio Earth Speaker Cables and will keep. HIJIRI great for sure despite a full loom costing as much as some cars.

@audioman58 Hymn. I always wondered if the spider web jumble of wires in back of components causes some electromagnetic interference. No matter how I try to sort it’s messy.

Cable interaction is for sure real ,

Thats why cables off floor electricity,magnetic fields,

No Ac cable Ever on any interconnect,or speaker cable 

And  if AC cable are near each other alway run at a X 

Across and i keep separate with speaker foam so thsy never touch

Having owned a Audio store my techs taught me many

Things regarding magnetic fields,and noise it can be measured and heard 

Also depending on your cables quality in shielding. 

@jasbirnandra - Hijiri Cables are among the very finest cables available.

But I would suggest you ask about them on the Hijiri thread. The guys on there can provide some guidance as to which model or combination might suit you the best.

But to your question: Speaker or Interconnect first?

• I would recommend getting the speaker cables first
• then, when you get the Interconencts you will really be able to hear the improvements.

I’ve been making my own cables for over 12 years and I was surprised as to how much of an improvement the speaker cables made. Having the best speaker cables is essential for further cable upgrades

Discerning the improvements from the introduction of a new interconnect or power cable was so much easier

Regards - Steve

I think this can be system dependent. Hopefully you can try both out first or return the one that did not perform the best over the other. That being said. Treat your room first. Way more important than those two cables. If you have done that then I am going to suggest power cables too. They say upgrade your sources first. That being said I am a huge proponent of getting your foundation covered first. Room, speakers, amp, preamp and cables for them. Once you have your foundation correct everything can sound good, just different. Like better sound stage, better detail, and last but not least tighter bass. This will help your speakers disappear more easily. I know so many people who gamble with the gear and are not always happy. I will bet you do not have your foundation and room treatments correct. First reflections, front wall between the speakers, and dial in your speaker placement. You will be amazed. If you can have something less attractive try moving blankets from Harbor Freight of drapes from Amazon. I hope this helps. 

I typically follow the old Transparent Audio advice, unless buying used, then it's whatever comes up first...Transparents' preferred order to upgrade was IC from source to pre first, then speaker cables, and lastly IC from amp to pre...

Everybody here who are trying to help thank you.

The cables I currently use are not bad but I am looking for more depth and they are here feeling and more air like phantom images in front of you.

Do no waste money as i some time did - Try for free trial Ice age audio OFC series

speaker cables and interconect before buying expensive stuff.

You will be surprised like i was.

How would one define the difference in sound of  SLC million and HCS speaker cable.

Deciding cable change priority can be a tough one, as there are likely many variables. That said, as ArgentPur.audio for almost three years, I can report that EVERYONE who has demo'ed my speaker cables has remarked re their substantial improvements. (For that I'm grateful.) But maybe only 60% of IC changes were very noticeable...I think due to the inherent impedance mismatch contiuum among front end components. As a result, I recommend getting the amp-speaker transducer dialed in carefully first. If your amps are fine, and you've gotten the loudspeaker/room to play well, you can then decide if improving res and detail upstream via a better source component or DAC is as important as changing out ICs. I am certainly NOT going to suggest that you spring for a premium solid pure silver IC (like mine!) if you're using a low-res DAC or midrange front end.  That's why a careful consult is required, knowing your complete system, speakers, room, budget, and tastes. Good luck.