Strategy for upgrading long interconnect cable run


I am looking for advice regarding the best way to try out a replacement set of long, (6 m), XLR interconnects that run between my preamp and my amplifiers. I am running VAC electronics with a Grimm Audio digital source, a technics sp-10ii turntable, and Avalon Eidelon Diamond speakers.  Most of my interconnects are Shunyata alphas except for this long run, which is (relatively old) Purist Audio Genesis Praesto revision. I am wondering if they may be holding back my system.  Since 6m (5m may work) cables are relatively rare… playing the used market may not be the best idea. I am OK with buying new, in which case I would prefer a brand that allows returns after audition, and/or a brand that does not increase the cost very much in proportion to length (Purist used to operate this way, not sure if they still do). Basically, I am wanting to minimize my risk, but willing to pay if I find a notable improvement to what I already have. I realize there is the cable company… But I doubt they have that many long balanced runs. Any suggestions for which brands to try that might accommodate my needs? Budget around $2-3k. Thanks very much in advance.

peter_s

Showing 1 response by bugredmachine

Peter,

I have an 18 foot run from preamp to amp. Before I settled on Wywires and was fortunate to find a very long Wywires pair I daisy chained cables for the better part of 2 years. I found that the last 3 to 6 feet impacted the sound and reflected that cable's signature onto the sound. Now, you can't run a Morrow MA1 bottom of the line cable with a Snake River cable and have all the goodness of the SR come through, but you can get a taste for it. So I was in your same dilemma where buying a 6 meter cable you did not like or didn't match well would be a very frustrating and expensive adventure. I took copious notes and mixed and matched all brands of cables. Check my 2023 TN page for some info. I was using XLR's, so very easy to daisy chain. I ended up buying 1 or 2 meter cables and switched them in to see what worked best over 2 plus years. Finally, in the end, Wywires were magical and I got lucky finding a used pair in a length longer than I required.

So, take this as an option to get you there or a promotion for Wywires (Diamond or Platinum only). With your system, stay with the higher end cables, they are definitely worth it.