Stupid Question-What's the best way to choose?


OK-Here it goes. The more I read on this board the more confused I get. It seems half the posts here talk about cable manufacturers selling snake oil and the other half completely buying into what they are selling. Are they both right/wrong? I just ordered some new equipment and am not new to this hobby but I'm far from technical. If you want to talk wine I can hold my own with just about anyone. I know if I lay out my component list and musical preferences, I'll get 50 responses sending me in 50 different directions. What does one do if they know they love the sound they've chosen but can't see having to spend ANOTHER fortune on cables they thought they already owned? I'll lay out what I own and it may clarify my previous question.

Source: Cary 306 SACD
Pre amp: Aesthetix Calypso
Amps: Quicksilver V4
Speakers: Vandersteen 5
Interconnects: Magnan Vi, Audioquest Diamond
Speaker Cable: Biwire Audioquest Sterling and Midnight

I'm looking for a common sense approach to this process. Obviously I've made a serious investment and am not looking to cheap out when it comes to sound but honestly I don't have any idea where to begin.

Thanks in advance for any insight.
jeffmazen

Showing 1 response by uppermidfi

I'm not sure what you're getting at, since you own AudioQuest Diamond (which as I recall was about $1000/m), and you've spent good money on the speaker cable too.

Whenever i read the threads where someone is asking for recommendations it only turns into a "this is my favorite so you should buy it too" session.

If you don't want something don't buy it! If you're happy with your cable, why are you even asking. You can't think that cable is snake oil since you've already got expensive cable.

I know the ICs I have now are a lot better than the cheap ones I had before. I know my speaker cable isn't very good. I bought into the fad of the Paul Speltz Anti-cable hype. What a waste of money that was but it's what I have now; besides it's all I could afford at the time.

The only way to buy is by listening. If you have snake oil dripping from your ears after listening, don't buy that cable.