Thanks to all replying to cd sounding like LP.

Johnymac, I'm not sure what your experience is with cables so I'll limit my comments to one certain fact - that is cables are passive in nature and cannot increase the signal level from an amp, they can only change the signal. You can get different, not more. If you feel you are missing something really important from your speakers in the bass you would need to get something to increase the signal, like a parametric equalizer/tone control or different speakers, or reposition your present speakers to a place nearer to the rear wall (but results accross the bass may change but not get better due to standing waves). Iuse Cardas in my main system, but even this can be expensive if you need long lengths. It does have a nice effect on the highs and midrange. Some of the cheaper cardas has a nice warmth. In another system I use (cheapskate that I am) 10guage multistrand twisted speaker wire purchased at a hardware store for about 40 cents per foot. It may not be perfect but it works dammed well in that system (the components are high end). By the way I agree with you regarding the sound of your 500. This amp was one that was regularily highly modified and one served my very well until i got the bug.

Zaikesman, Firstly, i definitely did not think that a cable/interconnect swap will solve any of the problems that Johnymac is experiencing. But, he inquired about cable and interconnect for his system, therefor my post was more for the benefit of Johnymac than posterity. What I thought to do was to dispell what I believe was his, and a common, misconception about what cabling and interconnects can do. As I recall he has older Hafler amps and speakers which he likes. He has an LP system which he likes the sound of but he has a CD system which has the older classic CD problems in the uppermidrange and he dislikes their sound. This sounds typical of the experience of many when they first try CD's. He wants to tune his system so he can listen to both CD's and LP's. He doesn't want to buy new amps or speakers. I emphatically agree with you that cables can and do make a great difference in the sound of your system, I have gone thru many pairs to find one to match my system and my expectations. Without getting into a technical discussion of why, what good cables do best is get out of the way of the signal from the amp and let it pass unmolested to the speakers. Most do not, and I would argue that is the designers intention, so that most manufacturer's cables are at best designed with certain expectations regarding its use. When you match the right cable to the right equipment, wonderbar! I also think most people use cable to tune their systems, a fair purpose.

Back to Johnymac's inquiry. I assumed from his equipment that he did not want to spend a lot of money on cables of any type -the cost of high quality cables could easily exceed the value of his equipment and not make the changes he would want to hear. Thats why i talked about cables not being able to amplify signals per se, but by allowing the signal to pass correctly you can hear all you components have to offer. I didn't recall the Halfer having the tightest bass but I do recall it having a full bass (if your speakers are up to the task). I didn't remember it having the smoothest mids and highs. In my experience Cardas Quadlink 5C speaker cable would help smooth the mid's and highs and maintain the quality of his bass, but I thought that even that might be more than he would want to spend. As an alternative and a base line i mentioned the generic 10 guage multistrand which should not exacerbate any of the problems he is experiencing in the bass (I'm not sure of the high end, but the mid range should be OK also). Its cheap, often overlooked, and could match up well with his vintage amp's and speakers. If it were my money, I'd be looking at a tube dac/cdp and a tube amp before i looked seriously at any cabling. I hope this clears up any confusion I may have caused, if not let me know.