Like most of us, I started with average components and cheap cables. After getting a few nicer components, I tried more expensive cables. More expensive meant Blue Jeans, cheap good deals on random cables, etc. These did improve things and made me feel better about my cables. When I moved up the chain again in components, I took members advice and sought help from The Cable Company. I tried many, and landed on Audience AU24SX. I quickly acquired a full loom as they are easily available used / demos. So I thought I was done. Well, when I moved up the component ladder one more time, my dealer said hey, let me try different speaker cables to compare. Wow. I can not unhear these improvements. Fuller, richer, better bass, and still very resolving. So I sold all of my Audience (easy) and now have a full loom of Kubala Sosna, and like @pennfootball71 , now have all Realization in my main system. They are the real deal.
This is not being arrogant, they just sound better to me and to me they are worth it.
But, having a vacation cabin with an audio system, I try to be value conscious in that system. For me, Zavfino hits the mark. Their Aradia copper cables are very nice and a great deal in my opinion. I do not like silver in my system as too bright and flashy. So I understand value conscious shoppers, but also hear the quality as does our Penn fan. I believe in synergy of cable type and brand. It just all comes together.
I have also made nice cables. In my family room my speaker cable runs are very long. This is my second system. so I did not want to go crazy. I landed on Furutech FS Alpha 36 from VH Audio. I got all the heat shrink I needed, Furutech gold plated spades, and made beautiful long speaker cables. I can solder and I bought a heat gun for the shrink. I installed these on the high / mid speaker binding posts, and left my generic thick copper cables on the bass posts. This change was transformational in this system, and was unapproachable with nice commercial cables (runs were 25 feet each). My interconnects and power cables in that system are Elation, so the speaker cables were the bottleneck. Huge improvement and a fun project.
So there are better cables at all price points, you just have to find them, and for me they are not made in China. I hope I spelled etc correctly!.
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Lots of views here. I am a firmly midfi guy so take everything I say from that perspective. I use an assortment of wires from Audioquest, Shunyata, DH Labs (good value) The Chord Company, Nanotec (outstanding value), Furutech and some from China - various makers. I am not going to claim that Chinese cables that cost $50 rival $10,000 wires but some sound pretty good and are holding a place in my current system. You must be selective.
I currently assemble most of my power cables. I started out buying Furutech parts at full retail and had some success and some disappointments. I have found some Chinese sourced bulk power cables and connectors that are great, but you have to buy and try to determine which ones from which venders are effective, and which just look pretty.
I use an ATAUDIO interconnect for my subwoofer and like how that sounds.
I have an Audiomeca power cable that is supposedly OCC copper that looks lovely, comes in a nice box, cost a little over a hundred bucks and rivals the sound of power cables I have and have tried costing $500-$800. I am currently using it to power my Swagman Labs SE linear power supply for my analog front end with great satisfaction.
I bought a Xangsane “7N OCC silver plated power cable” for under $100 on a lark and it sounds terrific. My son is currently using it in his Naim/Rega/ATC/REL system side by side with quality Audioquest, Naim, DHLabs and Isotek power cables. Not saying it is an Audioquest Hurricane killer, just saying it is a good value if you can overlook the hideous lime green color and component lifting stiffness.
I bought a Chinese replica of a $3,000 Furutech power cable for $100 and got what I paid for. Looks great, sounds just OK.
I bought some “Valhalla” speaker jumpers from China that are supposedly silver plated OCC to replace the stock metal plates on some Wharfedale Diamond 12.0s in a second system, and WOW, are they good. They cost $45 and are worth every penny. Compared to some other jumpers I’ve tried made from bulk wire and other store bought versions, these phony knock offs are hands down better. It takes a long time to burn them in, but they make the little Wharfedales sound like much more expensive speakers.
Lastly, out of curiosity I bought some $45 interconnects from China that look very much like $19,000 top of the line wires from a certain US vender. I put them in my system and gave them every chance to impress me, and ultimately they didn’t. They weren’t completely awful, but my Nanotec wires with Furutech rhodium plugs sound way better. Those Chinese wires are now gracing my spare cable box.
YMMV
kn
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vthokie83,
And if you really want to up your game you should try the neotech rectangular OCC cable unfortunately their top stuff which is the Amazon and the Sahara are not available in bulk but they do have other rectangular OCC available and it is far superior to the round OCC because that's what I upgraded from.
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I have bought speakers wires and power cords from Pinetree Audio The quality, attention to detail and sound are excellent For what's it worth they are made here right in the good old USA The price for what you get is very good indeed!!
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*Audioquest Hurricane High Current, 15A, power cable used on my DAC. I know, this cable isn't recommended by Audioquest for source components, but it works just fine and sounds absolutely Incredible on my DAC!!!
*JPS Labs Aluminata power cable used on my integrated amp. Initially, I tried this power cable on my DAC, but it turned out to be a game changer on my integrated amp instead. Incredible!!!
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Amazon Basic—you can’t beat it.
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All of my ic's are from Koldingaudio (eBay). They are smooth, open, and dynamic. They are digital RCA for my cdp, AEB/EBU streamer to dac, and XLR DAC to my Luxman class A. The lowest cost cable was $8 delivered, and the most expensive was around $23 delivered. They are all OCC, and the digital RCA is OCC silver plated. Very well pleased, and I am not looking to replace any of them.
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Sure,
If it’s for free, I could use some 5 meter XLR cables, My 3 meter XLR’s are being overly stretched!
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This isn't a purchased cable per se, but because it was an inexpensive experiment, so I gave it a go. This was to connect Maggie MMGs to a modded Hafler DH 220.
While not the end all be all by any stretch, I was fairly blown away by the sound this DIY speaker cable produced. I'm certain it would be pooh-pooh'd by many, but hey. So what. I believe my seasoned, trained ears. I was also able to find a cord with a white sheath, so that made it somewhat attractive as well.
https://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/whitelightning/moonshine.html
I'm not currently using the ones I made, as I stuck in a beefier amp so came up with some new cable, but was looking at them the other day and was considering swapping them in for the single-conductor 12-gauge wire I'm using right now (to good effect, I might add) just to see how they measure up.
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You're using Fyne speakers. That's your problem right there.
They can sound uncouth at the top, the cable you are raving about is acting as a tone control and reducing clarity, definition, plus glare, and sibilance.
The best cables i have used are Entreq and Dalby Audio Design.
Nothing else comes close ime.
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@gavman
Who were you adressing? I didn't see anyone mentioning Fyne speakers.
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@roxy54
My mistake, mistook Klyne for Fyne
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I bought a used 7’ pair of Anticables 4.2 speaker cables for $212 to my door and they are shockingly good. I also have 16awg solid core wire (of another brand) insulated w/ polyethylene. I’m going to try all solid core wire and am in the process of ordering bulk wire from Paul at Anticables to make my own XLR cables. In the past, I’ve taken @atmasphere Ralph Karsten’s (much appreciated) advice to try Mogami for XLR... and that any quality wire in an XLR implementation is going to get the job done. I’ve been using Mogami 2549 (22awg) for XLR into my Ayre VX-5 Twenty. When I tried 25 year old Vampire OCC Unbalanced / RCA cables into the amp, I found them soft compared to the Mogami 2549 via XLR. Could have been the wire... could have been the input... could have been both.
So...been using and like...
1) Quality, Solid Core wire in Polyethylene insulation... not Teflon or PVC.
2) Mogami 2549. The Mogami has polyethylene insulation with a PVC outer jacket.
As mentioned, I am going to make XLR cables out of 17awg Anticable bulk wire. The same wire that is used to make the 4.2 Anticable speaker cables. They will be combined with Anticable 4.2 speaker cables for "all solid core wire" for XLR interconnects and speaker cables in the system.
By the way... the wire linked to earlier in this thread... the green jacketed cable... that looks much like my Vampire Wire AI-II OCC interconnects... even size of the text on them. This is what they look like at 25yrs old... I bought these directly from Stuart at Vampire Wire in Lutz, FL.
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No , thank you. Anything from that web site.
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Finding good synergy takes research, experimentation and time. Arguing over production techniques, materials, cryo, etc. just becomes an arbitrary rabbit hole. If you find some cables that make the right difference for your system and circumstances, it makes the right difference for YOUR system and circumstances. Exorbitantly priced cables do not guarantee anything, even for a high priced and resolving system. Maybe it eeks-out that last 2%? But how can that be relevant when you’ve got a capable enough and balanced system where you already find yourself deeply engaged in the music to begin with.
If the materials, shielding, terminations and construction process (and qc) are of a high enough standard, then it’s got the capability to sound good in your system. It’s then a matter of trial to determine if it brings what you’d like sonically. Not to mention, there will always be a bit of a trade off (regardless of price level). Just need to determine if you’re willing to trade more of one characteristic aspect over the other. Nod to @erik_squires 🙏🏼
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Magnuman,
I've only found the Neotech rectangular cable available for interconnects, which I've not gotten around to. Right now building speaker and power cables
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advice to try Mogami for XLR... and that any quality wire in an XLR implementation is going to get the job done. I’ve been using Mogami 2549 (22awg) for XLR into my Ayre VX-5 Twenty.
@jim2 Just for the record that wasn't exactly my advice. My advice was that if you gear supports AES48 then you likely will hear little or no difference at all between cables as long as the cable is built correctly.
The Mogami is a good quality studio cable and compared to cables around today is really inexpensive. It also uses polyethylene dielectrics (not PVC- that is only used for the jacket).
I don't know if the Ayre preamp supports AES48 or not but the RCA outputs along with the XLR output suggests it does not. You'd have to ask them to know.
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I call horse crap here…there are some respectable bargains around but the great stuff is gonna cost you!
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@atmasphere
@jim2 Just for the record that wasn’t exactly my advice. My advice was that if you gear supports AES48 then you likely will hear little or no difference at all between cables as long as the cable is built correctly.
The Mogami is a good quality studio cable and compared to cables around today is really inexpensive. It also uses polyethylene dielectrics (not PVC- that is only used for the jacket).
I don’t know if the Ayre preamp supports AES48 or not but the RCA outputs along with the XLR output suggests it does not. You’d have to ask them to know.
Ralph, there is a switch on the back of the VX-5 Twenty amp for switching between Balanced and RCA. "Zero Feedback" and "Fully Balanced Differential Circuitry" are fundamental to Ayre equipment. I did mention the insulation on the Mogami is PE and the jacket is PVC.
Perhaps you remember this interaction you had with the late Charlie Hansen of Ayre regarding "Balanced"? You referred to him as one of the great Solid State designers. The "Ralph" he mentioned here to is you...
I presume you're both doing it right.
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@dave_b
I call horse crap here…there are some respectable bargains around but the great stuff is gonna cost you!
That’s the mental gymnastics they’re counting on... and following thru with it may be expensive, but it will help some sleep at night, and resolve various skin conditions.
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Ok Jimmy 1 or 2…no one is forcing you or me to buy any particular product. Be happy with whatever you choose and realize that you are not the harbinger of enlightenment you think you are.
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@dave_b
Ok Jimmy 1 or 2…no one is forcing you or me to buy any particular product. Be happy with whatever you choose and realize that you are not the harbinger of enlightenment you think you are.
It clearly says "Jim2"... "Jim1" is the truly enlightened One. "Jim1" is when I drink a lot of water. "Jim2" is when I drink coffee in the morning. I can assure you I seek to be happy... I also try to avoid deluding myself.
What I have learned is this... when "it’s right", you know "it’s right"... because it is a VISCERAL reaction to what is being experienced. If something "feel’s off", it’s because it "is off" / "isn’t right".
Recalling how much was spent on a particular thing never really seems to resolve that internal, visceral conflict. Although... I have observed MANY attempt to convince themselves otherwise.
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See, I knew there were 2 of you! The Crap comment was referencing the OP…as for the misplaced tension, affirmation comes to those who are unbiased. Additionally, I did not indicate my reasons or experiences that influenced my outlook on cables, nor did I imply a level of monetary outlay that might be required to achieve an objectively superior result in this most subjective of hobbies.
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Try adding Puron with your modest price cable , you will be surprise how they will be transform to a more good sounding cables..I tried using Pangea pc on my Viva, cobra ic on my cd player to my preamp, then blue jeans speaker cable for my omega rs8.The result I forgot many times , Iam using modest price cables. Puron made me feel , Iam done with cables.
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@jayctoy Pangea has some decent cables, as does Anti-cables, Signal Cable…so many choices for conventional designs. My personal experience ( from Fulton to present) emphasizes the obvious superiority of certain cable designs over others, but may be subjectively preferred or not, depending on individual systems matching and musical biases.
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See Jim 1 (or 2) how easy it is to get along and share information.
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I did mention the insulation on the Mogami is PE and the jacket is PVC.
@jim2 Sorry- somehow I missed that. Thanks for the blast from the past about feedback. The reason zero feedback is used is to prevent distortion rising with frequency. But if you have enough Gain Bandwidth Product in the design, you can do that with feedback also. Amps that could do the latter did not exist before about 2000 or so and if they were around that long ago they were very rare.
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@dave_b meet my (now) good buddy @dave_b
@dave_b
"I call horse crap here…there are some respectable bargains around but the great stuff is gonna cost you!"
@dave_b "...nor did I imply a level of monetary outlay that might be required to achieve an objectively superior result in this most subjective of hobbies."
Since we are avoiding any particulars (always handy to remain vague when suggesting it’s "gonna cost you!")... Can we get a clue? What do you think? Can we get this done for about Tree Fiddy? What’s an example of the "it’s gonna cost you!" stuff, since very clearly you're saying "great" means "it's gonna cost you!"?
To that point, Mogami is very economical. (Sounds good too). So far I like the Anticables stuff too. See, we’re buds.
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@atmasphere
I don’t know if the Ayre preamp supports AES48 or not but the RCA outputs along with the XLR output suggests it does not. You’d have to ask them to know.
The Ayre VX-5 Twenty with the switches I referenced is my amp. I have an Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp. You have me curious and I’ll ask them about that. Good guys over there.
I’ve read you mentioning that AES48 standard and if it wasn’t clear, I appreciate you taking the time to share all of that info / perspective about balanced cables / "properly balanced" equipment. I suspect you’ve also helped others... and you’ll never know about it. Many with knowledge don’t bother taking the time to share it and help others.
Thank you.
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@sudnh Thanks for the recommendation! I received my pair of ATAUDIO RCA cables last week, and currently evaluating them. I have very modest cables in my system, so any improvement to my ears will be greatly appreciated. And for the price of two pints of beer one can’t go wrong :)
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@knownothing Also appreciate your recommendations. Would you consider Audiomeca and Xangsane reliable vendors? I don’t mind experimenting with “unknown to me” vendors as long as they design their own products and build them with good materials and workmanship.
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@classic8
Would you consider Audiomeca and Xangsane reliable vendors?
Yes, that has been my experience.
kn
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I have made references to PC Triple Wire used as a Signal Path in quite a few thread on the Gon.
This wire as a Signal Path and Power Cord has made very good impressions.
It is becoming harder to source as a Wire only, and Cables produced using it will be the easiest way to experience it in use.
Do not take seriously, anyone who has not experienced the wire in use in comparison to OCC, especially in their own system. Where the suggestion is both wires are very similar.
PC Triple C as signal wire, at certain interfaces show OCC to have a very easy to perceive impression of being veiling and muddy. At others the OCC will be less obvious for adding colouration, bit proper evaluation with unearth its presence.
PC Triple C will be the selected wire over OCC.
Triple C draws the curtains wide open, along with being with much cleaner boots.
I mix Triple C and D.U.C.C Wire when I want to add a hint of a Rich Tone, the D.U.C.C adds a Gin Clear experience of a Rich Tone, a little underpinning weight with no perceivable colour.
Also important not to overlook the value that low eddy RCA Phono Connectors can add to the good impression that can be made.
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@classic8
Hi, how did your listening experiment go for the Ataudio cables?
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@sudnh Thanks for checking with me! I haven't done a very good evaluation so far. My initial (and subjective) impression was that they were very similar to my Morrow MA4 cables. After several days of listening I replaced them with the Morrows, and I maybe heard better treble definition with the Morrows. Unfortunately it is a pain to swap cables with my setup, and I still want to do a better evaluation. This is funny, and I broke my ground rule of not buying cables that are clearly knock-offs; I didn't know Ortofon was an actual brand, so I guess these cables are knock-offs of some Ortofon cable :)
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@sudnh The last couple of nights I did some testing, and the results of my subjective evaluation is that the Ataudio cables sound fuller with more bass; the Morrow MA4 have a bit more detail (FYI my Morrow cables have the less expensive RCA plugs). Overall very happy with these Ataudio cables, and if I had to choose I would pick them over the MA4s. Again, this is based on my subjective impressions with my equipment, ears, room, etc.
I ordered the 2 power cables @knownothing suggested, and they should arrive within the next 2 weeks.
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I am lately very impressed with the Mogami bi-wire speaker cables. I was using older Audience AU24 single wire, which is my go to cable, but I wanted to try a bi-wired cable and after a few weeks, I’m hearing surprisingly good things. Jury is still out, but I think the Mogamis are very good. BTW, I got them from Performance Audio with right angle bananas on the speaker side so they fit nice and flat against the speaker. They do very nice work.
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@dave_b
Don’t disagree overall. When it comes to electronics bargain units that hang in there with good high priced components are quite rare. Its often the unit is overpriced compared to its nearby competition.
But with cables? Yes the top end stuff is amazing that I have heard but is unobtainium for most of us including me.
I play in the $1500 to $2000 per run for cables. To find a low priced (sub $100) cable that hangs in there is a good find and plausible since there isn’t a mountain of electronics circuitry and assembly involved. In fact it is most likely these low priced manufacturers have got their hands on high quality cables and connectors which don’t cost very much to make but with high end manufacturers you are paying for their IP.
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OK, wow, gotta agree with the OP. Mine finally arrived a few ago and have fully broken in now. Holy S***! $80 total including shipping and I'm stunned. My system never sounded this good.
Easily outperforms my Heimdall 2 and for 98% less.
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Had a chance to get my hands on a used pair of one of my old favorites from MIT, the AVT 1 RCA Interconnects. Used them in one of my systems many years ago and had fond “visceral “ memories of how great they sounded. They are absolutely phenomenal sounding in every respect…musical, dynamic, dimensional!! Jim2 would be proud of me 🥹
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Simply the best speaker cable bar none: Townshend DCT Isolda.
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bar none is a big universe…… likely not
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