XLR cable recommendations needed

Jessie @ Pine tree audio

Wireworld Eclipse , 6-9s Copper , lowest dielectric , and silver copper connectors 

,not brass like most. Under $500 and Litz separate conductors so no conductor interacting between strands.

Audioman2015,

In your price range I'd look at Zavfino or Morrow Audio. Zavfino have both OOC copper (Arcadia) and silver/copper (Fusion) versions to consider. I also am a big fan of Morrow Audio cables, but only the MA4 level and higher cables.....they currently have a 55% off sale (code CH55, they always have sales), which would put a pair of MA4s under $200. Make sure to break in the cables, My Zavfino took over 100 hours, and the Morrow's were about 200.....though you can have them burn them in for you.

If your listening room is in an RF-rich environment, you may find that a shield is desirable, and that the quality of the shield is paramount. I use Canare L-4E6S microphone cable.

I have been using and recommending Stager's pure silver cables for over ten years. The are a no-compromise high-end design sold directly by Marc Stager and made to order. The savings are considerable given no wholesale or dealer markups, and no-frills packaging.

There are loads of user comments and reviews, several so positive that the reviewers kept the review samples, bought at full price.

You can learn more for your yourself at the silver solids website,
Stager Silver Solids Pure Silver High-End Audio Cables

 

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audioman2015 OP 99 posts 07-08-2023 at 03:35pm  Thanks for everyone’s input. Ive settled on trying some pure occ silver cables. These will be my first all silver cables so it will be a learning experience.

Which is? Brand? Model?

Thanks for everyone’s input. Ive settled on trying some pure occ silver cables. These will be my first all silver cables so it will be a learning experience.

I also highly recommend the Zavfino Fusion cables. They are in your price range and are very popular with Audiogon members. Do a search and you will find a long thread about them. I have 3-4 pairs myself.

Zavfino offers a blended silver and OCC copper cable:

https://zavfinousa.com/products/the-fusion-solid-pure-silver-occ-copper-hybrid-rca?variant=19443396116598
 

haven’t tried them, but might be worth a look. 

@audioman2015

I understand your logic. Cheap silver cables “OK”, but new more expensive cables without silver lack in the higher frequencies therefore I need silver.. and if cable is also “better” my system should sound more “OK”.

Others here are more knowledgeable than myself, but I believe that most top manufactures design their cables to be neutral and quiet. To quote one of the more experienced members here:

Your system is an active variable in what sounds best.

Which is why I suggested that you post your system. I just have a bit of a nagging question as to what about your system makes you think that you need silver? Will you be using silver for your speaker cables? There is a major gap between a system sounding OK and sounding really great and I wonder if silver in the interconnect can do that.  I’m not suggesting that better cables are a bad move.  You want a cable that when you upgrade your other components, the cable doesn’t “filter” what is heard.

I use the following XLR cables for connecting a Schiit Modius to a Schiit Lokius tone control to a Schiit Jotunheim and they work quite well. For what it’s worth, I have owned fancier silver audio cables and could never hear a difference. Of course this is all subjective.

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-Microphone-Feet/dp/B00KO8VYMG/ref=asc_df_B00KO8VYMG?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80676757987991&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=t&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276305189721&psc=1

https://www.vogueaudio.com

If you want 100% 5N silver go to Lavricables.com

Audio Art sells silver plated copper exclusively.I've bought from them in the past. DH Labs as mentioned above is a good choice also.

I also thought of Juan @blisshifi , great guy to work with, highly recommended.

I would definitely try DHLabs. In that price range they are excellent. 
 

I would not confine yourself to a single parameter (overall material comp). Really cheap ones tend to sound like their material… but well thought out, high quality ones will get their sound from overall construction… not just the conductor.

Also you might try the cable company. Lending library, and used go at 1/2 price. I would look to spend the most wisely. Sticking with a lower budget my simply buy little improvement. You want to feel whatever you get, easily justifies the cost. Your system is an active variable in what sounds best.

Thanks for bringing my attention to this thread, @vonhelmholtz. I was just thinking of you this morning, so we must be on the same wavelength.

@audioman2015 - Definitely look at the DH Labs Air Matrix Cryo. A 1M should fall within your budget and this cable beats many others in the $1500+ range.

https://silversonic.com/products/interconnects/air-matrix-cryo/

I am a dealer for it and can give you more info on it if you have interest. I’ll message you direct shortly. As Gary mentions, I’d be happy to field any questions you have, even outside of the cable I mention.

@audioman2015

Is there such a thing as a universally good sounding cable independent of which components are used? None of my XLR cables are silver and I haven’t heard any complaints regarding “the high end”. Using the cable as a filter might better be handled by using a vendor that allows returns. There are some very knowledgeable sales people that can be useful in this regard. Great sales advice and a reasonable return policy served me well for all power, analog and digital cables. My sales person cheered me on and was a wealth of information. Some members/dealers such a @blisshifi that is Juan, is another resource that I have relied upon for advice and for supplying me with some incredible components. There are other members with decades of experience that can be depended upon for advice, but all of this would be facilitated if you could post your system under your profile.