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Best Budget RCA cables

Hi guys,

What is your go-to budget/inexpensive RCA cable recommendation ($30-$50)? Would there be an appreciable difference between this interconnect and $6 Kabeldirekt cables?  The Kabeldirekt RCAs sound pretty great to my ears!

Thanks!
Lee
leemaze
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Ah, in response to your question, I would say that there would be a definite difference.  The Kabeldirekt may look very nice and even use OFC oxygen free copper, but they are likely using a very thin stranded conductor.

The Kimber cables have their own sound and it may be a nice configuration.  The Hero uses their vari-strand (putting about 7 strands of different gauges in a grouping).

I have always been a fan of solid-core cables (Pangea / Audioquest).  The sound is usually stronger and more solid sounding (no pun intended) than a stranded conductor.

Probably any of these cables would be an upgrade. 

213runnin
914 posts
 
Here’s a third recommendation for solid core based cables. The OP doesn’t mention his gear, but it looks like he at least has a Marantz integrated.

Morrow Audio MA1 would be under the budget, as would Audioquest Evergreens. But to reap the benefits, all interconnects in the system need to be solid core. I’d suggests solid core cable for the speaker cable too. Audioquest Type 4 or Morrow Audio SP1.
rotarius
431 posts
 
Belden 8402, various sellers on ebay.
Wireworld Luna or Solstice
All of these sound as good as cables that are more expensive.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Wake up, no brainer to buy high quality IC's off ZU on ebay .
sbrownnw
686 posts
 
I like these if you can afford about $80 / pair USD plus shipping.

https://www.takefiveaudio.com/products/1358-mogami-2549-gold-performance-rca-deep-cryo-treated/

I also have the same Mogami 2549 wire with KLEI Copper Harmony RCA terminators.
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