recommended speaker cables and interconnects

"jpmanomet" is right on target with Mogami.  For interconnect cable I recommend the W2549 matched with the Neutrik NF2CB RCA's.  The Mogami W2549 is a microphone cable with 2 jacketed conductors made of ofc.

The soldering required for the neutrik nf2cb rca's is not easy as you have to solder the braided ground before the 2 conductors to the center cup.  You could opt for the Rean  Neutrik NYS352G Gold RCA's that use a satisfying/satisfactory crimp for the ground.

Once broken in, these cables are stunning and deliver the goods!

Since I am a Transparent user look at the following depending on budget

Transparent Music Wave Plus $$

Transparent Music Wave Super $$$

Transparent Music Wave Ultra $$$$

After Ultra it might be the point of diminishing returns. I currently have Ultra but upgrade from Music Wave Plus and then to Super via their upgrade program. If I were to describe the sound of the Transparent cables in my system it would be warm, full bodied or lush. For what is is worth I have been a Transparent customer since 1997.

Cables are very subjective and that is OK. The most important thing is you like the sound in your system. See if you can borrow some for a few days in your system at home. This is what I did. 

Are there other Straightwire users here? I visited one of the DC area dealers that carried the brand, which I was not familiar with, and spoke highly of them. Pricing even for the highest end Crescendo seems rather reasonable vs the Transparent which he also carried. Sound was good, but his room and system.

I’ve tested many in-home demo cables with my Gryphon Diablo 300 and my B&W 803 D2’s, including medium and high end options from AudioQuest, Nordost, Clarus and others. Cables most definitely can make a system sound “right”, or can make things sound totally off.

For a medium range very high value speaker cable, I highly recommend the Clarus Crimson (I’m using the biwire version). I would say the same as others and pro reviewers - very engaging, musical, very good bass, and so forgiving of various electronics. Not the last word in speed but not bad either. I also purchased the Clarus Crimson high current power cord, but I’m not so impressed with that cord (boring, constrained).

After testing Dragon and Firebird cables from AudioQuest, I wasn’t impressed. Not bad but also I didn’t get that sense of cohesion.

For the last word in the most perfect speaker wire I could find, it was the Nordost Valhalla 2’s. These were just awesome. Super fast, warm and neutral, and just does as little as possible to the signal. I just placed an order for these after being happy with my Clarus Crimson’s for a few years. I do think that if you are not trying to correct problems with the tone of your electronics with speaker cables, which I don’t recommend, Valhalla 2’ speaker cables are the last you will ever need. Unless you can afford the Odin’s, which I can’t! The Valhalla’s do so little to the signal that I think if you are happy with your signal chain electronics, I would guess that the Valhalla 2’s would suit just about any gear.

Of note, while the mid and high range of the Valhalla 2 power cord was the most exquisite I’ve heard, I also found the bass to be missing when compared with other power cords from Transparent and other brands.

One honourable mention goes to the Nordost Frey speaker cables.  These sounded great with excellent timing and a natural cohesive sound with no loss of bass.  They just didn’t have the detail, air, and transparency of the Valhalla 2’s but then again, the Frey’s are a fraction of the price.

Check the Internet for Zavfino. I am very pleased with their products.