Maintaining a "Balanced" System Design?

@thr1961 

First off- Congratulations on your new Audio Research gear! I use ARC as well and I’m sure it will bring you many years of enjoyment. In reading your post regarding interconnects I don’t think you mentioned what brands you’re currently using.

As for a gauge of how much you should spend I don’t believe you should be putting any pressure on yourself to align cable/IC costs with that which was spent on your equipment, the two don’t even compare with regards to manufacturing costs or even research/dev/IP.

I’m not an advocate of overpriced designer cables but I also don’t shame those who choose to spend their money on such. What I would offer is an easy way of determining the value for yourself. 

Canare L-4E6S is one of the best audio cables made (Star Quad) and you can purchase an 8’ pair of balanced XLR I/C’s for under $100 from Blue Jeans Cable. I’ve used this for all of my balanced cable for years and have never felt like I was needing more. This is one of the most (if not the most) highly used cables in the audio industry.

The purpose of this is not necessarily to sway you into using Canare but to rather give you a starting point with an industry proven cable assembly that is the equivalent of what is used in most recording studio and live sound applications. Please purchase a pair to have on hand for comparison when you demo the multi thousand dollar I/C’s your dealer has suggested and also request your dealer make the cables available to you for a trial test in home on your own equipment.

Even if you like the higher dollar cables better at least you’ll have an accurate gauge for cost comparison. Do these really sound $1K better each or is the difference so subtle that it’s not really worth the money? Do they sound different at all? That’s the big question! 
Also- don’t EVER allow yourself to feel like you’re system is subpar because it’s not  not sporting the high level “bling” that some will say matters- it’s how it sounds that matters most.

Best-

If you are interested I can send you a pair of 6 foot reference speaker cables for you to try in your system.  Then you will have an idea if they will impact your sound.  We build refence components and we do not use expensive cables at all and we get them at dealer cost!

If you look at your system as a whole, if your music collection doesn't significantly outweigh the outlay on gear, you're missing the point.  (Of course in this day of diminishing physical media, maybe it's a case of money for nothin' and your tunes for (almost) free)

OP,

If you are considering a speaker option change then definitely do not move forwards with cables and interconnects until you have your final destination speakers.

Typically in an upgrade cycle one will choose speakers first… then work on the upstream components to support them. Once all the components are in place then work on wires. The good news is you have chosen world class components so now it is a matter of finding speakers that are emotionally appealing to you. Your upstream equipment will make the most of them.

Thr1961,

I agree on the upgrade path, the best improvements I found were with power cables, then speaker cables, then interconnects. I am testing several power cords righrt now, so I can't yet give you a final recommendation...but the Morrow Audio MAP4 and Zafino Majestic are the leaders in the clubhouse.

I have found GREAT success with Morrow Audio analog interconnects (RCA and XLR) nterconnects, and digital 75 Ohm RCA. They punch way above their cost, and right now they have a 40% sale. These are amazing value for the sound quality I've found

USB cables are Supra Excalibur, and ethernet is Audioquest Vodka cables

Suggestions: Start with the MA4 or DIG4 level and go up from there, and absolutely get the cable burn in service....the 20 day break in service is $99, and is a one time charge that covers all cables purchased...not per cable. They have a 60 day return policy, but only after 30 days; meaning you need to try them for 30 days before returning the cables.

Currently "rolling" the Zafino Fusion and Arcadia interconnects, great value but not sure if there is an improvement over the Morrow cables.

Speaker cables are currently Anti-Cables Flex 4.2 cables, but am testing the GR-Research 24 strand speaker cables as well. They are meant as DIY, but Danny will assemble them for an additional fee.

As you can see all of my recommendations are cables that are affordable, but provide great SQ.....great bang for the buck