Budget re-cabling


I am considering re-cabling (changing out receiver, SACD player) on the main room system (5.1 and 2.1).

Front: B&W Nautilus 804 Center: B&W HTM61 S2 Rear: temporary Infinity Reference 2 or Dayton 2 way. 

HDMI Oppo 103 to Onkyo TX-RZ810: if critical at all, budget $30 or so?

Cables: new speaker for front/center. 10ft left/right each, 6 ft center (or 25 total). Budget $5-$6 per foot (may consider suggestions up to $10 there is something to gain).

I know this budget is mind bogglingly high (never spent that kind of money on cables, but want to go all out). 

So what are the best speaker cables for way below $10/ft? Good comparison tests (with price in mind)? Maybe comparison with 'DIY' or 'Repurposed' (using commercial cable repurposed for audio)? Links? Read ups? 

 

NOT INTERESTED IN PIXEL DUST and ESOTHERIC CABLES. 

 

 

kraftwerkturbo

These are some of the most reasonably priced excellent performing cables. I've tried a few of the more budget cables (Analysis Plus Oval 12, Canare star quad etc.) and things are system dependent for sure. But I ended up going back to the Anticables Level 2.1 solid core 12g cables, and have found a sweet spot with them in my current setup. Also using some of their interconnects now too (mid level 3.1 ICs and 3.2 dig) with the best result so far. Replacing some that were more expensive. They have a higher end lines too, but these work very very well. I lurk here a lot and haven't posted in ages, but when I saw this post I was compelled to chime in not seeing any mention of them. You got some other good suggestions too, but these are so reasonable and damn good performing (190 bucks for 10ft pair with good banana plugs). Worth the experiment. Good luck

https://anticables.com/speaker-wires/2-channel#!/Level-2-1-Speaker-Wires/p/14618506/category=3449817

Personally, I really do not like 4S11's. They got me on the path to smaller is better. I much prefer Blue Jeans, but am not really a fan. I have found the Mogami to be very dependable and neutral; there is a reason they are used so widely in recording studios. If you are going the DIY route, I have found some absolutely outstanding stuff by stalking eBay for mil-spec airplane application cables. For me, the tin-plated are good and silver-plated are better. I have used them on and off for years. I am about to re-wire a room and found over 100' of cable on a spool for $50. It's leftover from the big reel, and I picked it up for $50. This is $5 per foot cable new. Narrow gauge, twisted, double shielded, quality copper, silver plated and teflon wrapped. Very low capacitance and resistance. I barely tip the wire with solder to keep the strands orderly and use the bare wire. On my systems, it is clear and not harsh. It may not work for you, but it is an inexpensive experiment. Forces you to look up a lot of specs to see what the basics of wire look like.(And yes, I believe there is "magic" in some wire. I also use some Zu cabling. It is almost as good - and is much prettier.)

This may be the first intelligent post on cables on AG ever.

I use these and like the sound and look: https://a.co/d/5lFo4TS

Full disclosure, i am a science guy more than alchemy/marketing.

As a science guy who does not believe in pixel dust and magic, you are severely disqualified in the audiophile world (speaking from experience, I am an engineer). You will probably never build your own power plant to make clean power, or plunk down $500 per foot for some speaker wire. 

 

@kraftwerkturbo I won’t be arguing with you if you say cables don’t make any difference and I won’t even ask the question why you decided to shop for new cables if there’s no difference, but I will make a recommendation.

Canare 4S11. Get it in bulk from BlueJeans cables with connectors of your choice (something like Viborg from amazon) and build it. Or just have BlueJeans build you a pair. While at it, their interconnects are also excellent. I built a new pair of speaker cables using the 4S11 with locking bananas from amazon for my marantz receiver and they sound great. Doubt you could do much better for your money. They’re good quality cables.