2. cables
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New cables...

Greetings,

I'm new to the forum, at least in so far as posting goes, but I have used it for reviews in the past.  I recently made an equipment upgrade, and hence decided to do the same to the cables.  I'm not sure if I notice a difference, other than the money that is no longer in my bank account.  First, the back ground.

My last speakers were a pair of Sonos Faber Venere 2.5, which were hooked up to a NAD M3 amp.  When I first paired these pieces of equipment, I was using 3 meter length, High Diamond 2 cables, bi-wired (2 pairs of cables, hooked up to the four pairs of terminals on the amp).  The rest of the pieces in the system were the NAD M5 SACD player, the NAD M4 tuner and the Gold Note PH10 phono preamp.  My turn table remains the impressive Acoustic Solid 111 Metal placed on top of their dedicated isolation platform, and paired with their WTB213 tone arm and fitted with the Benz Micro Wood L cartridge.  The interconnects that I was using were High Diamond 2 RCA on the SACD player and the Tuner and Cardas Iridium RCA on the phono stage.  Initially, I was using the stock power cables for everything, plugged into a run of the mill, $20 hardware store power bar.  At some point in that systems' history, I upgraded the speaker cables to the Cardas Parsec bi-wired (also 3 meter), and bought a Cardas Iridium power cord for the M3 amp.  To be sure, I noticed an improved difference in the sound, which I attributed to the Cardas speaker cables, more than anything, though it may have also had something to do with the Iridium phono interconnect as well..

Fast forward to this past fall, and I came into some money so I decided to upgrade the speakers to the Sonus Faber Olympica III speakers, the Simaudio Moon 700i V2 amp, and the Simaudio Moon 650D CD transport and DAC.  Initially, I kept all of the cables and power bar the same. They remained in place from October 2019, until yesterday.  I think that time frame gave me plenty of time to get to know the sound of the system, and for everything to get broken in.  

Yesterday, I decided that with the obvious jump in improvement with the three pieces, I should take the plunge and upgrade the cables and power bar as well.  I purchased Cardas' Clear Cygnus 3 meter, bi-wired speaker cables, two 1 meter Clear Cygnus interconnects, one RCA for the phono stage and one XLR for the CD transport, two Clear Cygnus 1 metre power cables, one for the amp, and one to connect the impressive Cardas Nautilus power strip to the wall.  The Cardas Iridium power cable that I previously had was moved to the 650D CD Transport, and I used the stock power cable that came with the 700i V2 amp for the NAD M4 tuner.  

What has surprised me most, is that lack of difference in overall sound that I have noticed.  To be clear, those cables and power strip cost $8000CDN, plus tax!!! (inset appropriate emoji here).  Is it my ears?

Regards, Jared Purdy
128x128jaredpurdy
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,278 posts
 

Get 200hrs of signal thru the new cables then re-evaluate. Sometimes the difference is more apparent when you go from best to worst and you realize what you’re missing.

Also, few additional items to consider-

1. bad room acoustics will mask differences between cables and even between components. Any reflective surfaces like tiled floors, windows on the side of the speakers…anything that will cause the sound to bounce or create slap echo will impact what you are able to hear.

2. speaker placement and listening chair position relative to speakers - if not properly setup it will negatively impact your system performance and will most likely negate any gains possible with cable upgrades. 

soix
8,726 posts
 

Yeah, I’d give them around 200 hours to really settle in, and then if you still have them put the old cables back in and see what you think (let the old cables settle in for a few minutes before serious listening).  I’d think you’d hear a meaningful difference, but whether it’s better or worse, well, that’s cables for ya.  I’m betting you’ll be pleased though. 

williewonka
3,071 posts
 

@jaredw03 - I’m afraid it’s a bit late to ask qiestions after a purchase, because the answers may not contain good news.

You’ve probably done some due dillicence in looking for cables based on reputation and price, but this is where the cable industry throws you a curve ball, unless you really know what to look for in a good cable, they can baffle you with "science"

Fact is, most cables do not deliver amazing results unless you really know what to look for.

Take a look at this thread, which provides some basic info on modern cable design approaches.

It covers modern design approaches by top cable brands

You’ll see three brands that I recommend, of varying budgets - all three will deliver noticeable improvements in any system.

One other thing to be wary of - High Capacitance speaker cables can drive high current solid state designs to a point of failure, especially if you are using low impedance speakers - so choose your speaker cables wisely

  • e.g. TOTL Cardas speaker cables have very high levels of capacitance

Good luck with your quest

Regards - Steve.

 

classicrockfan
91 posts
 

new wire break in, about the break in period, believe the break-in period for cables to be in the 100 hour range, 150 hours of use and non-movement of all cabling for the system to settle in, for cable breakin. 150-200hrs is somewhat standard, 200hrs of signal thru the new cables, give them around 200 hours to really settle in..

Good team work. So you trolls don't use 'burn-in' anymore that's an improvement. 

 

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