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Speaker Cables Upgrade - Which Ones?

I'm upgrading my speaker cable for my Harbeth C7es-3 speakers. My power amp would be Pass Labs XA30.5.

Not sure it it matters but my pre-amp could be one of these: Audio Research LS 26, Ref 3, CJ ET 3, Leben CS28, Pass Labs XP10.

I'm looking for tight, dynamic bass, neutral/slight warm and medium to full body mid range and extended/smooth treble.

What cables would you recommend? My budget would be around 1k - new or used. What about Audience 24e, Cardas, Auditorium 23, Purist Audio, Acoustic Zen Sologram II? How do they compare in terms of 'sound'?

I appreciate your feedbacks.
r0817
r0817 OP
55 posts
 
Anyone yet? Thanks.
meiwan
399 posts
 
Cardas and Purist both have a warm midrange and weighty bottom end, slightly rolled off up top. Not a good match for Harbeth.

Audience and Auditorium are pretty much the opposite, lean through the mids and bottom with an open detailed top end. Of the two I prefer Auditorium as it is more refined. But best suited if you are using a tube power amp.

AZ is a nice neutral cable, my preference for SS power.

I have used them all with Harbeth C7s.
jperry
2,433 posts
 
Per Alan Shaw:

Harbeth speakers do not need fancy cable. Anything available that is reasonably thick will work OK. 5A electrical flex will get you going. Simple, un-cool standard flex is all you need. Avoid exotic cables with strange electrical characteristics.

You will note that despite numerous requests over the years Harbeth does not 'make' fancy speaker cable. I've been told that we could 'charge what we like - if it has the Harbeth name on it people with queue up for it at any price'. So why haven't we offered it? We just don't believe in it.
fingerpaws
51 posts
 
I was very impressed by Tellurium Q black speaker cables. A ten foot length cost $500, and their claim to fame is in their clarity. I did feel I could hear lyrics better. Not easy to find, but it looks like 300 ohm antenna cable--thin and flat. I would still use it but I need 8 meters of cable now and I ordered River Cable. We will see.
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