Best Silver ICs under 300?

Oh... if I was going to answer your actual question though I would guess the Homegrown. I don't own a pair but I've had their Super Silvers in my system with pleasing results. I'm going to order a pair of the Silver Laces to compare with some homebrew cables I've been building and testing....

Make your own solid silver interconnects for under $50!! Check out Greg Weaver's article "Silver Signal Tape" at www.soundstage.com/synergize/synergize021998.htm. He describes how to make an interconnect similar in design to Mapleshade's that blew away more expensive competition. At this inexpensive price, it's worth building a pair or 2 if you posess basic soldering skills and a couple hours of time. He ordered 220 feet of 30 gauge ("thinner is better") solid silver wire for $23.10 from Myron Toback, Inc. in NYC. Their phone is 212-398-8300. I haven't built a pair yet, but I plan to and at less than $50, how can you go wrong? At least you would have an interconnect that you could use in auditioning new cables in your system prior to purchase. Good Luck!

Try Alpha Core's Purl @ $127/m

A critical factor in buying and assembling DIY cable is the surface smoothness of the wire (as well as purity, which is not unusual to be overclaimed without certification).

You may be able to buy a roll of silver wire quite inexpensively, but the surface may not be well polished, and you could end up with rough, grainy sound. This is especially sensitive with silver, as it's very revealing. You might explore hand polishing techniques if building your own from spooled wire.

Jeff

BEAR Labs now has a website partially up, with some specials. http://www.bearlabsusa.com