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Your "Budget Cable" recommendations, please......

Hello all,

I'm formerly of the opinion that all of these expensive cables are a bunch of hocus pocus. Now I'm convinced that some are and some aren't. The only problem is...I don't know which are and which aren't.

I'm now ready to take the plunge and buy some better cables. Don't get me wrong, I'm still not prepared to spend huge $$$ on the stuff, but I'd like to at least get something that is noticably better.

Here's my system:

CDP = Ah Tjoeb '99
Pre = Forte Model 2
Amp = Forte Model 4
Spk = Magnepan 1.6/QR (should arrive next week!)

I'm currently using some old MIT Terminator 4 RCAs and Monster Z2 Bi-wire speaker cables.

I was thinking about Nordost SuperFlatline Gold speaker cables and maybe some Blue Heaven RCAs. It seems as though Nordost is fairly well respected and is probably not complete hocus pocus.

I need your help...Please!! I don't have time to go out and "listen" to interconnects and I don't want to walk blindly into this.

Thanks so much!
danheather
rlb61
745 posts
 
is to go with a full DH Labs set up. Get Q-10 speaker cable (bi-wired) and Air Matrix interconnects. I've tried LOTS of cables (including really expensive Transparents) and I've settled on the DH Labs. Sound is fabulous. Lots of air around the instruments. Extremely tight and full bass from the Q-10. I've found that there's a certain synergy that exists between speaker cable and ICs from the same company. Whatever you go with, I'd recommend that all cabling be from the same manufacturer.

In addition to the DH Labs cables, my rig is:

Cary CD 303/200
Musical Fidelity A3cr preamp
Musical Fidelity A300cr power amp (225 wpc)
Nakamichi DR-8 tape deck
B&W N804 speakers (bi-wired)
Sound Anchors stands
Rotel RLC-900 AC Line Conditioner
PS Audio Ultimate Outlet (high current)
Harmonic Technology Pro-11 AC power cords

GOOD LUCK!
blackie
221 posts
 
Also check out Audioquest Coral which is a great sounding cable for the money ($130 1m pair).
abstract7
541 posts
 
I was going to suggest some of the discontinued Audioquest cables. Ruby is about in line with the Coral and can be had for $50 for a 1 meter pair. Quartz and Opal are really very good and would probably be the choice for your system. You should be able to get these in under $100 (even $80-85) for a pair. Every now and then I see an emerald at $100 a pair. This is really a great cable, and for some applications I actually like it a bit better than the Lapis. I use Lapis in my reference system and a combination of Emerald and other cables in my family room system.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
The Blue Heaven are a nice cable for what they cost. I personally do not care for those Super Flatline speaker cables.

Check the demo/clearance page at Audio Advisor. They always have some nice stuff there and they have a 30 day trial period to return it. They also have good prices on new Audioquest, Straightwire, XLO, Cardas, Kimber, Wireworld and Analysis Plus. The clearance link is:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/closeoutlist.asp?All=1


What looks good on clearance is:
12 ft pair Audioquest Slate (the new version) $199.
8 ft pair Audioquest CV-4 $119.
8 ft Kimber 8VS $119.
2 Meter Wireworld Atlantis III $199.
8 ft Wireworld Oasis III $149.


Also go to USEDCABLE.COM and take your pick. Huge selection, and I think they have a demo/return policy also. The link is:
http://www.usedcable.com/

danheather OP
108 posts
 
Thanks all. Anybody else have feedback about/experience with the Nordost SuperFlatline stuff?

Keep it coming. I'm making a list.

-Dan
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