Low to Mid grade cables for new LSiM703's? (Current ones are homebuilt)

polrbehr

ZenDawgg wrote: »

I believe I just sold a band-saw that I don't use for $400. Sold to a guy at work and I'm letting him go with a payment plan. Probably should put some of that towards the CC portion of the 703's though.

Is that another name for Emotiva that I haven't heard yet?












Sorry, the angry little guy on my shoulder made me say that
The happy little guy on the other shoulder is laughing though so what does he know...

ZenDawgg

Sorry...

I posted that in a rush as I just walked in the door after work.

What I really meant was:

What MIT IC cable series would work well with my S3 AVT3S?

I will probably being buying these used and just wanted to know what to keep an eye out for.

Thanks.

Nightfall

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIT-AVT-3-RCA-interconnect-Cables-1m-Pair-USED-/291675110422?hash=item43e930fc16:g:s-oAAOSwL7VWr7is

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIT-AVT3-Interconnect-Cable-in-1-5-Meter-from-RCA-to-RCA-/221987802509?hash=item33af810d8d:g:WGwAAOSwGotWjX18

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIT-AVT3-Interconnect-Cable-in-1-0-Meter-from-RCA-to-RCA-/371152816156?hash=item566a6e881c:g:2sYAAOSw1x1UPIpD

ZenDawgg

So these would be preferred over say AQ Diamondbacks since I have the S3 AVT3S speaker cables?

Thanks for the links.

F1nut

Like any brand, MIT's work best as a system.

ZenDawgg

Thanks.

If I get a set of MIT AVT3 ICs then I can use the diamondbacks on my headphone setup or elsewhere.

gp4jesus

Hey ZenDawg! How about a review on those cables? You've had 2-3 weeks now.

ZenDawgg

gp4jesus wrote: »

Hey ZenDawg! How about a review on those cables? You've had 2-3 weeks now.

Well....I wish I could but since I've only begun my journey of higher quality audio gear I fear I have no idea what I'm listening to/for. Nor have I listened to other high end gear to compare mine with.

When I read others review gear I usually end up scratching my head with an expression .....ah.....what?

Currently I'm only streaming Rhapsody from HTPC via HDMI to an older AVR.

Maybe once I get my P5, good source, some different cables to swap in and out and a couple of hundred listening hours in..... I might be able to intelligently give my impressions.

But I will say that from where I was just 5 weeks ago, my review on my upgrades are: Holy <explicit>!

Jazz, Classical, The Who, Dire Straits, Aerosmith, Steely Dan, Rage Against the Machine, ..... pretty much anything I put on is WoW! Heck I just listened to Flirtn' with Disaster and was amazed. I'm like a little kid in a candy at the moment.

gp4jesus

Listen to familiar/favorites music tracts or movie chapters w/one set of cables then the other.

They'll sound different for sure. Ask yourself: which sounds better? Then post your findings & why.

Tony

RamZet

Look for the MIT AVT# interconnects, that's what I have and they are pretty sweet. They sound just like any other cable, but they really show their worth at mid to high volumes. I don't know what type of black magic they put in that little network box but it works.
I notice the MIT cables I have really handle bass very well.

If you're on a budget I would just order a set (ebay) to go from your pre-amp to your amp for now.

ZenDawgg

RamZet wrote: »

Look for the MIT AVT# interconnects, that's what I have and they are pretty sweet. They sound just like any other cable, but they really show their worth at mid to high volumes. I don't know what type of black magic they put in that little network box but it works.
I notice the MIT cables I have really handle bass very well.

If you're on a budget I would just order a set (ebay) to go from your pre-amp to your amp for now.

What would you consider a good price for used 1m or 1.5m MIT AVT3 IC's? I'm keeping my eye out and there was a 1.5m pair that the guy wanted $85 shipped.

Another part of the equation is that my pre is an older Pioneer AVR....until I can I can afford a P5.

tonyb

I would buy them for 85 bucks, you won't find anything near that price for decent cables. You don't have to go straight for a P5. Parrasound and others make some respectable pre amps on the used markets for a few hundred bucks that will easily outclass an older Pioneer receiver.

ZenDawgg

tonyb wrote: »

I would buy them for 85 bucks, you won't find anything near that price for decent cables. You don't have to go straight for a P5. Parrasound and others make some respectable pre amps on the used markets for a few hundred bucks that will easily outclass an older Pioneer receiver.

Thanks for the info, I will look into the MIT AVT3 ICs if they still are available. I'm still trying to learn the levels MIT cables, an acceptable used price on them and if it would make difference in the gear I have. I guess the AVT3 will be the baseline.

As far as waiting on the P5...that certainly is an option. One the reasons I was going to wait is because this system is actually a dual system, Music, HT/TV and it would just seem easier to have the P5 HT pass through.

But then again, I'm about 90% Music at the moment.

One thing I may try is putting my Headphone DAC in the mix. HTPC -> HRT Music Streamer II -> AVR just to see what the difference is.

What used Parasound pre would you recommend that I keep an eye out for?

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

P3

tonyb

Older 1100 by Parasound. Doesn't have to be by Parasound either, tons of pre amps out there.

ZenDawgg

Won a pair of 1m MIT AVT3 ICs for $54 shipped. Thanks for the links Nightfall.

I'll keep an eye out for an inexpensive, used interim pre amp.

tonyb

what city are you in ?

[Deleted User]

^^^ nice score!

gp4jesus

I'm considering what to do after I've turned off my soldering iron on my system, sooo... Back on February 6th I asked "Hey ZenDawg! How about a review on those cables?"

ZenDawgg wrote: »

...I fear...

"Nothing to fear but fear its self." Franklin D. Roosevelt

ZenDawgg wrote: »

I have no idea what I'm listening to/for.

Differences between your home made versues the MIT AVt3-Series Speaker Cables Interface S3 AVT3S

ZenDawgg wrote: »

...I will say that from where I was just 5 weeks ago, my review on my upgrades are: Holy <explicit>

Well this SOUNDS like a review, but can you be more specific about those cables?

I've re-read this thread only to gather... What else have you upgraded before winning those MIT AVT3 ICs?

Thanks for input, Tony

ZenDawgg

tonyb wrote: »

what city are you in ?

Near State College PA.

ZenDawgg

gp4jesus wrote: »

I'm considering what to do after I've turned off my soldering iron on my system, sooo... Back on February 6th I asked "Hey ZenDawg! How about a review on those cables?"

I will try to write a little something coherent when I get home tonight.

But I've added so much so quickly and I do not have the homemade cables any more so it will all be from memory.

Nightfall

You are welcome.

ZenDawgg

gp4jesus

Like I mentioned, I do not have the homemade cables anymore. I had to wait until I had my HCA 1500A until I could use AVt3’s because the spade connectors wouldn’t work directly on my AVR.

So adding both the amp and the cables seemed to open up the sound. To me they made it sound more 3d and spacious ( I don’t know if there is a proper term for that or not). The mids and bass really benefited from both the amp and speaker wires. How much can I contribute to just the speaker wires? Unknown… (I don’t have the other cables anymore, I gave them to the person I gave the old speakers to).

But for $125 for 2pcs MIT AVt3-Series Speaker Cables Interface biwire S3 AVT3S-12 Feet each, I figured I had nothing to lose.

I’m sure everything together - 703’s, SB-2000, HCA1500A, AVT3’s have something to do with the awesomeness…

Remember, I’m just streaming HTPC -> AVR at the moment. I look forward adding the AVT3 ICs, when I get them. As well as a dedicated pre, and possible good used CD player when I get the funds, I want to compare the stream vs CD. I don’t know if I’ll ever go phono or not.

My upgrade process was:

703’s & SB-2000
Skylan stands
HCA1500A & biwire S3 AVT3S
Diamondback IC’s

MIT AVT 3 RCA ICs – on the way

Future:
P5
CD player


Hopefully this helped a little…Good Luck.

gp4jesus

ZD: Thanks for your heart.

I did not notice (read) you don't have your "home grown" any more. W/out them* for direct comparison you'd have very hard time hearing what makes your MITs different.

* regardless of system configuration

Enjoy! gpJ

ZenDawgg

RamZet wrote: »

Look for the MIT AVT# interconnects, that's what I have and they are pretty sweet. They sound just like any other cable, but they really show their worth at mid to high volumes. I don't know what type of black magic they put in that little network box but it works.
I notice the MIT cables I have really handle bass very well.

If you're on a budget I would just order a set (ebay) to go from your pre-amp to your amp for now.

RamZet - After connecting my MIT AVT3 ICs that I arrived today...your post is spot on!

Now I have to get my pre, source and streaming figured out.

mrloren

after just a glance I didn't see anybody say "call Doug" http://douglasconnection.com/main.sc

I made some Furez cable I picked up from Doug and they did make a difference from the Monoprice cable I was using.

ZenDawgg

mrloren wrote: »

after just a glance I didn't see anybody say "call Doug" http://douglasconnection.com/main.sc

I made some Furez cable I picked up from Doug and they did make a difference from the Monoprice cable I was using.

That is another possibility.

But for the fact I had S3 AVt3S speaker cables and won a set of AVt3 ICs for $50. I figured I couldn't go wrong... and for a total of $175 for both sets, I couldn't be happier with the sound I'm getting.

However I've only been exposed to my homebrew speaker cables/ICs, MIT AVt3 Speaker cables/ICs, and AQ Diamondback ICs so I don't have too much to compare with.

ROHfan

I would never recommend upgrading cables before upgrading to a good external amp. You'll hear more of a sonic upgrade with a new amp. Once you're good with that, then use new cables to fine tune your rig. You don't have to spend $500 on cabling right now. It just doesn't make sense. This is all, of course, IMHO.

gp4jesus

ROHfan wrote: »

I would never recommend upgrading cables before upgrading to a good external amp. You'll hear more of a sonic upgrade with a new amp. Once you're good with that, then use new cables to fine tune your rig. You don't have to spend $500 on cabling right now. It just doesn't make sense.

GOSH! I wish I said that.

gp4jesus wrote: »

(January 9th) ZenDawg - my $0.02: I think you'd enjoy, to a much greater degree, improved SQ w/a power upgrade* w/those speakers than any cable - sorry I didn't chime in sooner.
* and I don't mean power increase

Oh that's right, I did!

ROHfan wrote: »

This is all, of course, IMHO.

...an opinion I happily, willingly, & humbly share.

Tony

Nightfall

ROHfan wrote: »

I would never recommend upgrading cables before upgrading to a good external amp. You'll hear more of a sonic upgrade with a new amp. Once you're good with that, then use new cables to fine tune your rig. You don't have to spend $500 on cabling right now. It just doesn't make sense. This is all, of course, IMHO.

Somebody already had this opinion. Two same opinions are not allowed.