IC questions.

packetjones
packetjones Posts: 1,059
edited May 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I am thinking about getting a amp to compliment my HK254. It has pre-outs and I am looking at a 5 channel amp. I am curious about what interconnects to get. Are they just analogue RCA cables? I know that there are all types of different quality cables and all kinds of price ranges. To get an idea of what i have now, I am currently running monoprice 12g speaker wire. I am looking for about the same quality interconnects. I would like to get all 5 IC's for less than $50 if possible. Once I get the amp and decide if it is worth it to me I may upgrade them in the future.

On a separate note What would be the more worth while upgrade. The IC's or the speaker wire?

Thanks guys
Front - RTiA5's
Rear - RTiA3's
Center - CSiA4
Sub - PSW110
Post edited by packetjones on
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Comments

  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited May 2010
    I would suggest the ICs first and better speaker cables later.Go to audiogon and look for good used ICs since you will be able to get them for about half price that way.Not to sure if you can get very good ICs for less than 50 though.5 is an odd number so you may want to look at what parts express has.(Dayton maybe)
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited May 2010
    Jones, no good reason not to get your interconnects from MonoPrice too. Yes, these are analog signals in an electromagnetic wave carried along the outside of a coaxial cable with an RCA plug at each end. Five of these (which I use) will run about $4 plus shipping.

    If you're referring to an "upgrade" that has actual audible significance, you're not going to find it, just spend more money. The speaker wire that you have now and these coaxial cables do the job at low cost without paying extra for hype and snake oil.
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited May 2010
    Thanks for the feedback. I do not want to start the classic cable debate. i am just curious about the IC's as I have never owned a separate amp before. Curious as to what cables i would need to get to make it "work". Are the cables linked above from monoprice the correct cable? As long as it has an RCA connection on the end it will "work"?
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited May 2010
    fbm211 wrote: »
    I would suggest the ICs first and better speaker cables later.Go to audiogon and look for good used ICs since you will be able to get them for about half price that way.Not to sure if you can get very good ICs for less than 50 though.5 is an odd number so you may want to look at what parts express has.(Dayton maybe)

    x2

    Word for word, exactly what I would suggest.

    I have Home Depot cheap DIY speaker cables but have much nicer ICs (which is any cable to connect components to an amp, in your case these would be RCA IC's).

    From years of listening, IC's are much more sensitive and important with sound than speaker cables, IMHO.

    I like Zu cables and Kimber PBJ. You can grab a used pair of PBJ's on Audiogon for $50, but act fast they sell like hotcakes!

    Are you needing 5 cables or 5 pairs of cables?

    What I would do is grab an economical pair on Monoprice and grab a nice pair of PBJs and compare the difference. At the end of the day it is YOUR ears that will decide.

    Here's a review of the PBJ's:
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28364
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited May 2010
    Echosphere wrote: »

    Are you needing 5 cables or 5 pairs of cables?

    I think i need 5? I have a 5.1 system and the amp I am looking at is a 5 channel amp.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2010
    Check out Signal Cable and Blue Jeans Cables. FYI, Signal offers a 5% discount to Club Polk members.

    If you can't hear a difference between Monoprice interconnects and either of the two I just mentioned, you may as well use a generic HTIB.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited May 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    Based on what? Compared to what? Or is this just your personal opinion?

    MonoPrice are a decent budget cable, but there are better. It's not all hype and snake oil. I base that comment on my experience and what I've heard using better cables.

    To my ears Keiko is absolutely right. It's not snake oil when you are talking about different cables that sound different.

    Though, I wouldn't spend $10k on an IC even if I had the money... That's just crazy talk.

    Best think for the OP to do is grab two pairs and compare them himself. If he doesn't hear a difference then thats fine.

    The PBJ is a good decently price gamble and you'll be able to resell it for the same price if it doesn't work out. Good insurance.

    Just make sure to power down that amp before switching! :)
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited May 2010
    packetjones wrote: »
    I think i need 5? I have a 5.1 system and the amp I am looking at is a 5 channel amp.

    Um... Hrmm.. Someone here correct me if I'm wrong..


    But you only need ONE pair of RCA cables "IC's" to connect you HK to an amp.

    What amp is it?

    The HK isn't bad of an amp, but at 33 lbs can't imagine the sound quality is all that 'amazing'?
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited May 2010
    I currently have a HK254 receiver. It is only has 50 wpc. I saw a carver 505, 5 channel amp that peaked my interest. when i look at the signal cable lower end IC's it appears that each cable has 2 RCA connections. So i would only need 2 of these and a single cable? These are the ones i was referring to. http://signalcable.com/analogone.html
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited May 2010
    packetjones wrote: »
    I currently have a HK254 receiver. It is only has 50 wpc. I saw a carver 505, 5 channel amp that peaked my interest. when i look at the signal cable lower end IC's it appears that each cable has 2 RCA connections. So i would only need 2 of these and a single cable? These are the ones i was referring to. http://signalcable.com/analogone.html

    Carver stuff is nice, great choice if you get it! How much are they asking?

    OK! I'm a dork! Yes, you need 5 cables (2 pairs and a single). Sorry, you were right!

    Those signal cables look nice!

    505.JPG
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