Interconnect Poll

TORI3
TORI3 Posts: 234
edited September 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Alright guys (and gals), I need some help in choosing the right interconnects with my system.

Pioneer Elite VSX23
Sunfire Cinema Grand Seven
Polk RTi series

I’m practicing financial responsibility, so I’m starting with only three (fronts and center) interconnects, instead of the standard 5 (RTi4s aren’t connected right now).

I’d consider BJC, but I’ve heard some mix reviews from AVS. With this said, they’re still an option if the consensus points in that direction.

Price range of interconnects: $100 - $200
Distance: 0.5 -- 1.0 meter

*I’m slowly upgrading the system…next will be speakers…

Thanks in advance!
HT: RTi8s, CSi3, RTi4s, HSU ULS-15, Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH, Sunfire Cinema Seven.
2CH: CJ MF2300, Parasound P3, PS Audio DLIII, Wadia 170i, Music Hall Maverick, Sierra-1s, Sunfire HRS8
Post edited by TORI3 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited August 2010
    I voted for Belden,cause they make a good soild product,, but given your budget,why not try some MIT Terminator 2 (grey box).
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sm88
    sm88 Posts: 353
    edited August 2010
    I have the Black Mamba II's and am impressed with the design, it is similar to a King Cobra, silver plated plugs and the likes, but has a different configuration internally and is cheaper. That said, I only have one short pair and haven't yet outfitted a whole system with them, they were freebies I picked up with a deal.

    I'd recommend skipping the purchase of new cables, used is where the deals are at in audio and cables are absolutely no exception. In cases of speakers and the likes, quality issues arise with age, but cables don't really age, so there is no sense paying full price. Do not buy from the bay though unless you are certain of authenticity, and I suggest you filter your results there by "North America" only if you do. Scores of sellers from Hong Kong are peddling cables that lack authentic packaging, but as a lot of the companies plugs are freely available to purchase they look exactly the same as real cables.

    The beauty of the scam is that the only way you could really tell a good reproduction from the real deal is to cut one open, which of course damages the very product you just paid for.
    Current System:
    Paradigm Signature S2 v2
    Conrad Johnson MF2500
    Wyred4Sound DAC2
    Audioquest Black Mamba II

    For Sale:
    3x Wilson Cub's
    Conrad Johnson MF2500
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited August 2010
    Haven't heard any of the cables listed but I'd vote for the MIT T2's as well.

    Used AQ in the past but since trying MIT, I haven't looked back.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited August 2010
    i have a few Audioquest IC's im not using anymore. sending a PM with more info
    mole'
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited August 2010
    Other....+1

    Ben's silver
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TORI3
    TORI3 Posts: 234
    edited August 2010
    george daniel wrote: »
    I voted for Belden,cause they make a good soild product,, but given your budget,why not try some MIT Terminator 2 (grey box).

    From all of the MIT recommendations, I did a quick search, but haven't been able to find much (at least not there entry level stuff). Where online have you guys been purchasing this stuff?
    sm88 wrote: »
    I have the Black Mamba II's and am impressed with the design, it is similar to a King Cobra, silver plated plugs and the likes, but has a different configuration internally and is cheaper. That said, I only have one short pair and haven't yet outfitted a whole system with them, they were freebies I picked up with a deal.

    I'd recommend skipping the purchase of new cables, used is where the deals are at in audio and cables are absolutely no exception. In cases of speakers and the likes, quality issues arise with age, but cables don't really age, so there is no sense paying full price. Do not buy from the bay though unless you are certain of authenticity, and I suggest you filter your results there by "North America" only if you do. Scores of sellers from Hong Kong are peddling cables that lack authentic packaging, but as a lot of the companies plugs are freely available to purchase they look exactly the same as real cables.

    The beauty of the scam is that the only way you could really tell a good reproduction from the real deal is to cut one open, which of course damages the very product you just paid for.

    THANK YOU!

    That's really great insight. You saved me from becoming a sucker!
    mole' wrote: »
    i have a few Audioquest IC's im not using anymore. sending a PM with more info

    PM sent.

    There's a lot of options up there, but a friend also reminded me of Kimber ICs. I did another quick search, and there seems to be a lot of good reviews on some of their entry level stuff as well.

    Thanks for all the great feedback. Much appreciated.
    HT: RTi8s, CSi3, RTi4s, HSU ULS-15, Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH, Sunfire Cinema Seven.
    2CH: CJ MF2300, Parasound P3, PS Audio DLIII, Wadia 170i, Music Hall Maverick, Sierra-1s, Sunfire HRS8
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,781
    edited August 2010
    sm88 wrote: »
    The beauty of the scam is that the only way you could really tell a good reproduction from the real deal is to cut one open, which of course damages the very product you just paid for.

    Why can't you tell from listening to them? Odd...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sm88
    sm88 Posts: 353
    edited August 2010
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    Why can't you tell from listening to them? Odd...

    Cable differences are rarely a 'veil being lifted' upgrade in my experience, and if you've never 'heard the authentic cables' in your exact system, how would you ever know beyond the whole "I paid a lot of money for this so it must sound a certain way" philosophy?
    Current System:
    Paradigm Signature S2 v2
    Conrad Johnson MF2500
    Wyred4Sound DAC2
    Audioquest Black Mamba II

    For Sale:
    3x Wilson Cub's
    Conrad Johnson MF2500
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited August 2010
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    Why can't you tell from listening to them? Odd...

    Might be able to.

    If you had a pair of the "real deal" sitting there to compare to.

    Otherwise.....
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2010
    Fongolio wrote: »
    Other....+1

    Ben's silver

    Thank you
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited September 2010
    i really like Ben's Silver IC's as well.. I found that I liked Ben's or Kimber Hero IC's (which can be had used for around $100-120) better compared to the AQ Black Mamba II's.

    The Black Mamba's seemed a little muddier in the low-end, whereas Bens and the Kimber's were tighter in the low-end. I'm still trying to sort out exact terminology for the mid's and highs, but Ben's seemed brighter than the Mamba's (and I think the Kimber's being more neutral or possibly warmer compared to the Mamba's?)

    Bottom line, I had some Mamba's and definitely liked Ben's better then them.. I got some Kimber Hero's and really like them as well, not better than Ben's, but slightly different sound in my setup..

    Hopefully thats helpful.. and as a disclaimer I've only heard the above mentioned ICs in my setup =)

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited September 2010
    FYI... you can get the Oxyfuels for MUCH cheaper than you listed. All "system-dependent" notions aside, I found the Zu's to be stellar in my rig. Comparing against Belden, Audioquest, Signal... and a few others.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TORI3
    TORI3 Posts: 234
    edited September 2010
    zombie boy 2000 wrote: »
    FYI... you can get the Oxyfuels for MUCH cheaper than you listed. All "system-dependent" notions aside, I found the Zu's to be stellar in my rig. Comparing against Belden, Audioquest, Signal... and a few others.

    Zombie, could you point me in the direction of finding cheaper Oxys?

    To be honest, I really like the idea of purchasing cables from the small business. The poll definitely reinforces this feeling, which will make the decision much easier.

    Last night I came across a 2002 thread on SignalCable before it became a cult favorite on the Polk forum. Really interesting, here's the link:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3380&highlight=Interconnects

    Enjoy the read and thanks a ton, guys. Much appreciated!
    HT: RTi8s, CSi3, RTi4s, HSU ULS-15, Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH, Sunfire Cinema Seven.
    2CH: CJ MF2300, Parasound P3, PS Audio DLIII, Wadia 170i, Music Hall Maverick, Sierra-1s, Sunfire HRS8
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter