Help choosing interconnects

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
edited March 2011 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
So I am thinking about upgrading my interconnects from my cheap monoprice ones to something better. I am looking to spend ~150 for all three when I decide to buy (time frame unknown). I would like them to be 3 feet in length so I dont have to worry about if I move where my amp is located. 2 feet is probably the minimum I can go.

Used isnt really a problem for me on these so I can play the waiting game on Audiogon or on the forums, just looking to get some overall knowlege on the prefered ones from my listed below. If there is one within my budget not on my list please let me know....

More budget friendly:

Audioquest Sidewinder
Signal Cable Analog Two

Less budget friendly:

Audioquest Diamondback
Signal Cable Silver Resoultion
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,202
    edited March 2011
    Those are all fine. Silver can have some synergy issues in some rigs. I really like Signal Analog II's for the price.

    Seriously, there aren't already enough threads at CP about I/C's :confused:

    And these specific models have been very well covered.

    Just my .02c

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,118
    edited March 2011
    I've used all the above and the Signal Cable Silver Resoultion is by far my favorite. Those are all good choices, and you may want to add MIT to the list too.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,202
    edited March 2011
    Conradicles wrote: »
    I've used all the above and the Signal Cable Silver Resoultion is by far my favorite. Those are all good choices, and you may want to add MIT to the list too.

    It might be hard to fine 3 prs. of 3ft MIT's for $150. Unless he's on the hunt for awhile. But yes, I would add MIT's to the list as well.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Silver can have some synergy issues in some rigs

    Seriously, there aren't already enough threads at CP about I/C's :confused:

    H9

    Thanks for mentioning synergy regarding the silver ones. I hadnt run across that information in the threads I looked at....

    I did do a search and these seemed to be some of the suggested ones, but didnt see much from early 2010 on so just wanted to make sure the information I had was still relevant. :smile:
    Conradicles wrote: »
    I've used all the above and the Signal Cable Silver Resoultion is by far my favorite. Those are all good choices, and you may want to add MIT to the list too.

    MIT tend to be waaayyy outta my price range even used from what I see.....

    Also I do not need 3 pairs, I just need 3 cables total for my left right and center.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,202
    edited March 2011
    If you are willing to hunt on ebay and audiogon you can find some deals on MIT's but it can be a pain and it might take up to a year to find the right deal to fit your budget.

    Signal Cable is hard to beat.........silver cables that I have used tend to be bright and lack bass resolution in MY system. They tend to work better with a darker system.

    YMMV

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    What is your system, and what tonal characteristics do you find lacking?
    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
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    What is your system, and what tonal characteristics do you find lacking?

    Right now its an Integra DTR 5.9 - Carver AV705x - T90e fronts and CS2 center.

    Not sure what tonal characteristics I am lacking, I just have a feeling my 1.52 per cable monoprice interconnects should probably be replaced.

    If I had to say anything it was that I dont think I get as much bass as I should to my fronts.

    The Fronts are crossed over at 60hz and the center & surrounds at 80.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2011
    Also look at Copperhead, and Kimber's budget line.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Also look at Copperhead, and Kimber's budget line.

    Might hop on these fellas.... just not sure the wife wants to give me any more audio upgrade money right now :eek:

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?cablintr&1303518936&/Audioquest-Copperhead-1m-RCA--
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2011
    I liked the copperhead better than the diamondback. Just handle them carefully, it's solid core copper, and can break off at the plug if not handled properly.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Thanks for mentioning synergy regarding the silver ones. I hadnt run across that information in the threads I looked at....

    I did do a search and these seemed to be some of the suggested ones, but didnt see much from early 2010 on so just wanted to make sure the information I had was still relevant. :smile:



    MIT tend to be waaayyy outta my price range even used from what I see.....

    Also I do not need 3 pairs, I just need 3 cables total for my left right and center.
    You can get good deals on new MIT cables through E-bay,at times. I bought all of my MIT Cables from E-bay, brand new in the box, shotgun SE3 for $600,1.5meter. 2Pairs
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2011
    For my HT system I'm running all MIT AVT S3 speaker wires and IC's and they sound great together. Bought the S3 IC's used for $50 a pair. It took about a month or two buying them piece by piece but it was well worth the wait at a huge discount.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,988
    edited March 2011
    Just ask Ben to make you a set. I would say his cables are a good jump in SQ over the standard monoprice stuff. Plus he's a sweetheart of a guy to deal with.
    At 50 bucks a cable though, not much out there in the way of better SQ, even used it maybe hard to snag a good deal on something significantly better.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited March 2011
    The Diamondbacks are excellent cables. I also suggest looking used for a pairs of Kimber Kable Hero's. One of the very best if not the best under 300.00 Ic I have ever heard.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • K-daugh
    K-daugh Posts: 467
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    So I am thinking about upgrading my interconnects from my cheap monoprice ones to something better. I am looking to spend ~150 for all three when I decide to buy (time frame unknown). I would like them to be 3 feet in length so I dont have to worry about if I move where my amp is located. 2 feet is probably the minimum I can go.

    Used isnt really a problem for me on these so I can play the waiting game on Audiogon or on the forums, just looking to get some overall knowlege on the prefered ones from my listed below. If there is one within my budget not on my list please let me know....

    More budget friendly:

    Audioquest Sidewinder
    Signal Cable Analog Two

    Less budget friendly:

    Audioquest Diamondback
    Signal Cable Silver Resoultion
    Traitor!!!!!!:eek::eek::biggrin:
    Budget 5.1 H.T. Set Up
    HK avr 247 - Adcom GFA-7605:mrgreen::mrgreen: - Belkin PF60 Power Conditioner - Cs2 center channel - Monitor 60's fronts - Monitor 30's rears
    Mirage Bps 150i powered sub - 40"Samsung LCD ln40c530 - Sony Blu Ray Player BDP-S370 - Comcast digital hd box(motorola dcx3400)
    Monoprice Premium Interconnects Monoprice Ultra Slim HDMI w/Redmere:mrgreen: -Knukonceptz Kord 10 Gauge Speaker Wire - Nakamichi Banana Plugs
    Custom Jumpers
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    K-daugh wrote: »
    Traitor!!!!!!:eek::eek::biggrin:

    hehehe....not a traitor, just finally over the budget minded setup hump lol.... I still am using Monoprice upstairs in my rig as well as for my Surrounds and dont plan to change it, its just not worth the extra cash to do it due to the length of the wire and the hassle of re-running the cables...

    I also still have about 200 feet of 14 gauge monoprice in my closet which will probably be used to re-wire my dads setup later (planning on buying him a cheap HDMI receiver, 3 sets of Monitor 30's and a CS1)

    MIT's interconnects honestly are out of my reach so its more than likely going to be a set of used AudioQuest Copperheads or Diamondbacks or New Signal Cable Analog Two's.

    I am going to wait till I get how I want to wire everything figured out first and then perhaps purchase one cable to do a A&B with my fronts.

    Figure I want to ensure I can tell a difference before I drop the cash on 3 of them :).
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited March 2011
    Maybe I missed something but the thread says 'interconnects, but you mentioned you only need 3 cables for your fronts and center - so do you need speaker cables?:confused:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Maybe I missed something but the thread says 'interconnects, but you mentioned you only need 3 cables for your fronts and center - so do you need speaker cables?:confused:

    I am only connecting the pre-outs for my left, right and center to my external carver amplifier.

    I am running my surrounds off my receiver and don't plan on changing that anytime soon...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    I am only connecting the pre-outs for my left, right and center to my external carver amplifier.

    I am running my surrounds off my receiver and don't plan on changing that anytime soon...

    I'd go with your plan for used Copperheads or Diamondbacks.

    Not a fan of King Cobras though.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    I'd go with your plan for used Copperheads or Diamondbacks.

    Not a fan of King Cobras though.

    Yeah I didnt want to head that far up the chain. Lets be honest I am running Monitor 60's lol... so any improvements might not be as noticeable as if I was running speakers like Maggies or LSi's.

    I am just looking to get the chain of connections to the speaker decent so if I add good speakers I am giving them the ability to shine more and not holding them back with my interconnects, speaker wire, ect....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Yeah I didnt want to head that far up the chain. Lets be honest I am running Monitor 60's lol... so any improvements might not be as noticeable as if I was running speakers like Maggies or LSi's.

    I am just looking to get the chain of connections to the speaker decent so if I add good speakers I am giving them the ability to shine more and not holding them back with my interconnects, speaker wire, ect....

    I've run Sidewinders, Copperheads, Diamondbacks, King Cobras, Jaguars, and Columbias.

    If you are thinking AQs, I think you'll get your best value with either the Sidewinders or Copperheads.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    I've run Sidewinders, Copperheads, Diamondbacks, King Cobras, Jaguars, and Columbias.

    If you are thinking AQs, I think you'll get your best value with either the Sidewinders or Copperheads.

    How much of a step up in quality do I get from going from like Copperheads to Diamondbacks? I notice the Diamondback has 3 duplicate strands v. the Copperheads and Sidewinders 1. How much does that really matter in everyday usage?

    I am setting this up for possibly some Paradigms at some point as I really liked the way their imaging and sound-stage sounded.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    How much of a step up in quality do I get from going from like Copperheads to Diamondbacks? I notice the Diamondback has 3 duplicate strands v. the Copperheads and Sidewinders 1. How much does that really matter in everyday usage?

    I am setting this up for possibly some Paradigms at some point as I really liked the way their imaging and sound-stage sounded.....

    I subscribe to the reality of system synergy - which cables will play a part of.

    For instance, in my rig, the older and cheaper AQ Jaguars sounded 'better' than the newer more expensive Columbias....go figure...but it was noticable.

    Columbias have uber uber detail - so if that is lacking from your system, or if that is what you are after - then these are the IC for you.

    The King Cobras sounded 'loose and sloppy' in my rig.

    Diamondbacks are detailed as well - but wouldn't be a good choice, imo, if the other components in your rig have a reputation for being detailed...too much of a good thing, etc...

    I found that the Sidewinders and Copperheads gave my rig more depth and a nice graded step up up in detail than the standard ICs I started with.

    The Jaguars have that Goldilocks "just right" synergy for me.

    imo...I think you'll get noticable gains with either the Sidewinders or Copperheads. But, after that, you'll have to decide how to 'tune' your rig for what it is you are after.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    BTW mine are $30 each for 3 footers.
    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
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  • Obsession18
    Obsession18 Posts: 191
    edited March 2011
    Audio Advisor has a pretty good deal on a 3-pack of Blue Racer II cables from Audio Quest, they use the same conductor as the Audio Quest Copperhead cables. The website states that the cables are an Audio Advisor exclusive and that they install the terminations on in-house. I bought some and they are a quality cable at a reasonable price.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQKBRII
    2-Channel System
    Analog: VPI Traveler TT, Audio Technica 150MLX, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS
    CD Player: Jolida JD-100 Preamp: Cambridge 840E Amp: Odyssey Kismet Stereo
    Spkrs: Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature Systems
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2011
    Build some of the DH Labs Pro Studio ICs. The cable is $9 a foot and you can choose from any number of connectors that fit your budget and preferences. I'm currently running it in my rig with silver Luminous Audio RCA plugs, which is leaving my Transparent Audio MusicLink Plus ICs sitting unused...

    Pro_Studio.jpg

    silverrcaallMD.jpg
    Jake
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  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited March 2011
    +1 ^^^
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
    Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
    Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
    Harman Kardon T-55c TT
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    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
    4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
    DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
    Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    I think more than likely I am going to go with Signal Cable Analog 2's. After reading about the AudioQuest problems with the ground wire breaking (apparently common in the Sidewinders, Copperheads, Diamondbacks, and some of the other cables).

    For the price they are actually cheaper than the Audioquest's. I am still not sure when I will be ordering them since I have to get some wiring things in order before I know how many I will need....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    I think more than likely I am going to go with Signal Cable Analog 2's. After reading about the AudioQuest problems with the ground wire breaking (apparently common in the Sidewinders, Copperheads, Diamondbacks, and some of the other cables).

    For the price they are actually cheaper than the Audioquest's. I am still not sure when I will be ordering them since I have to get some wiring things in order before I know how many I will need....

    I've got the Analog 2's and love them, I only had the Audioquest alpha snakes though so I can't really compare the two brands.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    B Run wrote: »
    I've got the Analog 2's and love them, I only had the Audioquest alpha snakes though so I can't really compare the two brands.

    And even better, its only 115 for a set of 5 (if I decide to keep it wired that way) and 14 dollars a foot extra so I could get a set of 5 3ft cables for ~130 :eek:

    or even better I could get a set of 6 3 footers and use one for my computer rig upstairs for the cost of 152!

    and thats before you apply the discount we get as Polkies!
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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