worth changing rca patch cables?

soundfreak1

how much diff. Can I expect to hear by diff. Cables? To start with I'm running a parasound HCA 1200 completely "gone thru" new caps,output relays ect. Dared sl2000A-SE preamp with telefunken matched tubes and RTA 12B And C speakers. Quite happy with the system. But....... Using a hoge poge of rca patch cords ie: mid-fi at best. Now, how crazy do I need to go to "actual" hear a diff. I believe I the theory of diminishing returnes. And also is cost substantially less if I Diy them? Basicly how much should I have too spend to hear a reasonable improvment? Thanks just don't want to spend money for the sake of spending it.

inspiredsports

Fortunately, most interconnects can be purchased used, auditioned and resold for about what you paid.

No one can predict what you will like, and no one can predict synergy.

My advice is that you try as many brands/models as you can and decide what works best in your specific system according to YOUR ears.

headrott

inspiredsports wrote: »

Fortunately, most interconnects can be purchased used, auditioned and resold for about what you paid.

No one can predict what you will like, and no one can predict synergy.

My advice is that you try as many brands/models as you can and decide what works best in your specific system according to YOUR ears.

Excellent advice.

Greg

reeltrouble1

I would say your gear is at a level where something better than hodgepodge will yield poistive results.

Why not get in on the cable demo that is presently going on with the MIT.

RT1

soundfreak1

Reeltrouble1, not aware of the mit " demo" you speak of. Please explain.

mantis

With a name like soundfreak1 , I'm assuming your into having your system sound the best it can.
So lets review your system

Amp -Parasound HCA 1200 which is a nice amp , clean sounding with some nice punch. I haven't heard one in years but from what I remember I really enjoyed the tone.
Pre- Dared sl2000A-SE I have no idea how this sounds I never Installed or heard one.
Speakers Polk RTA 12B and also a pair of C's. Pretty nice older model speakers with good sound. I think you could do better with some upgrades but thats just me.
Now I don't know your sources like CD , SACD , Reel , computer server , what have you but if you want my suggestion on some good affordable Analog Interconnects that should impress you and not break the bank would be Audioquest Diamondbacks or King Cobra's. Both of which sound fantastic and basically just get out of the way of your music. Allowing it to flow right to your speakers which brings me to the last link here in a nice pair of Type 8's speaker wire by Audioquest as well. These will perfectly match your IC's and bring balance to the force here. Your system will sound like someone came in and cleaned it from head to toe.
Type 4 is also a nice balance to match your current system but I like the Type 8 for the extra current abilities.

Let me know how you make out.

soundfreak1

Mantis I like the setiment " get out of the way of the music" I don't use any tone controls and like music clean, warm and accurate. The pre is very dynamic ( tube) and after almost a dozen diff. Ones it's quite suprizing. And just works better with the 1200 than any other I've tried. I'll look into the brands u mentioned. Thanks for the insite.

zeppage2

http://www.mitcablesexpress.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=108&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=14

soundfreak1

Speaker wire will be next on the list. Due to the length of the runs,(30+ feet on one pair 100' on other) prob. Will have to DIY due to cost. Want to knock out the interconnects first. Have begun speakers mods, Dynamated all drivers, rdo 194's in the c's will do the b's also than starting to save up for a recap job. It's like eating elephants for dinner, can be done if cut into small enough pieces.

reeltrouble1

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115800

here you go.

RT1

soundfreak1

I don't think I qualify (sales rating) I've bought from several members but never sold anything. Plus the speaker wire length is way too short for my needs. Would be cool to see or hear what those ic's could do. Way out of my price range though.

Outfitter03

Will you explain why you need 100' speaker cables? Are your speaker located at your neighbors house?

soundfreak1

Driving another pair of speakers in a diff room thru a adcom gfs 3 speaker selector.

Outfitter03

Gotcha. Probably best just playing around with the short pair first. If 5 meter is long enough those can be found used. They are usually a little more expensive than the 2.5 or 3 meter lengths on the used market, but not lot's more. Just a little harder to come by.

The problem with DIY speaker cables is that they are hard to find used, or if you do them yourself you will eat a good deal of the cost in a flip. Don't know if it is possible to look at your room setup, but the length will plague you in easily trying different cables. Would be much easier if you could shorten down to at least the 3m length which gives you up to about 15' separation of your speakers depending on amp placement.

soundfreak1

Yea the placment is not changeable, the layout of the room prevents it. That's why speaker wire will be the last tweek. Using some 14ga jacketed honeywell wire used in prewire for the time being. Bought it I think for .20 cents a foot in a 200 ft. Box. The store had some partial open boxes left over from an install so I took it put some mid- fi bananas on them.

Outfitter03

This 4s11 Canare will be a big step up from where you currently are at and should be all you need for the long runs. This is the best price that I have found and will include free shipping on an order this size.

http://www.performanceaudio.com/shop/Canare

The Type 8 wire suggested by Mantis would be excellent and a great match for your components. For affordability you may need to watch Audiogon or other adds to try and find a set of 5m used. I have purchased some interconnects from the following vendor and they have always arrived within 3 days and this vendor was recommended by some senior members here for audioquest interconnects and cables. Will at least give you some idea of price of new purchases.

http://hcmaudio.com/manuf.asp?hdnCat=&sel=1&ManufID=AudioQuest

fbm211

I 2nd the 4s11 canare for those long runs.With good pure copper nanners or spades.

reeltrouble1

I use the AudioQuest GBC across the front of the ReelTime Theater, very satisfied with this wire with the Polk Lci in-wall series speakers. I recall Capri from HCM as being good to deal with. For my longer runs to the back surround/surround I used parts-express 12 ga. with four wire, twisted two ends together at the termination points, CL Rated, nice stuff.

RT1

reeltrouble1

Hey SF, another good reason for you to come to PolkFest...the gear their is always driven by different types of wire, generally mid to higher priced..it was at a fest that I first heard the cables and wires I now use in my stereo rig. Not necessarily the ideal way to decide on cabling, nonetheless, still a nice way to get to hear different things and have a ball at the same time.

RT1

soundfreak1

I going to try to make it if I can.