Which type of cable (PC, IC, SC) has more effect to the sound

sk88

If I believe cables can make a difference to the sound, in terms of importance how would you rank the following type of cables from high to low?
1. Power cable
2. Interconnect
3. Speaker cable

If all the existing cables (including connectors) are just ordinary working cables with nothing wrong, I'd like to know which cable should I look FIRST for possible improvements.

hochpt21

You will get a lot of answers and hopefully not arguments, but I guess I'll start. In my fairly limited experience in my system I could tell a difference with interconnects, but not power cables. I have not A/B speaker cables.

pretzelfisch

sk88 wrote: »

If I believe cables can make a difference to the sound, in terms of importance how would you rank the following type of cables from high to low?
1. Power cable
2. Interconnect
3. Speaker cable

If all the existing cables (including connectors) are just ordinary working cables with nothing wrong, I'd like to know which cable should I look FIRST for possible improvements.

what are you connecting your ps3?

txcoastal1

Hard to say. Most would start off with speaker cables, but as always synergy comes into play.
Example: I had bought a pair of silver IC all the way down to to RCA connectors a few years ago and placed the between my SACD player and my Elite SC-35 using LSi25's...sounded like a$$ & hurt my ears and swore I would never use silver again.

Pulled them out 6 months ago installed them in between my SACD and Modwright integrated sounds wonderful so they stayed.

Have wish-washed cables in several combinations there is no one answer just as any other component.

sk88

pretzelfisch wrote: »

what are you connecting your ps3?

Currently it goes to my SC-68 over HDMI.

treitz3

This question is a legit question. With that said, it's also a loaded one with no one sweeping answer to address everybody. It always boils down to ones gear, preferences and listening ability. Synergy also plays an extremely large part of this equation.......at least in my experience. Yours and others experience may not be the same.

BTW, there is no belief. There only is.

Tom

sk88

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Hard to say. Most would start off with speaker cables, but as always synergy comes into play.

... placed the between my SACD player and my Elite SC-35 using LSi25's...sounded like a$$ & hurt my ears and swore I would never use silver again.
.

Hmm.. I am mod'ing the XO on LSi25 and since it's going to be external, I'll be replacing all the internal and speaker wires at the same time. Not sure what kind of wire I should go by now...:rolleyes: I know it's not a good idea to make multiple changes at the same time.

tonyb

From my experience, Speaker, IC, then PC.....in that order.

BlueFox

I prefer speaker, IC, PC, PC, IC, upgrade speaker, upgrade PC, upgrade IC, upgrade PC. Repeat.

tonyb

BlueFox wrote: »

I prefer speaker, IC, PC, PC, IC, upgrade speaker, upgrade PC, upgrade IC, upgrade PC. Repeat.

Man, your like reading the directions on a shampoo bottle.

sk88

BlueFox wrote: »

I prefer speaker, IC, PC, PC, IC, upgrade speaker, upgrade PC, upgrade IC, upgrade PC. Repeat.

You don't think SC makes a difference?

F1nut

He said speaker cable first.

I prefer speaker, IC, PC,

I agree on that order.

headrott

^^^^^I do as well.......^^^^^

zingo

Here is my hierarchy of cables that have an effect of sound quality: analog audio signal -> digital audio signal -> power. Within that, it can be fairly system and component dependent based on transmission type, connector type, length of cable, and possible sources of interference.

PSOVLSK

As evidenced by the varying answers, there is no right answer.

My limited experience says SC, IC, PC.

sk88

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll start with the speaker wires. That's probably the only analog part of the wires I'll have. My IC's are either HDMI or USB which are digital so I think there is not too much concerns as long as on solid cables. I'll leave power cable for the last.

headrott

sk88 wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll start with the speaker wires. That's probably the only analog part of the wires I'll have. My IC's are either HDMI or USB which are digital so I think there is not too much concerns as long as on solid cables. I'll leave power cable for the last.

I KNOW some will disagree, but let's not forget that digital IC's count too. They can have as much of an effect on the audio your system produces as analog IC's do. I would include upgrading your digital IC's as well.

sk88

Maybe more detail information about my set up can help:
I use PS3 mostly to play CD music and occasionally DVD/BD for movies or games. It's a 6' HDMI cable between the PS3 and SC-68. They both plug into a Belkin PureAV PF30 power conditioner/surger protector.
I also connect a laptop to SC-68 over the Async USB port for playing FLAC files.

A better power plug may benefit SC-68. Would it matter if I continue plugging it to PF30 or directly to the wall? PF30 has a high-current port specifically designed for amp.

Regarding HDMI, I figured nothing much to worry for a 6' length and we are not talking about cheaply made cables. I assume improvements might be minuscule at best. The same goes to the async usb connection.

I might consider upgrading to a better CD player. I checked with Oppo for a 103 or 105. However, Oppo CS actually suggested me 103 and connect it over HDMI to SC-68. In their words, I'll get the best audio quality and I won't loose SC-68's ability with MCACC adjustments. I believe they may suggest differently if I have an analog-only preamp or amp.

I understand there have been many discussions about cables. Please understand I don't have actual experiences to tell which way is better (thus my post here).

sk88

DSkip wrote: »

Food for thought: I'm not sure what you're looking at, but even adding cheapo Pangea AC-14's will make a sonic benefit for a low investment.

Hi DSkip,
Just want to say thanks! I purchased a Pangea AC-14SE C7 for my CD/SACD player and I like it. My next step is to build a NeoTech power cable (NC-P311 male, NC-P302 IEC, NEP-3001 3x10awg) for the amp. Unlike speaker cables, choosing a power cable is much easier.

F1nut

sk88 wrote: »

Unlike speaker cables, choosing a power cable is much easier.

Wanna bet!

BlueFox

sk88 wrote: »

Unlike speaker cables, choosing a power cable is much easier.

F1nut wrote: »

Wanna bet!

Ignorance is bliss, as the saying goes.

headrott

BlueFox wrote: »

Ignorance is bliss, as the saying goes.

Tried to embed this video but it wouldn't work?? Anyway:

http://youtu.be/S9sjMIny4dk

WLDock

As far as HDMI cables, I really like what Kurt from Blue Jeans Cable has to say...very informative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHjkb1m7Y7s

HDMI Cable Information Center
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/hdmi-cable-information.htm?hdmidept

For shorter runs...I'm not sure what more there is to gain over their Belden cables? Well, at least they fit my needs...

sk88

F1nut wrote: »

Wanna bet!

I was gonna bet that there is no MIT shotgun power cable. I was wrong of course. :-)

sk88

Thanks WLDock, that BLC video is very informative.

F1nut

sk88 wrote: »

I was gonna bet that there is no MIT shotgun power cable. I was wrong of course. :-)

LOL....yeah they do, but I've never tried one. I prefer PS Audio power cords. PS Audio is the only company to truly engineer a power cord from the ground up to include making their own plug heads and IEC ends that are then cold welded and hermetically sealed to the wires. Everyone else is still using the generic loose fitting Hubbell type. In addition, PS Audio makes no secret about what materials are used or the configuration inside their power cords. More importantly, like MIT audio cables, they sound great!

F1nut

Damn forum won't let me edit.....

Slight corrrection, Pangea plug heads are not the generic loose fitting Hubbell type, but still not in the same class as the ones PS Audio makes.

tonyb

Point being in all this is to just go out and try some different cables, be it PC, IC's, or speaker cables. There's nothing short of a hundred or so choices, ask any of us for guidance or what brands stick out as bang for your buck. If you buy used too, you can flip them if they don't blow your skirt up and recoup all your coin or even make money depending on the deal you got.

MarkTX

the ones that are free always sound good