Marantz & Speaker Cable Match? Looking for past experiences for what sounded best.

PerfectCreature

Given the problems I was having with the Harmon Kardon, the electronics repair shop offered to buy it from me for a decent price after he had it in his shop. I believe he stated it was a resistor that was failing that was causing the issues? I can't remember. I ended getting a Marantz SR5008 off Crutchfield.
I was able to grab a center channel off the Polk Ebay website, a CS1 which should match up well with my Monitor 50s
I plan to get the OMWs for the rear channels.
I was going to grab 2 pairs for the rears as I can have a 7.1.

The question is, which brand and style cables have you all had the best luck with in terms of synergy from the Marantz and Polk speakers.
I know a lot of you have Marantz, so I was wondering what your experiences have been in regards to cables.
I would be looking at probably a 50-75ft combined length of cables.

So far I have found the most positive things on the Blue Jeans Belden 10 White cables.

I have roughly a $200 budget or so for new speaker cables. I could go a little higher on the cables if it would be a night and day difference, but I doubt that would be the case unless my budget jumped significantly.


Does anyone else have any other suggestions, another brand or model that would be a better match?

Thank you.

Erik Tracy

For the amount of cable you need and your budget go with the Blue Jeans.

The synergy between components will vary - so there is no one answer for what cables deliver the best when coupled with Marantz and Polk. Esp in regards to what speaker line up you are pairing to.

tonyb

Yeah, BJ cable might be your best bet considering footage and budget. Canare is another. But....I might be more inclined to throw the BJ cables on all the speakers except the front 2 if you use only those 2 for music listening. Then I might spend a tad bit more there.

The CS2 also might be worth a look over the CS1, noticeably better.

PerfectCreature

I already have AudioQuest Rocket 33s for my main fronts. So that is covered for my music listening.
I will look into PNFs and see what I can find.
I've been see some good deals on the BJC on various used cable sites, so I've been leaning towards that method.
Thank you for the insight, please keep it coming.

gce

Blue Jeans Belden 10 White cables is what I have from my Marantz to my Polks...sounds great!

PerfectCreature

How are the highs and lows? I read that many users felt the highs rolled off, the lows were a little more pronounced, but the mids were their specialty point?
Is that a true statement?

Speedskater

gce wrote: »

Blue Jeans Belden 10 White cables is what I have from my Marantz to my Polks...sounds great!

Those would be a most excellent choice.

mantis

Since you already have Rocket 33's, you should get a Roll of Audioquest FLX14-2 for everything else. Pick up some Audioquest banana plugs and your set.
You budget shouldn't get stretched that much for a 125 ft roll and as many Banana's as you need.
I have basically the same exact setup for my system . I have Rocket 44's for my main speakers and FLX 14-2 for the center which is hung on the wall and my surround speakers which are also hung on the wall.
At one point I built custom Left and Right speaker wires out of FLX 14-2 and found them to sound amazing. For the money there is no better wire on this planet earth that out performs FLX. I have tried so many different wire companies and different levels it's madness. At the end of the day or Decades in my case , Audioquest to me is overall the very best cables made period.
I also find them to have the best neutral qualities that they can go into ANY system and allow given system to perform at it's best. It's what I find so amazing about them.
I've been working with and owning personally since 2005. My entire system is all Audioquest including Power cords , HDMI , Network etc.

PerfectCreature

I too am guilty of the all audioquest affliction.
I wouldn't say my network cords are audio quest, but my audio cords are.
The FLX 14-2 is a pretty good deal at 125 for $130. That would last quote a few installs, the i wall capability is also a plus. That does open up a lot of possibilities.
Would you recommend the audioquest BFA nanners or another brand?

PerfectCreature

I have done some measuring, and I am going to look into the Audioquest cables, they seem very no thrills, and the ability to run them into the wall is a positive. I like having the Audioquest synergy.
I have considered the possibilities, and will not be exploring a 7.1 system, I will leave the rear surround assignable channel empty. I will only utilize the 5.1 capabilities.
I am looking at getting the F/XiA4 for my srurrounds, and will continue with my Monitor 50s, until I am able to spot a deal.
It will probably be a while before I can get the F/XiA4 and the cables, as I had plenty of bills this month and my taxes have not come back yet, but I am looking forward to it.
Ebay Polk Direct has had some really good sales on refurbished units, so I will be going that avenue. Given the amazing support of this forum, and its mods, I feel that any issues I would have would be well taken care, so I have no worries.

I just purchased a refurbished CS1, that mentioned it would match well with my Monitor 50s, so I am looking forward to having a center channel.

I will unfortunately have to use some 16 gauge Kicker wire, but at least its silver tinned OFC,

I feel like it is coming together, if anyone has any recommendations, or advice on wires and setups, please feel free to post.
I will be making a purchase in the next month or two, and will be enjoying a 3.1 setup for the time being.

pumpkinman

Inexpensive flat wire that friends have used it with good results.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190754521813?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Specs:

14 AWG
Atlona 100ft (30m) High-Purity Oxygen Free Copper conductors
Improved paintable insulation
Jacket Color: White
Thickness of the cable is 2mm
Overall width of the cable is 13mm
Distance between conductors is 2mm