New Signal Speaker Cables

janmike

This is my first review of anything to do with audio, so here goes.

I recently purchased three 8-foot lengths of Ultra (Double-Run) speaker cables from Signal Cable; two cables for my front speaker sand one cable for the centre channel. My main objective for purchasing the cables was two-fold. First, I wanted to see if I could tell the difference from what I was previously using and, second, I was more interested in improving the sound quality for 2CH stereo. I am not that concerned with HT purity as the sound of jets screaming by or the slamming of a door is there. What I was looking for was the clear distinct notes on the piano, the air whistling through the bagpipes, distinct vocals….

My Equipment:
Yamaha RX-V1500 AVR
Marantz SE-67 CDP
RTi100 Front Speakers.
12 gauge speaker wire (what I was using prior to the SC purchase)

Selected Music:
Angel– Sarah McLachlan
Tubular Bells – Mike Oldfield
Try & After The Rain – Blue Rodeo
Amazing Grace – Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Between The Devil & Me – Alan Jackson
The Four Seasons – Vivaldi
Piano Man – Billy Joel

I wanted to select relatively mellow music therefore did not tap the AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, U2, Rolling Stones… library until later.

OK, on with the review. The Signal Cables & my new CSi5 all arrived at the same time. My wife answers the door and said, “Great, More Stereo Gear.” It has been a productive year. (Yamaha RX-V1500, RTi38’s, CSi5, Fibre Cables, Signal Cables). After connecting everything, I asked my wife to select some music. She immediately selects The Four Seasons by Vivaldi. Her response was to comment that the speakers sound very full. Next, Amazing Grace. For those of you familiar with this piece, the 3rd level of the pipes is very full-bodied. We have listened to this countless times and I can honestly say that it has never sounded better. My wife indicated that she had never heard the descant that clearly and fully.

The rich full-bodied sound is something that I have not heard in a while. The acoustics of the room are different from our house a year ago and, in my opinion, the Signal Cables have opened the speakers up. Again, these are Rti100’s and I always did like the sound. Have I heard better, guaranteed. Proac Response! Over the past week, I have gone on to play many, many songs and I am totally convinced that the cables have improved the sound. I was skeptical and my wife was the true indicator that we could hear an improvement. For those of you who still disbelieve, I can say only one thing: “It is too bad that you cannot tell the difference.” Four years ago, I honestly believed I could not tell the difference between any component and/or set of speakers that I listened to until I went into a high-end audio shop & listened to high-end gear. I did blind tests and scored 100% on differentiating between components & speakers. That was also the first time I listened to Proac’s flagship speakers. The dream continues.

I will continue to upgrade my current system including a 2CH amp for the fronts (Maybe a Rotel RB1080, new power cords, new IC’s and modifications to my Marantz CDP). If you listen long enough to quality equipment and know your own system inside out, then the addition of quality transport mediums can only have a positive affect. I know the difference between CAT3, CAT5, FIBRE etc., so now I know a little bit about audio cables. I also believe that a certain quality of equipment warrants a certain quality of transport medium upgrade.

Thanks to everyone on this web site who provided positive, unbiased and intelligent feedback throughout this journey.

pjdami

Nice writeup Michael and congrats on a solid upgrade there for your gear.

Paul

dorokusai

Signal is an excellent choice for an all-around performer. The cables are top notch and won't be replaced anytime soon in this house.

Have fun Janmike!

F1nut

First review......are you sure? Well done sir, well done!

janmike

First review for audio. Then again, I have a good mentor way down south. Thanks J.

aequitas

not to get as in depth as mike there, but i ordered the same pair of cables for my lsi9s in the front and i completely agree with what he said. they sounded louder and more full. senor frank did not let me down with this set of cables.

on a different note, if you want some great music to test speakers, look for an album called friday night in san francisco. its a couple of guys on various acoustic guitars that play amazing music. there are parts where they are hitting the cords so fast and its amazing to hear how clear the music can be.

dorokusai

Aequitas - Great comment, and the suggestion in music sounds interesting.

Have fun!

phuz

Good review, and thanks for the input. A set of Frank's bi-wires are on my list of things to get. I'm just waiting on a response on if he can make some silver bi-wires

mantis

I very nice review and I enjoyed reading it.

It's so much fun to change things in ones system and get positive results.

Dan

dcarlson

Isn't there a burn in on those? If so, they should get a little better.

Enjoy!

PolkThug

Sounds like you made a good purchase. Size wise, do the Ultra double runs sum to greater than 12 awg?

aequitas

i beleive...and im just going off the top of my head, but the double runs are 10 awg and come with the bfa bananas or ap spades standard (you pick what you want for termination on each side).

dorokusai

It's 10 AWG wire, but the bundle is actually bigger.

stereo55

Nice write up .... just what I wanted to hear , as I will be making my first Signal Cable purchases this week .

janmike

Isn't there a burn in on those? If so, they should get a little better.

I received the cables last Thursday and last night I increased the load with U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name at -20dB. What a difference. You are right Dave, they seem to get better as time goes by.

SDA SRS 1.2

With my purchase Frank enclosed a note recommending a minimum 50 hour burn in period and he's right, I can hear an improvement. Couldn't be happier with 'em!

Robbie

dcarlson

Cool.

I recently bought some Kimber 8TC and when I first hooked them up they sounded exactly like the 4vs, which aren't bad at all but cost much less. I let them play for a good couple of weeks with no change (I wasn't really keeping track of time). I was questioning the purchase and was going to chalk it up as a lesson learned, then after the 4th week or so, my system changed for the better. More detail, less edge in highs tighter bass, the usual yada yada yada. The only thing that could have changed was the 8TC finally burning in. Now, I'm very happy with them.

dcarlson

Ah... Double post.