Best value interconnects????

derek_murray
derek_murray Posts: 41
edited January 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
Hi I am looking to make some upgrades to my system. It consists of SDA-1 w/ original tweeters. harman kardon 7200 as my pre/pro and and OCM 500 as my amplifier. The source is a toshiba 3960 modded by Madmax. I also run everything through a BBE 442I. Everything is connected with radioshack interconnects. I would like to replace all the interconnects to see the difference but really get confused with all the different opinions. I need to get at least 3 pairs but most likely 5 pairs because I am putting together a system for the bedroom. All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Derek Murray
Post edited by derek_murray on
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  • SLOCOOKN
    SLOCOOKN Posts: 704
    edited January 2007
    Derek,
    You can look up signal cable, zebra cables, cobalt and bluejean cables.
    Congrats on the BBE!
    :eek: From the bottom it looks like a steep incline, From the top another down hill slope of mine.:mad: But I know the equilibrium's there!:cool: .."Faith No More" :D
    Sony cx985v (for now)
    BBE 482i
    B&K AVP 1030
    Adcom GFA 555 mk 2
    AudioQuest Crystal 2 spk wire
    Nordost RCA
    SDA 3.1 tl RD0 tweets
    Belkin pf60
    Carver TFM 55x
    Signal Analog 2 RCA
    AudioQuestType 4
    VMPS Original Tall Boy (Mega Woofers soon)
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited January 2007
    www.signalcable.com

    Talk to Frank... tell 'em you're with Club Polk. He'll give you a 5% discount on what is already a steal at twice the price. Plus I believe there's a 30-day money back guarantee (which I'm almost certain you won't use...)

    Also, tell him your system's needs and he'll set you up with cables suited to you -- not just try to sell you the most expensive cable in his inventory.

    He supports our Forum in many ways. And as such, I will always support his products.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2007
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    www.signalcable.com

    Talk to Frank... tell 'em you're with Club Polk. He'll give you a 5% discount on what is already a steal at twice the price. Plus I believe there's a 30-day money back guarantee (which I'm almost certain you won't use...)

    Also, tell him your system's needs and he'll set you up with cables suited to you -- not just try to sell you the most expensive cable in his inventory.

    He supports our Forum in many ways. And as such, I will always support his products.


    Ditto. Signal Cables are excellent. I have heard good thinks about BlueJean Cables as well, but I've never heard them.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited January 2007
    I've owned both and Signal ran laps around BlueJeans in my system.
    Though I do believe that BJC is an excellent value...
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • derek_murray
    derek_murray Posts: 41
    edited January 2007
    Thanks for all the quick feedback. I really appreciate it. Besides this anyone have any suggestions on a next step for my setup. I have thought about trying to upgrade my tweeters and perhaps even my crossovers in the SDAs but I don't know how to solder so the crossovers might not be a good first project.
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  • SLOCOOKN
    SLOCOOKN Posts: 704
    edited January 2007
    derek_murray wrote:
    Thanks for all the quick feedback. I really appreciate it. Besides this anyone have any suggestions on a next step for my setup. I have thought about trying to upgrade my tweeters and perhaps even my crossovers in the SDAs but I don't know how to solder so the crossovers might not be a good first project.

    The tweets would be an easy upgrade then cross over and sda cable, new amps, dedicated 20 amp circut, bass traps..the budget is the limit...Just do one thing at a time and take the time to enjoy each change!
    :eek: From the bottom it looks like a steep incline, From the top another down hill slope of mine.:mad: But I know the equilibrium's there!:cool: .."Faith No More" :D
    Sony cx985v (for now)
    BBE 482i
    B&K AVP 1030
    Adcom GFA 555 mk 2
    AudioQuest Crystal 2 spk wire
    Nordost RCA
    SDA 3.1 tl RD0 tweets
    Belkin pf60
    Carver TFM 55x
    Signal Analog 2 RCA
    AudioQuestType 4
    VMPS Original Tall Boy (Mega Woofers soon)
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  • ronnie
    ronnie Posts: 150
    edited January 2007
    you cant go wrong with blue jeans cables....AR makes grat cables too. i have them both and never looked back...i never dealt with signalcable so i cant say anything about them, just stay away from Monster Cable
    Yamaha RX-V2600
    Adcom GFA555 x 2 :D
    Yamaha CD685 cd changer
    Yamaha Dvd c950 dvd changer
    Polk RTi12 mains
    Polk CSi3 center
    Polk psw303
    Polk RTi6 (surround and surround back)
    Acoustic Research 12in 200 watt sub(8 years old and still hits hard:D)
    WindyWillys cooling fan (works great)
    Mitsubishi 52in big screen
    blue jeans cables
    AR interconnects
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited January 2007
    Definitely go tweeter upgrade. Easy to do, realtively inexpensive (compared to the srs and tl series) with good results.
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

    Polk SDA CRS+,
    Creek Audio 5350 SE,
    Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
    HRT Music Streamer II
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  • BaggedLancer
    BaggedLancer Posts: 6,371
    edited January 2007
    Personally, I like www.knukonceptz.com. Great cable at a great value.

    Also, try www.viperav.com. DO NOT pay their retail prices, email them and ask for a best price via email. Wait till you see the difference :) Great cables as well.

    I've written reviews with pictures on both cables on this forum, just search for them.
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  • derek_murray
    derek_murray Posts: 41
    edited January 2007
    slocookn, I actually already have a dedicated 20 amp breaker for my amplifier and another one for my video eqipment T.V. and dvd player. As far as upgrading amplifiers I actually think the amp I have right now is pretty good. I really haven't listened to many things though so who knows.
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited January 2007
    I have a bunch of AQ stuff, lower-end (Sidewinder, Type 2, Type 4). They are all good value, especially at BB closeout prices last year.

    Also, I second Signal cable. I got some double run speaker cable, and it is very impressive for the price, sonically, asthetically, weights a bunch.

    Looks like a REAL speaker cable. Check them out.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2007
    <$65/pr: Signal cable
    $65-$100/pr: Kimber PBJ.
    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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  • SLOCOOKN
    SLOCOOKN Posts: 704
    edited January 2007
    derek_murray wrote:
    slocookn, I actually already have a dedicated 20 amp breaker for my amplifier and another one for my video eqipment T.V. and dvd player. As far as upgrading amplifiers I actually think the amp I have right now is pretty good. I really haven't listened to many things though so who knows.

    I was not knocking you amp in the least!:). This (for most) starts out a short trip and is a never ending journey. :) It sounds like you are fatrher on your journey than I thought! GREAT JOB!
    :eek: From the bottom it looks like a steep incline, From the top another down hill slope of mine.:mad: But I know the equilibrium's there!:cool: .."Faith No More" :D
    Sony cx985v (for now)
    BBE 482i
    B&K AVP 1030
    Adcom GFA 555 mk 2
    AudioQuest Crystal 2 spk wire
    Nordost RCA
    SDA 3.1 tl RD0 tweets
    Belkin pf60
    Carver TFM 55x
    Signal Analog 2 RCA
    AudioQuestType 4
    VMPS Original Tall Boy (Mega Woofers soon)
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2007
    SLOCOOKN wrote:
    Derek,
    You can look up signal cable, zebra cables, cobalt and bluejean cables.
    Congrats on the BBE!

    ditto... all good inexpensive cables.

    tweeter upgrade should be your next step.. it's a no brainer.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Lsi9
    Lsi9 Posts: 616
    edited January 2007
    I prefer Zebra over any of the others, great quality and reasonable prices. The speaker wire is extremly well priced for the value.

    Audio Physic Scorpio II
    Pathos Logos
    MIT Shotgun S3
    Bada HD-22 CDP
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited January 2007
    give audio art cables a try, they are a little bit more expensive than signal but these are some the smoothest sounding cables out there with dead quiet background and lots of detail, they are also very flexible if you have tight spots to run cables. www.audioartcable.com a lot of people are replacing their expensive cables with these. not associated with audio art but a very happy owner/listener.
    marvin
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • derek_murray
    derek_murray Posts: 41
    edited February 2007
    Intrested in some more opinions plz?
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2007
    derek_murray wrote:
    Intrested in some more opinions plz?

    If you are asking about cables, there have been at least 10 recomendations of the usual suspects. Signal, Kimber, BlueJean, Zebra, AR, Cobalt, AudioQuest, Audio Art, Knukonceptz, Viper. If you can't find something to your liking there, you might as well go no-name generic stuff. JohnK (and others) will be glad to guide you in that direction.

    Other than that if you are looking for other improvements, the tweeters is next and then I would consider a better source. Modded or not I think you could do better for a CDP.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • edbert
    edbert Posts: 1,041
    edited February 2007
    Another vote for BlueJeans cable. I had a lot of questions about different types of video cables and they answered everything and promptly. I also ordered my speaker cable Monday morning and it was at my house by 11am yesterday. Great service and shipping to go along with great prices goes along way in my book. I haven't had experience with anything else besides Monster, and the quality by looks alone of the BJC versus Monster is night and day. I just can't wait to hear how it sounds.
    I know just enough to be dangerous, but don't tell my wife, she thinks I'm a genius. :D

    Pioneer VSX-816
    Monitor 40's - fronts, bi-amped
    Monitor 30's - surrounds
    CS1 - center
    PSW10 - I'll let you guess
    Blue Jeans Cable - speaker cable
    Daewoo 27 incher - one step up from a console
    Sony Progressive scan DVD
    XBOX

    SOPA since 2008
    Here's my stuff.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2007
    PBJ's can be had at $25 to $45 on ebay.
    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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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited February 2007
    Danger, are you still using the Raymond cables?
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited February 2007
    I am useing Reality cables and Z-squared I/C,Bogden Goldy's.
    and Mac palladium soundpipes,all are excellant.
    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
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited February 2007
    shack wrote:
    If you are asking about cables, there have been at least 10 recomendations of the usual suspects. Signal, Kimber, BlueJean, Zebra, AR, Cobalt, AudioQuest, Audio Art, Knukonceptz, Viper. If you can't find something to your liking there, you might as well go no-name generic stuff. JohnK (and others) will be glad to guide you in that direction.

    I love you Shack. You took the words right out of my mouth. Several people have given alot of cable recommendations.. then he comes in and wants even more cable recommendations.. dude... read the thread. those are some of the best cable deals we know about. Take the info and do your own research. :confused:
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited February 2007
    Shizelbs wrote:
    Danger, are you still using the Raymond cables?


    Yes i still am in my two channel rig hooked up between the DAC and pre and between the pre and amp i'm using Cobalts. I like both cables equally. I also use the Raymond cables in my computer rig as well.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • iskandam
    iskandam Posts: 704
    edited January 2008
    I'm looking to move into separates and since I have no experience in this I need the expertise of all you seasoned audiophiles. I'm planning on getting the Signal cable RCAs but can't decide between the Analog One and Two. How big of a leap in sound quality should be expected between them?

    While we're on the subject of comparison, might as well throw it out there for the Ultra vs Classic speaker cables as well... Is the price difference comparable to the improvement in sound quality?
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2008
    if you want nice cables then you could just jump into some MIT Shotguns and be done for a very long long time if not for ever.

    RT1
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2008
    If you're looking for another option, check out these guys. I have their David Series digital cable & analog cables. Fantastic products. Go used or be ready to take out a second mortgage. https://www.virtualdynamics.ca/content.php
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited January 2008
    Virtual Dynamics make great cables but I think the price is off the map. I actually do own one David Series PC and will probably end up buy the Nite 3 series PC. Remember, you can bargain with these guys if you buy direct. Those Canadians are such an easy push over.

    PS - My MIT IC's are here to stay - right Ted!
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    I don't know your budget but Anything by DH LAbs is excellent for the money. Check Audiogon for sales.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2008
    Anyone know where to get silver ICs for less than a Franklin:rolleyes:
    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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