Up and Coming Audiophool - New interconnects and speaker cable
Polkitup2
Posts: 1,622
Well, I went for a little over a year without any audio hardware purchases or modifications. I celebrated my 1 year audio purchase celibacy by buying new interconnects and speaker cables. I replaced my Outlaw Audio PCB interconnects with an Audioquest Viper between my Denon 3910 source and my Outlaw pre. I also replaced the Outlaw between my pre and my NAD amp with a Diamondback. The upgrade was an immediate and very noticeable improvement. The sound seemed crisper and more detailed but the main quality I noticed was improved slam. By slam I mean sudden changes in sound level seemed razor sharp and just seemed to have more impact. I have tried a few different cables and to me they all sound different. I tried Cobalt interrconnects and just did not care for them.
Now the speaker cables replacement surprised me. Wasn't expecting much other than a shorter length, better termination, and a nicer look. I was using Straightwire Stage cables ($125) and replaced them with Audioquest type 8 cables. Another immediate improvement, while I did not notice a difference in the tone of the music, the mechanics were much better. The center image was much more fixed in space and the instruments just seemed more individually defined than before. With the old cables I would look at my center speaker sitting on top of my tv and think that the center image almost sounds as if it is coming from the center speaker. Now it sounds 100% like the center image is coming from the the center speaker. Also, before it seemed that the female vocals would float around in an area the size of a basketball, now they are fixed to a much smaller area in space.
Very happy with the upgrades. I wonder if I spend more money if it could sound better. Hmmmmm
Now the speaker cables replacement surprised me. Wasn't expecting much other than a shorter length, better termination, and a nicer look. I was using Straightwire Stage cables ($125) and replaced them with Audioquest type 8 cables. Another immediate improvement, while I did not notice a difference in the tone of the music, the mechanics were much better. The center image was much more fixed in space and the instruments just seemed more individually defined than before. With the old cables I would look at my center speaker sitting on top of my tv and think that the center image almost sounds as if it is coming from the center speaker. Now it sounds 100% like the center image is coming from the the center speaker. Also, before it seemed that the female vocals would float around in an area the size of a basketball, now they are fixed to a much smaller area in space.
Very happy with the upgrades. I wonder if I spend more money if it could sound better. Hmmmmm
Post edited by Polkitup2 on
Comments
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Good write-up...You deserve to treat yourself after going a full year without any upgrades:D
I'm also a fan of Audioquest,in the process of upgrading i/c's for our 2-channel set-up at the moment....Then going to start in on the HT rig. -
I hate you cable guys. Yes I know there is a difference to be heard, as I have auditioned a couple of other polkies cables, I just cant afford anything more than my wal-mart cheapies.
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It's just a matter of setting a reasonable limit. My Kimber Hero's were more expensive than I though I'd ever go (and I won't go any higher), but were worth the extra coin. Generally my personal rule is $125 for IC's, $300 for speaker cable---if I can't get it done on that budget, it won't get done---OR, I've some seriously lacking equipment to begin with.
I only run the premium cables on my main source and pre-to-amp connection, everything else gets Kimber PBJ's.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 -
The PBJs are no slouch. If I could afford it I'd run them for my whole system.
