AudioQuest Cables/ICs Question

kitjv

I know that this topic is one of the most contentious in audio circles. Nevertheless, I would really appreciate your input.

I am trying several AudioQuest cables & ICs that I borrowed from my local dealer. So far, I am pleasured with the Type 4 cables & the Diamondback ICs. The sonic difference between these & lower grade AudioQuest is noticeable. I am curious if the benefit/cost ratio starts to diminish from here if I move up the AudioQuest product line? Anyone with personal experience in this area? Thank you.

woofiepaws

My local store let me take home a pair of Pikes Peak speaker cables. Comapred to my Kimber 8TCs they were much clearer and more detailed in my 2 channel system. I ended up buying a pair of Mont Blancs, the replacement model for the Pikes Peaks. Very detailed, beautiful highs, great bass. See if your dealer wll let you demo a pair and try them for yourself.

Next come Audioquest ICs.

steveinaz

Only you can decide if moving up in price will be worth it. Personally, I preferred the (cheaper) Copperhead to the Diamondback, but this hobby is all about personal preference. I later went with Kimber Hero, and I won't spend anymore money than what I spent on the Hero's.

2-tall

I am using the type 4 and have tried the sidewinders, copperhead and the diamondbacks.Found the diamondbacks clearer on the high end and the mids.

steveinaz

Using AQ Type 4, I can understand your preference for Diamondback. With AQ Granite speaker cables (what I had at the time), I found Diamondback to sound too "dry." Type 4 has more treble presence than Granite, IMO, and would work better with the Diamondback. (I also owned Type 4's at one time).

shack

I've used AudioQuest G-snakes, Sidewinders, Copperheads and Diamondbacks. I really liked the Diamondbacks...but the Copperheads were very close in SQ so I gave the budget a break and I am using the Copperheads right now.

shack

I used to use AQ type 4 speaker cables but ended up with Signal Cable instead. Again a close call and either one is good.

mantis

kitjv wrote: »

I know that this topic is one of the most contentious in audio circles. Nevertheless, I would really appreciate your input.

I am trying several AudioQuest cables & ICs that I borrowed from my local dealer. So far, I am pleasured with the Type 4 cables & the Diamondback ICs. The sonic difference between these & lower grade AudioQuest is noticeable. I am curious if the benefit/cost ratio starts to diminish from here if I move up the AudioQuest product line? Anyone with personal experience in this area? Thank you.

Very good question. I ask this to myself all the time. Here's the skinny on Audioquest.

Audioquest from the cheapest to the most high end cable they make, they get it right off the bat. I have found that there cables sound better then everything I have tried dollar to dollar. I have yet to find a cable that out performed there cables in the same price class.

Type 4 speaker wire is incredible for the money. You should hear the inwall 14-2. If you do a price to performance ratio, it would go off the charts. That cable sounds awesome. I use it in my personal system for rears and center. I also use it from time to time in the mains when I use my onwall Speakers for fronts or mains. I own Cv8's and have no worries that I'm missing anything when I switch out my floor standing speakers and go onwall with the 14-2.

IC's I use all Jaguars but I also have owned and tested everything under them and against them including ATA 1.1 which is there custom IC cable . I build all my custom lengths and tested that cable again everything up to the Jaguars. I find it to be a incredibly detailed and great cable. Again for the money that cable cost plus the RCA ends the value goes threw the roof.

You cannot go wrong with Audioquest. You need to figure out the level of your system and find what makes the right cable. If you list all your gear I could tell you exaclty where you should cut off.

Audiophile systems can get out of hand and Audioquest makes cables to support that. I find no reason to keep going up unless your system can unlock the very slight differences there are in all there cables. From the Sidwinders and up, you will find they all do there job well.

phipiper10

I also have nothing but good things to say about AQ. Where the point of diminishing returns lies is up to you and your system however.

I have CV-6 speaker cables just like in the FM now and King Cobra ICs and I'm very happy. I bought both used and they always bested the competition head to head. Granted I've never tried anything in a much higher price range.

Buy used do a comparison and decide for yourself - it's half the fun - at least to me. If you aren't satisfied sell for what you paid.

Good luck!

Mantis - Should I bother to keep going up the AQ chain on either the speaker wire or the ICs?

Willow

FWIW, I prefered my combo of AQ Copperhead and Diamondback over my current DB and SC II.

I prefer the sound of the DB over CH , but if I had to buy new I would opt for the CH.

I am blown away by the AQ indigo speaker cables I have, it's a shame that I will not be able to use them in my future set up as the length will not work. :mad:

vonnie123

I prefer the Diamondbacks over the Copperheads. The molded plugs on the Copperheads don't seem as durable, and are inferior to the Diamondback plugs. Both cables sound very good. I use the Diamondbacks between the pre/pro, and my two amps (2-channel, and 7 channel). I use the Copperheads between the SACD multi oututs to the pre-pro. Additionally, I just purchased some of Ben's Silver ICs, which I am still breaking in; they are very good custom cables at a fair price. The silver ICs are used for the CD and DVD 2-channel outputs to the pre-pro. I am happy with my cabling setup.

venomclan

I just purchased some Columbia 48v DBS I/C's and really like them. I now use Type 4 cables and am eager to see how the DBS cables perform against those.
Venom