Preferred speaker cable

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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited July 2008
    Eventually, all will embrace Bruce Brisson....if we have to resort to violence, so be it.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited July 2008
    Eventually, all will embrace Bruce Brisson....if we have to resort to violence, so be it.

    Yep and the lashings will be administered with 12 gauge wire because double blind A/B testing has determined that's all it's good for.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited July 2008
    RutgersFTW wrote: »
    I was using generic 12 gauge unterminated and was happy with it,

    You might try 10 ga solid core romex electrical wire. It's all I use and it appears to add nothing to the music that wasn't already there. When you first hook it up, it might not sound so good but that's because all the boominess and distortion will be gone so it will sound a lot less loud. That means it's working. All that's left is the clean, clear, and crisp detail of the music.

    It has a 0/10 on the waf (willing accomplice factor) but that's life.

    You might be able to use a thinner wire than 10 ga but I've always stuck with the 10.
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  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited July 2008
    candyliquor35m wrote: »
    It has a 0/10 on the waf (willing accomplice factor) but that's life.
    QUOTE]

    My comment is admittedly off-topic, but I always thought that WAF stood for Wife Acceptance Factor. Oh well, I learn something new every day.
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited July 2008
    Norm, it does. CL lives in his own little make believe world.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited July 2008
    candyliquor35m wrote: »
    You might try 10 ga solid core romex electrical wire. It's all I use and it appears to add nothing to the music that wasn't already there. When you first hook it up, it might not sound so good but that's because all the boominess and distortion will be gone so it will sound a lot less loud. That means it's working. All that's left is the clean, clear, and crisp detail of the music.

    It has a 0/10 on the waf (willing accomplice factor) but that's life.

    You might be able to use a thinner wire than 10 ga but I've always stuck with the 10.

    Heh, I just image searched this and you weren't lying about its beauty. :) This seems like a great choice for the in-wall installation I have planned for next summer, though.
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited July 2008
    F1nut wrote: »
    Norm

    All my comments including my sig are tried, true and tested or I wouldn't be making them in the first place. I can't speak for some of you but it appears 2 or 3 of you are trying to make it on Russ's list :D :

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=854587&postcount=59
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited July 2008
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=884740&postcount=70
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    Updated...
    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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  • mdschlayer
    mdschlayer Posts: 209
    edited July 2008
    Wanted to throw out my mini-review of a speaker wire comparison I've been doing. I have Kimber Kable 8TC, Kimber Kwik 12, Tara Labs RSC Prime 500, Blue Jeans (Belden) 5000UE, Monster XP, and generic Guitar Center speaker wire.
    The winner for me was the Kimber 8TC. Transparent highs, natural mids, and tight bass. The Tara Prime 500 had better bass, same mids, but highs seemed a little choked. But not by much. The Kimber Kwik 12 had overly bright highs and lacking lows. The Blue Jeans cable (12 guage) was the worst. Highs were dampened horribly, mids were reserved and just not right, and lows okay. Maybe they needed broke in more (only listened about 10 hours) but I doubt they would have opened up enough to compete with the Kimber. The Monster XP surprisingly wasn't that bad - frequencies seemed balanced okay, but just in the class of Kimber or Tara Labs. The Guitar Center wire (16 guage?) wasn't horrible either, but the highs werent there and bass was boomy.
    I'll be happy with my 8TC for quite a few years I think.
    I'm using a Bryston 2B-LP amp, Tascam CD-A700 source.
    LSi15's, LSiC, LSiF/x's, LSi7's, vr3 crossover upgrades, SVS PC-12 Plus, SVS SB-16 Ultra, Marantz AV8805, Parasound amps, LG OLED65C9PUA, Clarus Crimson, Signal Cable, Atlas Cable, Shunyata and Synergistic A/C conditioning, dedicated Cardas 30A and Furutech 20A AC lines, Box Furniture, Solid Tech ROS, Symposium roller blocks
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  • mdschlayer
    mdschlayer Posts: 209
    edited July 2008
    Forgot to mention two other cables. Signal Cable Ultra II and Bryston.
    I ordered a pair of 6 ft speaker cables directly from Bryston. They are good, but the mids were washy - not detailed and separated like the Kimber 8TC and Tara Prime 500. I will be selling these in the Flea Market soon, as I can't return to Bryston.
    The Signal Cable was very similar. Good bass and pretty good highs, but the mids didn't have the instrument separation of the Kimber and Tara. I can see why everyone is high on Signal - the quality was outstanding, and very thick cables. The sound was almost as good as pricier versions, but once I heard a better cable, I couldn't settle for less. Even though the Kimbers cost about 50% more.
    The one brand I didn't try that I'd like to is Audioquest. Very good reviews, but have never heard it. There are so many lines, I don't know which one would compare to or beat out the 8TC for roughly the same money.
    LSi15's, LSiC, LSiF/x's, LSi7's, vr3 crossover upgrades, SVS PC-12 Plus, SVS SB-16 Ultra, Marantz AV8805, Parasound amps, LG OLED65C9PUA, Clarus Crimson, Signal Cable, Atlas Cable, Shunyata and Synergistic A/C conditioning, dedicated Cardas 30A and Furutech 20A AC lines, Box Furniture, Solid Tech ROS, Symposium roller blocks
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2008
    MIT,,Sig. Cable and currently trying some Grovers
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited July 2008
    Has anyone tried out Anti-Cables? I'm intrigued by their price and ethos.
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited July 2008
    Not tried, but others on the forum have and the report was not exactly glowing. (well, ok, the reports I heard sucked to the point I was not interested in giving them a try)

    YMMV

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited July 2008
    McLoki wrote: »
    Not tried, but others on the forum have and the report was not exactly glowing. (well, ok, the reports I heard sucked to the point I was not interested in giving them a try)

    YMMV

    Michael
    Ouch. (funny, though)
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
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  • GEBBY44
    GEBBY44 Posts: 939
    edited July 2008
    Doctor R wrote: »
    I have been using Zu cables for about two years. Started with the Julian and then moved up to the Wax. They are very complimetary between my EL34 tubes and my Monitor 7Bs.

    I'm a big fan of the Zu's, also, even with my solid state setup. I've used both the Julian's and now just upgraded to the Wax and prefer both to my Signal Ultra's. A little more detailed and more involvement to the music. Zu builds some really nice cables. Very well-built.
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited July 2008
    RutgersFTW wrote: »
    Ouch. (funny, though)

    Here is a quote from a thread where Russman was selling a pair....
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    Cleaning out the cable closet, all good stuff, just no where to hook it all up.

    Bunch of cables for sale (including anti-cables) deleted...

    Everything listed here is a GREAT value for the $, short of the Anti Cables. They are a joke imo, ymmv. High end cables on the cheap, come get em.

    Cheers,
    Russ



    That would be considered an Ouch, and from a member that has tried more cables that I ever care to.
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited July 2008
    I'll throw my 2 cents in here. I use Mapleshades speaker wire and the companion Excalibur ribbon IC's.
    http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/doublehelixspeakercable.php
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited July 2008
    Affordable Audio just gave Anti a glowing review of both their interconnects and speaker wire. The speaker wire was described as a "steal for the price", with the normal jargon describing improved bass, veils being lifted, and wires just letting the music play.

    Perhaps Russ didn't give them the required 500 hour break in to sound their best.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,184
    edited July 2008
    Perhaps.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2008
    possibly
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited July 2008
    Potentially?
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited July 2008
    perchance
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited July 2008
    Gaara wrote: »
    perchance
    Probably.
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    Updated...
    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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