which cables?

kbm
kbm Posts: 16
edited January 2009 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hi polkies,

already learned a ton and received a ton of information from people on this board, thanks a bunch.

I got my hands on a pair of RTi12s and am building a stereo system up around them and have gotten to the point where Im deciding which cables to buy. I was wondering if there is any difference in brands of cables for my preout to amplifier connections as well as speaker wire. any recommendations?

I plan on having at least 120 watts from my receiver as well as 200 watts per speaker from external an amplifier(s). recommendations for preout to amp connectors? speaker wire to handle this load?

As far as price Id like to keep about 30 ft of cable under or around $100. I dont know how much preout to amp cables (are these RCA cables?) usually go for so I have no frame of reference on how much I need to spend.

Thanks again for all of your help!:)
Post edited by kbm on
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    Check out Audioquest and Signal Cable both are good and very reasonable.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2009
    Also check out Blue Jeans cable & Monoprice.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • kbm
    kbm Posts: 16
    edited January 2009
    thanks for the prompt responses and help guys! For the preout to amp connection would I want an analog interconnect? looks like the right connection but not sure at all. thanks a bunch.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2009
    BlueJeans Cable, Monoprice, Signal Cable. They've all got good choices that would fit that budget.

    Yes, the pre-out to amp cables are RCA cables...usually just referred to as analog interconnects.

    Canare 4S11 is a good budget speaker wire.

    http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm

    Bluejeans has the Canare wire for 1.05 a foot. So 30 feet would run ya about 32 bucks plus shipping. They'll terminate your wires with whatever connector you want as well for an additional charge. I believe some other sites have the Canare for a little less too.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited January 2009
    KB, yes there certainly is a difference in the brands of connecting cables and speaker wires that are available; that difference is that the price can vary by a thousand times or more. If you want to simply do the connecting job without getting ripped off there are suppliers that do this for a quite reasonable price. The two that Cathy mentioned, Blue Jeans(especially their Tartan brand)and MonoPrice are excellent examples.

    "RCA" is actually the name of the plugs on the end of connecting cables(which are generally coaxial cables), not the cables themselves. An example of cables which can be used for connecting your pre-amp and amp are these MonoPrice cables . There's no good reason to spend more than this.

    As to wire for connecting the speakers, MonoPrice also carries that at quite reasonable prices on the order of 20 cents a foot. Be aware that the "load" speaker wiring carries is actually quite modest compared to more demanding household items such as hotplates or hair dryers(which can continuously use over a thousand watts). Speakers use about 1 watt at a typical average comfortably loud listening level and on brief split-second peaks might get into the 100 watt area, but the wiring is never subjected to a really large load.
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  • kbm
    kbm Posts: 16
    edited January 2009
    John & comfortablycurt you guys are awesome. You just clarified so much. Thanks.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2009
    kbm wrote: »
    John & comfortablycurt you guys are awesome. You just clarified so much. Thanks.

    Yeah...I get that a lot. It's my curse...all this damn awesomeness...:p
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • timmythugs
    timmythugs Posts: 71
    edited January 2009
    Monster. HAHA. People dont like them because they are the best. They just cost a lot
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited January 2009
    timmythugs wrote: »
    Monster. HAHA. People dont like them because they are the best. They just cost a lot

    ?????
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    timmythugs wrote: »
    Monster. HAHA. People dont like them because they are the best. They just cost a lot

    :confused::confused::confused: Do you run Monster with your Bose:)
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited January 2009
    I'm looking at some Audioquest Type 4 cables, i see some come with factory spades and others with factory banana plugs. Is one of those two a better connection or is it more personal preference? Just asking because i have always just used bare wire connections.

    Oh and what gauge are the Audioquest Type 4 cables? I'm looking at some pairs on ebay but it doesn't say what gauge.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2009
    nothing wrong with use bare wire for speaker connections or even from an amp

    banana plug are great because they are easy to plug and unplug from the speakers and receivers/amps.

    I use banana plugs on every component that will allow me to use them on.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    metal83 wrote: »
    I'm looking at some Audioquest Type 4 cables, i see some come with factory spades and others with factory banana plugs. Is one of those two a better connection or is it more personal preference? Just asking because i have always just used bare wire connections.

    Oh and what gauge are the Audioquest Type 4 cables? I'm looking at some pairs on ebay but it doesn't say what gauge.


    I think its two different sizes per channel( 20 & 17 guage). I might be selling mine. Just bought some garden hoses.
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited January 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    I think its two different sizes per channel( 20 & 17 guage). I might be selling mine. Just bought some garden hoses.

    Hmm 20 & 17? I was under the impression that it was best to go with at least 16 or 14, maybe even 12. Is there something different about Audioquest where as you can get away with a thinner gauge?

    Also, i was on ebay and looking at a pair, i asked the seller if they were new and in the box and this is what he replied with-

    "No factory box. When I bought the cables I removed them from original packaging intending to use them and discarded the package. As it turned out I never used them. They are now wrapped in plastic. They are new and genuine, no fakes. Thanks, Mike"

    I guess i'm just paranoid buying because he had to point out they are not fakes when i never even asked him if they were.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    They're not thick at all. Do you want me to take some pictures of mine comparing them so you can get an idea of the size?

    They're good quality cables and I think they would sound better than your regular 14&16gauge wires. I think with the two wires they have it classified as 15 gauge.
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited January 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    They're not thick at all. Do you want me to take some pictures of mine comparing them so you can get an idea of the size?

    They're good quality cables and I think they would sound better than your regular 14&16gauge wires. I think with the two wires they have it classified as 15 gauge.

    Yeah if you have the time and it's not to much of a bother, i wouldn't mind seeing some pictures comparing them. :)
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    metal83 wrote: »
    Yeah if you have the time and it's not to much of a bother, i wouldn't mind seeing some pictures comparing them. :)

    PM sent
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited January 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    PM sent

    Thanks. :)
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2009
    timmythugs wrote: »
    Monster. HAHA. People dont like them because they are the best. They just cost a lot

    What? Those cables are worth less than a piece of gum on the bottom of my shoe. :confused::confused: They are NOT the best...are you joking or serious?:confused::confused:
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited January 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    nothing wrong with use bare wire for speaker connections or even from an amp

    banana plug are great because they are easy to plug and unplug from the speakers and receivers/amps.

    I use banana plugs on every component that will allow me to use them on.

    I'm thinking of 'retro fitting' all my bare wire speaker connections to banana plugs.

    Do you need a crimp tool, or should I solder them on?

    Thanks!

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2009
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    I'm thinking of 'retro fitting' all my bare wire speaker connections to banana plugs.

    Do you need a crimp tool, or should I solder them on?

    Thanks!

    If your looking for something easy to connect bare wire to or so you can switch out speakers easily this might help.

    http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l182/leroyjr1/IMG_0500.jpg?t=1232314229

    http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/Speaker_cable_termination.pdf
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited January 2009
    The Type 4 is an awesome cable, for the price I don't think you can beat it.
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