ICs for RTi10s w/ Emo & Yammy

mdaudioguy

I haven't messed with my setup for a little while now, but I'm starting to explore upgrading to better ICs. I posted this in 2-channel, as my primary concern is improving this aspect. Honestly, HT sounds great as is, but for the sake of putting everything on a level playing field, I'd like to upgrade all 5 of my ICs. I'm running everything right now through some Radio Shack a/v cables...

I know that all of my components scream "bright" to many of you, but I've been very satisfied by the overall sound. Occasionally, though, I do discern some harshness and some blurring of detail.

I've seen recommendations on here for SignalCable, AudioQuest, MIT, and the like. Has anybody tried the Emo cables? This may sound dumb, but I prefer the option to buy the cables in singles rather than in pairs. I hate the idea of only using half of one pair (for 5-channels).:o

And even within the brands, there are obviously different lines - i.e. SC has Analog One, Analog Two, and Silver Resolution. The description of the Analog Two's intrigues me - "Smooth highs, liquid Mids, Real Bass Extension!" - possibly what I'm looking for. And then the Silver Resolutions (at twice the price) are "The Ultimate in Accuracy, Our Reference!" If accuracy means no coloration, then perhaps this ISN'T what I'm looking for... I think what I need is a little warmth.

I know that no one can tell me how any of these will sound to my ears with my gear, but just looking for others who have upgraded ICs with similar gear. Ok, I've rambled enough...

concealer404

If you want to tame some harshness, and want to experiment without dumping some serious coin just yet, look at Signals and Audioquest Sidewinders.

Do NOT try the Signal Silvers. That probably won't help you. As for analog 1 vs. analog 2, i can't comment there, sorry.

mdaudioguy

I'm assuming that the shortest length available that will easily reach between my components is the correct way to go, as well as as the same length for all 5 cables, correct? I know, seems like a no-brainer. I see with both SC and AQ, I can order two pairs and a single. Any advantage to buying 5 singles?

concealer404

mdaudioguy wrote: »

I'm assuming that the shortest length available that will easily reach between my components is the correct way to go, as well as as the same length for all 5 cables, correct? I know, seems like a no-brainer. I see with both SC and AQ, I can order two pairs and a single. Any advantage to buying 5 singles?

I don't see any advantage, no....

Same length is a good thing, but i doubt you'd notice a difference.

zingo

If you want to tame a little, you could try Cardas. They can be on the warm side of things in some systems; but they always sound musical.

mdaudioguy

Well, I was closing in on a set of 5 AQ Sidewinders, and then I ran across this website: http://www.usedcable.com/

Has anybody purchased through here? Looks like some deals, but many are just single and pairs. Anybody see any issues with buying a nice pair of one brand for front L&R (for connection to a 2-channel amp) and 3 of another kind for center/surrounds (connected to a 3-channel amp)? I do enjoy 2-channel listening, but would there be any issues with HT across the front sound stage?

Hilbert

A year or so ago I upgraded from Radio Shack to Blue Jeans cables and was amazed by the improvement. When I asked the BJ people how to buy 5 cables, they said get 2 pairs and 1 subwoofer cable, sub cables and ICs the same except for the color.

Some of the brands mentioned in this thread are likely a bit better than BJC, but BJ is a lot better than radio shack and not frightfully expensive.

EDIT I ignored the question in post #6 because have no idea.

comfortablycurt

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Well, I was closing in on a set of 5 AQ Sidewinders, and then I ran across this website: http://www.usedcable.com/

Has anybody purchased through here? Looks like some deals, but many are just single and pairs. Anybody see any issues with buying a nice pair of one brand for front L&R (for connection to a 2-channel amp) and 3 of another kind for center/surrounds (connected to a 3-channel amp)? I do enjoy 2-channel listening, but would there be any issues with HT across the front sound stage?

There could be some minor issues with HT I suppose, but I've found that cables don't make as much of a difference in HT, compared to two channel music, which can be much more demanding, detailed and intricate.

Go for the set of 5 Sidewinders if you can...That's what I'm using in my 2 channel rig, and I'm very happy with them.

F1nut

zingo wrote: »

If you want to tame a little, you could try Cardas. They can be on the warm side of things in some systems; but they always sound musical.

Excellent suggestion.

I'm assuming that the shortest length available that will easily reach between my components is the correct way to go, as well as as the same length for all 5 cables, correct?

No and no.

BlueFox

comfortablycurt wrote: »

There could be some minor issues with HT I suppose, but I've found that cables don't make as much of a difference in HT, compared to two channel music, which can be much more demanding, detailed and intricate.

The correct answer here is "It depends". I upgraded the 5 ICs in my HT and was very happy. Sound was much more detailed, especially in the background realm; birds chirping, leaves rustling, footsteps, glass breaking, etc. Later I upgraded the speaker wire, and achieved even better results. So, at least for me, cables do matter in HT as well as 2 channel. In fact everything matters if you are looking to improve the sound.

I am ready to replace my front LSi15s with PSB Synchrony One towers just to squeak a bit more clarity, presence, etc. from the HT. I have already replaced the LSiC center with the PSB Syncrony One Center and it really widened and improved the sound stage. Using BR with its lossless audio is another money pit. :eek:

mdaudioguy

mdaudioguy wrote: »

I'm assuming that the shortest length available that will easily reach between my components is the correct way to go, as well as as the same length for all 5 cables, correct?

F1nut wrote: »

No and no.

Thanks, but can you elaborate? Are you saying that it doesn't matter so much?

mdaudioguy

comfortablycurt wrote: »

There could be some minor issues with HT I suppose, but I've found that cables don't make as much of a difference in HT, compared to two channel music, which can be much more demanding, detailed and intricate.

Go for the set of 5 Sidewinders if you can...That's what I'm using in my 2 channel rig, and I'm very happy with them.

Being snowed in has got me doing a bit of internet shopping... So, I've moved my def tech promonitors 800 into my family room as an upgrade to that system, but it's still missing a center. To that end, I'm ordering a dt procenter 1000, a pair of Polk RTi4s and mounts for back channels to replace the promonitors in my HT... So, I'm probably just going for a pair of cables to start with 2-channel. If I like what I hear, then 3 more will be in order.

mdaudioguy

In addition to the Sidewinders, I'm also looking at Copperhead and Diamondback, in RCA to RCA configuration. The Diamondback is available in an RCA to male XLR configuration, which my amp would accept. Is there any advantage to this?

concealer404

mdaudioguy wrote: »

In addition to the Sidewinders, I'm also looking at Copperhead and Diamondback, in RCA to RCA configuration. The Diamondback is available in an RCA to male XLR configuration, which my amp would accept. Is there any advantage to this?

You can be a hardass and tell everyone that you use XLR connections in your system.

It's just a different format. If you had true balanced in/outputs on your amp and your pre, then there MIGHT be an advantage.

But otherwise, XLR just sounds so much cooler when you say it than RCA does.

mdaudioguy

concealer404 wrote: »

You can be a hardass and tell everyone that you use XLR connections in your system.

It's just a different format. If you had true balanced in/outputs on your amp and your pre, then there MIGHT be an advantage.

But otherwise, XLR just sounds so much cooler when you say it than RCA does.

That's what I thought... that unless it's XLR at both ends, it probably wouldn't matter... but, there's always the coolness factor. On second thought, perhaps I should keep it simple and stick with RCA.

concealer404

mdaudioguy wrote: »

That's what I thought... that unless it's XLR at both ends, it probably wouldn't matter... but, there's always the coolness factor. On second thought, perhaps I should keep it simple and stick with RCA.

That's what i would do... keep it simple, stupid.

If i ever get an amp that does XLR, i mght think about it just because it's nifty and i heard it improves your quality of life, but on the other hand, i'm happy with my current RCAs, so that probably won't happen.

mdaudioguy

concealer404 wrote: »

That's what i would do... keep it simple, stupid.

If i ever get an amp that does XLR, i mght think about it just because it's nifty and i heard it improves your quality of life, but on the other hand, i'm happy with my current RCAs, so that probably won't happen.

Yeah, I'm just using an AVR as my pre, so it only has RCA out. Probably no reason or benefit to go unbalanced out to balanced in... Unbalanced plus balanced probably still equals unbalanced. Come to think of it, I don't even know what those terms mean, so yeah, I'll go with the KISS principle. Thanks!

concealer404

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Yeah, I'm just using an AVR as my pre, so it only has RCA out. Probably no reason or benefit to go unbalanced out to balanced in... Unbalanced plus balanced probably still equals unbalanced. Come to think of it, I don't even know what those terms mean, so yeah, I'll go with the KISS principle. Thanks!

To make it more confusing, your amp may not even have true balanced inputs. XLR does not necessarily mean balanced.

KISS principle is always a safe bet.

mdaudioguy

zingo wrote: »

If you want to tame a little, you could try Cardas. They can be on the warm side of things in some systems; but they always sound musical.

I'm intrigued by the warmth comment. I've been looking around, but it seems that Cardas is a little out of my budget right now, even used.

Does anyone have a feel for the AQ - Sidewinder/Copperhead vs. Diamondback? The architecture seems completely different - 2 vs. 3 conductors, respectively. Any thoughts on how this will affect clarity and warmth?

Face

I found SignalCable Analog II's on the warm side.

concealer404

mdaudioguy wrote: »

I'm intrigued by the warmth comment. I've been looking around, but it seems that Cardas is a little out of my budget right now, even used.

Does anyone have a feel for the AQ - Sidewinder/Copperhead vs. Diamondback? The architecture seems completely different - 2 vs. 3 conductors, respectively. Any thoughts on how this will affect clarity and warmth?

In my experiences, the Sidewinder is 90%+ the cable of the Diamondback at like... 33% of the price or something.

Sidewinders are nice entry level cables.

If you want warmth, then i'd say either Sidewinders or the Signals that Face mentioned.

Huck344

BlueFox wrote: »

I am ready to replace my front LSi15s with PSB Synchrony One towers just to squeak a bit more clarity, presence, etc. from the HT. :eek:

I love those speakers. Heard them for a few minutes in my local shop. Would be very interested in a review after you get them!

mdaudioguy

concealer404 wrote: »

In my experiences, the Sidewinder is 90%+ the cable of the Diamondback at like... 33% of the price or something.

Sidewinders are nice entry level cables.

If you want warmth, then i'd say either Sidewinders or the Signals that Face mentioned.

The Signals are definitely interesting to me, however I have a gift card for a place that sells AQ, so the reality is that, all other things being equal (and I'm sure they're not) $$ is driving my decision.

concealer404

mdaudioguy wrote: »

The Signals are definitely interesting to me, however I have a gift card for a place that sells AQ, so the reality is that, all other things being equal (and I'm sure they're not) $$ is driving my decision.

"Equal" in this case is a matter of opinion. I prefer "different" in this case.

Sidewinders are a great way to get your feet wet, and will grow with a system probably farther than most would give them credit for. I know people that will ONLY use Sidewinders in their setups, even when everything else goes a bit past "entry level."

I'd still be happy with Sidewinders in my system. Scarlet Vipers just happened to sound better. I wasn't blown away by Diamondbacks when compared with Sidewinders, and the Scarlet Vipers were far superior to my ears than either.

mdaudioguy

concealer404 wrote: »

Scarlet Vipers just happened to sound better. I wasn't blown away by Diamondbacks when compared with Sidewinders, and the Scarlet Vipers were far superior to my ears than either.

And, apparently, no longer available...

concealer404

mdaudioguy wrote: »

And, apparently, no longer available...

Not for quite some time, no.... Cross your fingers for me that mine never get damaged! :eek:

I would imagine that the Audio Advisor Exclusive Blue Racers would probably be the closest current equivalent. The Scarlet Vipers weren't technically part of the Audioquest line.

And again... that's just how they worked in my system. The Sidewinders sound like Scarlet Vipers, but the Vipers are just... more. Hard to explain. I would probably bet that on your setup, the Sidewinders would sound better than the Vipers, actually. I have a lot of warm gear. You don't.

mdaudioguy

concealer404 wrote: »

Not for quite some time, no.... Cross your fingers for me that mine never get damaged! :eek:

I would imagine that the Audio Advisor Exclusive Blue Racers would probably be the closest current equivalent. The Scarlet Vipers weren't technically part of the Audioquest line.

And again... that's just how they worked in my system. The Sidewinders sound like Scarlet Vipers, but the Vipers are just... more. Hard to explain. I would probably bet that on your setup, the Sidewinders would sound better than the Vipers, actually. I have a lot of warm gear. You don't.

Yeah, I had actually been reading your old thread from when you purchased your Scarlets and I'd been reading about Blue Racers and Black Mambas... Both appear to be good deals on quality cables, but I'm a little concerned about buying a cable that's too revealing. Leaning towards the Sidewinders. Thanks so much for your opinions.

Hawkeye

maudioguy, I have a pair of AQ Vipers sitting in the cable box. I'll also send a pair of AQ Corals for fun. Want to try them? No obligation on your part except to send them back when done. If interested, let me know!

Gordon

BlueFox

Huck344 wrote: »

I love those speakers. Heard them for a few minutes in my local shop. Would be very interested in a review after you get them!

I already have a pair in my living room two channel system. They replaced 20 year old SDA-2 speakers. I love them. They are so revealing you can hear all kinds of things in CDs you never knew were there before. Of course, I had to upgrade the speaker cables and add vibration isolation before everything became really clear.

One point is that I would listen to 2 channel music in the HT with the LSi15s and think they sound almost as good as the PSBs. Based on that observation, and that both models are 4 ohms, I bought the PSB Synchrony One Center for the HT, and it dropped right in. I did not have to adjust anything when I reran the setup. SPL was the same from all speakers. The PSB Center blends in perfectly with the LSi15s, but provides a bigger, clearer center. I really do not need to replace the LSi15s with PSB towers, but have the upgrade bug.

mdaudioguy

BlueFox wrote: »

I already have a pair in my living room two channel system. They replaced 20 year old SDA-2 speakers. I love them. They are so revealing you can hear all kinds of things in CDs you never knew were there before. Of course, I had to upgrade the speaker cables and add vibration isolation before everything became really clear.

One point is that I would listen to 2 channel music in the HT with the LSi15s and think they sound almost as good as the PSBs. Based on that observation, and that both models are 4 ohms, I bought the PSB Synchrony One Center for the HT, and it dropped right in. I did not have to adjust anything when I reran the setup. SPL was the same from all speakers. The PSB Center blends in perfectly with the LSi15s, but provides a bigger, clearer center. I really do not need to replace the LSi15s with PSB towers, but have the upgrade bug.

So, what ICs are you using in your HT? What are your impressions as to the effect they have versus everyday, run-of-the-mill ICs?

BlueFox

mdaudioguy wrote: »

So, what ICs are you using in your HT? What are your impressions as to the effect they have versus everyday, run-of-the-mill ICs?

Mapleshade Clearview Ultra-Thin with Plus

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ULTRATHIN

Everything became clearer, more detailed, precise, etc. with these cables. As described above, leaves rustling, glass breaking, footsteps, etc. are now more pronounced.

The replaced GoldX RCA IC cables from the Computer Cable Store.
http://www.computercablestore.com/GoldX_Audio_RCA_catID1317.aspx