New 2 Channel Setup Cable Suggestions

Harmonic technology.

I didn't notice a price range, and missed whatever current cables are being used. So, my recommendation is the entry Shunyata Venom cables (interconnects and power cables). Obviously, I am biased, but that is because almost every Shunyata product I have bought has exceeded my expectations.

xcapri79 wrote: »

...pay attention to the connections...

++1000 quality, tight connections make a big dif!

xcapri79 wrote: »

For speaker cables, I like securely connected spades or locking banana plugs.Also with cables, keep them as short as you can and minimize coiling.

ditto!

pkquat wrote: »

WOW a good cable thread so far . I'm not trying to derail it. I have been curious how affordible $50-100? $100-200? balanced compare to the super high end RCA, like MIT and AQ. Are they 90% there, 95%? If you have ADCOM, Krell, Parasound, McCormack equipment, and an average listening room (as found in most homes) when will the differences become really small?

Definitely a good cable thread.

I will try to address one of your questions.

My experience has been this:

The difference from stock cabling to low level cabling has been less dramatic, than the difference between mid-end cabling to high end cabling.

I speak from AQ experience, mostly.

But I have on hand Acoustic Zen products that I have been listening to for a bit now.

pkquat wrote: »

WOW a good cable thread so far . I'm not trying to derail it. I have been curious how affordible $50-100? $100-200? balanced compare to the super high end RCA, like MIT and AQ. Are they 90% there, 95%? If you have ADCOM, Krell, Parasound, McCormack equipment, and an average listening room (as found in most homes) when will the differences become really small?

Lots f variables to that question.

One's ability to hear....and listen can vary. The quality of the gear and speakers, quality of your listening environment/room. Lots of trial an error go into finding the right synergy your looking for what pleases your ears. One mans treasure is another mans ****.

Which is why I asked for your preferences in music and sound. Many good suggestions in this thread. AZ, MIT, Wireworld, Shunyata, AQ, Kimber, Harmonic Technology......and the list can go on and on.

Many of these brands you won't be familiar with, but many here are and can guide you to achieving the best results that you desire within your budget.

I was manly curious on the IC side of things, affordable balanced vs. the high end RCA. For speaker cables opinions and prices vary widely, so I guess with the amps etc. I already listed, I'll split IC question into two groups of speaker cable. The affordable (budget?) speaker cable Belden, Canare, lower priced Wireworld, roughly <$200 for most 10-15 ft cables, and the middle of the road <$500 cables (including some used) from AQ, MIT, Wireworld etc.

I guess I'll toss in a Parasound P5 (since it is regarded well here for the price and paired with the amps listed) or similar - slightly better separates (DAC & Pre) in to the equation to help round things out. The room is set up as a listening room, but not a dedicated one since it is often a living, family, bed, etc. room in the house. There is a sweet spot, and problem furniture has been moved or removed, but no real room treatments or detailed room studies. The speakers are vintage Polks with rebuilt crossovers, high end new Polks, and similar ones the same to slightly higher price range, because people here are familiar with their sound in general.

I'm asking the people with good ears, (and average ears) who notice this stuff more, think about it, have studied it, and spent the money on it. Its something they are interested in. What were the differences between low-mid balanced connections and ultra high end RCA? I am interested in how they compare below the nirvana, or perfect synergy point where many other things come into play.

In terms I understand better, I may have a high performance, non turbo / supercharged, engine that is designed to run on standard pump gas ($3/gal for 92-93), and driven on the street easily for over 100k miles. $5/gal race gas, can get a little bit more out of the motor, and be easier on it if you want to have fun at a track. $10+ race gas will be an improvement, but the gains will be small compared to $5/gal, especially for that type motor. While it can make the car faster, many other factors come into play at that point. Most people run regular, 88. 92 octane gas make the engine happy and is more fun for those who notice. That made the 80% range. $5/gal moved it the 90-95% range.

kharp1 wrote: »

... Monster Cable with the plastic center, excuse me, space age polymer air gap*, is the only way to go.

Is that*what that is? Goofy!

I wondered why that was inside this roll of MC 15 somebody gave me. I've seen cotton string doing something similar in AR 12 gauge.

seems obvious to me.

Nightfall wrote: »

F1nut wrote: »

Poor x

Period.

xcapri79 wrote: »

lightman1 wrote: »

Look at all the greenhouse gases created.
You could give your cables away instead of burning them.

Burning them??!! Is this not the correct process of burning cables? I was lead to believe this made them sound better. Please correct me if I've gone about this in the wrong manner.
I must admit that the idea was a bit extreme to take a $14,000 set of IC and set them alight. Only to place the charred remains in my hi-fi and be disappointed by the results.
Tell me me more about the burned cable theory and where I may have faltered in putting this to a real world scenario.