Even inexpensive cables can make a difference

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,545
edited September 2008 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I decided to replace the 49 cent hair-thin, plastic molded IC's on the vintage rig in the 70's mancave. Just wanted something of more substantial build--but cheap. Went to Monoprice.com and ordered 2 sets of their 6ft "premium" interconnects, at a whopping $3.23/each (product # 2864).

The premium features RG-59 wire, thick insulation, and nice gold plated connectors--hard to believe their making any money on these things at the price. Not expecting much, they surprised me by taming an overly "zippy" treble, and seem to squeeze a little more bass foundation. Impressive for such a cheap cable. The HPM's sound far smoother now, and less in-your-face.

Give them a look if your wanting an inexpensive alternative to the cheapies included with your equipment.
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
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Comments

  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2008
    I used them a while back when determining lengths needed for a few runs. I agree, they're comparable to Monster, for much less.

    Just a word of warning, they can have a death grip on some components, so use a little deoxit on the ends to protect your gear.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited September 2008
    Face
    True--they are kinda tight, not "Monster" tight, but close. I had an old set of Monster in the attic, I could not get those POS to plug in. They are now residing in my trash can.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2008
    All the gear I have purchased from Monoprice has been very high quality and very low priced, ICs included. Thanks for the review Steve.
    Jake
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited September 2008
    I've been pleased with both Monoprice and Blue Jeans Cables; both are very affordable.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited September 2008
    You'll like the optical cable, I have 3 of them--nice build.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited September 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I've been pleased with both Monoprice and Blue Jeans Cables; both are very affordable.

    For the record BJC makes a kick **** HDMI cable for the money. :)

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • Hilbert
    Hilbert Posts: 316
    edited September 2008
    Just yesterday I received a couple pair of blue jeans cable basic RCA stereo cables. They replaced (i) the hair thin RCA cables that came with my Yamaha cd player, and (ii) a couple of cables I found in a drawer. Very pleased and surprised by improvement in sound.

    Let's not forget banana plugs: $20 for 4 at BB vs. about $7 at BJC, and BJC seems at first glance anyway to be better quality.
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  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,871
    edited September 2008
    Keiko wrote: »
    Cool...Ya know, I'm such a dumbazz Steve. Until very recent I didn't know that the little domed plastic thingy on the end of a toslink cable needed to be removed. No wonder I could never get a tight connection. OK...you bastiches can kick me in da nuts now. :o

    my son called me with that very same problem about a month ago.....lol

    told him no pakalolo before setting up the audio

    nice score with the ps3 I have been wavering on buying one

    have you played any movies with it yet?

    enjoy your new toy :)
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited September 2008
    Monster cables are all through my carver mono bloc...
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited September 2008
    Impact Acoustics makes an outstanding Toslink cable as well, about $49, but it's actual quartz-glass---not plastic.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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