Do not get rid of your extra cables

173.23.238.118

Posted on March 28, 2014 at 16:55:50

mt10425
Audiophile

Posts: 2399
Location: 3 hours west of Chicago
Joined: January 23, 2004

You may never know when they are a better fit in your system. I've spent months (years) adjusting my speakers to get the soundstage I wanted. I've come close. Now, like others here, I change cables seeking the sound I want. And, like others here, I put previously used cables in a box in the closet thinking, they don't work in my system. I'm here to say, you may be wrong about your used cables. I purchased Wireworld Oasis 7 cables new and use them as phono cables. I had a pair of Cardas G Master Reference cables to go between my hybrid phono and tube amp. Okay but, too smooth. Next, I pulled as pair of Neotech DIY NEI-3001. Much better detail and clarity and midrange meat. Had these on for a bit. Sounded pretty good. But there was something I was still looking for. Sound familiar? I re-read Internet posts about the difference between copper and silver I/Cs. I had two pair of Music Metre Silver cables which hadn't worked in the system before. Into the box of broken dreams I went. In went the Music Metre Silvers. I need to mention also that many of these cables were in a system driven by a Grado Sonata cart. I have changed to a Grace F8.

So, I want to say the Wireworld/Music Metre is a synergistic match in my system. Music is intimate, clear, natural and appropriately detailed.

Don't sell extra cables if you don't have to. Keep experimenting.

"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"

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I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again..

Elizabeth

11:57:26 04/03/14

6

RE: I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again..

Crazy Dave

11:38:28 04/04/14

3

RE: I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again..

unclestu

13:50:41 04/09/14

2

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I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again..

Elizabeth

11:57:26 04/03/14

6

RE: I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again..

Crazy Dave

11:38:28 04/04/14

3

RE: I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again..

unclestu

13:50:41 04/09/14

2

RE: I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again..

Crazy Dave

12:56:37 04/10/14

Not mine. Mine use a rather fuzzy copper the strands are all full of tiny zigzag 'kinks' built in

Elizabeth

16:27:32 04/14/14

Must be

mt10425

14:50:47 04/03/14

ha! (nt)

Duster

14:56:01 04/03/14

Orphans often find a home in second systems.

Duster

15:38:51 04/02/14

4

True enough

mt10425

06:12:46 04/03/14

3

RE: True enough

Duster

14:24:22 04/03/14

2

Thank you

mt10425

14:33:08 04/03/14

RE: Thank you

Duster

14:36:52 04/03/14

RE: Do not get rid of your extra cables

Mick Wolfe

12:43:14 03/31/14

RE: Do not get rid of your extra cables

fantja

10:40:16 03/29/14

Your point is good

mitch2

09:00:50 03/29/14

RE: Do not get rid of your extra cables

Justlisten2

07:14:29 03/29/14

RE: Do not get rid of your extra cables, posted on March 29, 2014 at 07:14:29

Justlisten2
Audiophile

Posts: 1266
Location: SE PA
Joined: March 8, 2001

Well I've gone through so many cables and power cords that I could not afford to keep them all. Your point is well taken though, because any simple change can change EVERYTHING. I have spent much of the last two years adjusting back to a SS amp, generally finding that warmer cables and cords worked better.

Than, just over a week ago, I received a tube amp, plugged it right in, and the sound was flat and lifeless. Now I regret selling some of the livelier cables/cords that I had in the past. I put in an old cheapo pair of silver interconnects, and there was a big improvement, though still not as good as the system tuned to the SS amp. Now I have to decide if I really want to invest more money and another year playing with cables and cords again to tune in this tube amp......or just sell the amp and stay with the SS amp. Decisions, decisions...

Your point is good, posted on March 29, 2014 at 09:00:50

mitch2
Audiophile

Posts: 1521
Location: Great Lakes
Joined: August 28, 2001

Some cables you try and just know you would never be happy with over the long haul, so sell those. Others sound pretty good but may not have the attributes you are looking for at the time. It can be beneficial to keep those cables.

When I make changes to my system, I sometimes go back and find cables I previously stopped using that have better synergy with the new changes. Also, when I make system changes or try new cables, I sometimes go back to familiar "good but not a perfect fit" cables to help calibrate what I am hearing with the new gear or new cables I am trying.

Of course, most of my cables are DIY, which makes it easier to forget about selling them since I would never get what they are worth based on SQ. Those choices would be harder with a $2K pair of speaker cables or interconnects, or a $1K power cable.

RE: Do not get rid of your extra cables, posted on March 29, 2014 at 10:40:16
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Excellent review. Yes, on occasion, a mix of cables/cords will yield the best results.

RE: Do not get rid of your extra cables, posted on March 31, 2014 at 12:43:14
Mick Wolfe Audiophile Posts: 3365 Location: AZ Joined: October 10, 1999 Contributor Since: September 4, 2000	That's a good tip. I've held on to most of the IC's bought in the last 5 or 10 years. More than a few have come in handy as both my main and HT systems evolve.( or devolve in some cases)

Orphans often find a home in second systems., posted on April 2, 2014 at 15:38:51
Duster Manufacturer Posts: 17117 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002	IME, with three audio systems to play with (main system, computer system, bedroom system), otherwise fine cables that don't find synergy in the main system often do quite well when placed in one of the second systems. On the other hand, if a product is a dog, it won't bark any better if it's placed in a different backyard.

True enough, posted on April 3, 2014 at 06:12:46

mt10425
Audiophile

Posts: 2399
Location: 3 hours west of Chicago
Joined: January 23, 2004

As I also have multiple systems, I sometimes install cables in secondary systems just so they remain in use.

As a Director with a service dog training non-profit, I have a fondness for dogs. Sometimes they just need a better job and change of environment. It's all about helping people get the best out of their situation. :)

"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"

I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again.., posted on April 3, 2014 at 11:57:26
Elizabeth	I used to think pretty highly of it. From back in the 1980's.. I reterminated it just a few years ago. Over a dozen sets of IC. But my latest rewiring has made them obsolete. I stuck one back in and Hell no. So They are now part of the wastebasket of history. Funny how something sounds great... until you hear better. Then, going back you realize wow that old stuff is crap in comparison. LOL

RE: True enough, posted on April 3, 2014 at 14:24:22
Duster Manufacturer Posts: 17117 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002	Kudos, mt10425. Being a director with a service dog training non-profit must be an excellent/noble effort... Cheers, Duster

Thank you, posted on April 3, 2014 at 14:33:08
mt10425 Audiophile Posts: 2399 Location: 3 hours west of Chicago Joined: January 23, 2004	Sometimes I wish I got paid enough to buy new cables every now and then...then there is the nobility thing. :) "It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"

RE: Thank you, posted on April 3, 2014 at 14:36:52
Duster Manufacturer Posts: 17117 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002	Yep. I think bartc is also involved with a non-profit effort.

Must be, posted on April 3, 2014 at 14:50:47
mt10425 Audiophile Posts: 2399 Location: 3 hours west of Chicago Joined: January 23, 2004	those dogs Duster mentioned. You just never know. ;) "It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"

ha! (nt), posted on April 3, 2014 at 14:56:01
Duster Manufacturer Posts: 17117 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002	nt

RE: I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again.., posted on April 4, 2014 at 11:38:28
Crazy Dave Audiophile Posts: 14371 Location: East Coast Joined: October 4, 2001	You could sell them. I'll bet their are some vintage collectors who would love to have them. Dave

RE: I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again.., posted on April 9, 2014 at 13:50:41
unclestu Dealer Posts: 5851 Joined: April 13, 2010	Some of the earliest ML IC's used a pure silver wire inner conductor

RE: I now have a whole bagfull of Mark Levinson IC I will never use again.., posted on April 10, 2014 at 12:56:37
Crazy Dave Audiophile Posts: 14371 Location: East Coast Joined: October 4, 2001	Sweet! Dave

Not mine. Mine use a rather fuzzy copper the strands are all full of tiny zigzag 'kinks' built in, posted on April 14, 2014 at 16:27:32
Elizabeth	The copper center stands all have this tiny kinking built into the wire. So the multi stranded center conductor has all these almost fuzzy-like strands. Each strand has millions of tiny zigzags..

Cable Asylum

Do not get rid of your extra cables

173.23.238.118