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Audioquest type 2 turning greasy

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Posted on October 24, 2015 at 16:28:02
NuWave
Audiophile

Posts: 2619
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: March 22, 2002
I have a pair AQ type 2 cables about 18 yrs old that have developed a sticky, greasy film along the entire length. I wiped them down about 6 months ago when I discovered it and it's returned just as bad as before. It feels like it was coated with a thin layer of very sticky Vaseline....it's really nasty. I hadn't looked behind my system for a while, and found it had stained my carpet a pink/red where it was in contact. Is there something I can use to stop this, maybe add a sleeve over it, or just upgrade to something better?

 

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I would contact Audioquest first and if they do not offer any help sell them and buy Type 4, my two cents nt, posted on October 24, 2015 at 16:45:36
PhilJ
Audiophile

Posts: 2826
Joined: January 20, 2002
...

 

Bad Advice !!!, posted on October 25, 2015 at 05:44:44
denden11
Audiophile

Posts: 360
Joined: March 4, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
December 12, 2007
So you're telling him to pass the problem on to somebody else. Nice guy.

 

RE: Bad Advice !!!, posted on October 25, 2015 at 08:28:06
NuWave
Audiophile

Posts: 2619
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: March 22, 2002
I wouldn't sell them. I'd probably keep them and remove the jacket, and maybe use them for something else. Just wish I knew what is going on with them. Was given them by the dealer when I got my Vandersteens years ago.

 

I was thinking sell them for cheap but you make a good point, he should call AQ however..., posted on October 25, 2015 at 08:41:39
PhilJ
Audiophile

Posts: 2826
Joined: January 20, 2002
...

 

RE: Audioquest type 2 turning greasy, posted on October 25, 2015 at 11:40:27
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
You might consider using Armour All to remove the sticky residue and help preserve the destabilized vinyl material.

Covering the cable with Techflex sleeving might be a good idea, but it would not allow the cable to be treated with Armour All again in the future.

Consider using speaker cable elevators to keep the cable from touching the carpeted floor.

 

sending them to AQ, posted on October 26, 2015 at 08:52:41
NuWave
Audiophile

Posts: 2619
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: March 22, 2002
They suggested i send them back and if they can't clean them, they'll send a replacement. I DID clean them, but they got nasty greasy AGAIN. I'm thinking once the tech pulls that sticky mess out of the box, he'll decide not to deal with it and hopefully send me a new set of Type 4's :-)

 

Audioquest wires usually end up like that onne way or another, posted on November 12, 2015 at 12:50:13
I had some AQ Midnight speaker cables and the insulation started to get gooey/strange. I ended up throwing them away. (rather than sell them to some unsuspecting fellow audiophile.
I bought a used AQ record mat which also was getting funky.. The seller clearly knew it was no good, but sold it used anyway.
So I am totally through with AQ crap.
I stick to Kimber and Cardas.

 

RE: tossed 'em?, posted on November 20, 2015 at 10:54:37
NuWave
Audiophile

Posts: 2619
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: March 22, 2002
Midnight is a pretty nice cable to toss out. Got mine back from AQ and all they did was clean them. Was hoping for a replacement. I'm guessing they will be greasy/gooey again in a month or two and then i'll break down and actually buy something else.

 

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