Cable Asylum

Interconnects, speaker wire, power cords. Ask the Cable Guys.

Return to Cable Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

what would you spend on cables

50.88.137.161
Posted on July 10, 2016 at 08:28:12
riley804
 on a new system that you are putting together from scratch ?

would need 1 pair of IC's and 1 pair of speaker cables.

system is :

Magnepan 3.6r
Krell 2250
Audio Research Reference 2 Mark 11
VPI HW-19 MK111

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 10, 2016 at 09:27:50
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 I also have Maggie 3.6's
Just replaced $4000 worth of cables with $250 worth of cable. Much better sound. More musical, organic and lifelike
Interconnects baded on Belden 8402 cable
Speaker cable is Western Electric stranded tinned copper 16 gauge from the 1950's. The amount of money you spend on cabling has little to do with the sound you will get
Alan

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 10, 2016 at 10:07:47
DeeCee
Audiophile

Posts: 769
Joined: July 6, 2001
 Ahendler is correct. Ultimate cable selection is ALL about system synergy.

I would start with basic well made cables (e.g., Blue Jeans Cables) then perform swaps from a (preferably used) cable source such as usedcable.com.

Then purchase the best match at the lowest cost to your ears.

My order of selection preference is speaker, amp/pre then source/pre.

Of course, YMMV.

Happy Listening!
DeeCee

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 10, 2016 at 10:19:29
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 I'd be in the same camp as the fellas telling you not to break the bank. My suggestion would the Blue Note line of cables from Cable Research Labs....warm yet dynamic and transparent. If you insist on spending a shade over 1K, look at their (CRL) "Bronze Bundle" which can be auditioned thru The Cable Co.

 

Yep... and THEN..., posted on July 10, 2016 at 12:29:35
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31879
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 power cords... all a journey that should be fun, as relaxed as one can make it within price ranges that are comfortable.

I would have to add that (above a certain price point) - ALWAYS buy used - the selection is nearly unlimited
and your money goes MUCH further and, well, break in is less of a concern.

The OP has some mighty fine equipment there, synergy via cabling will have a considerable impact.



"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

RE: Yep... and THEN..., posted on July 10, 2016 at 16:27:41
PAR
 " ALWAYS buy used". Probably good economic advice but I would add a caveat:

There are a lot of fake branded cables out there and it is harder to check on provenance unless you are buying from an official agent for the brand. My friend paid around 50% of list price for a used AQ WEL interconnect from Canada couple of years ago. Still big money (in my books). Earlier this year he changed equipment which demanded a different type of connector on the cable. He sent it to AQ for re-termination where it was impounded as a fake. So he lost his money.

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 10, 2016 at 17:18:31
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15168
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 Up to $400 on speaker wire and up to $200 on interconnect. That's just me.

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 10, 2016 at 17:24:36
riley804
 I was pretty close to that.

I forgot that I need two interconnects and happen to see an ad where the seller was selling the same 2 IC's, so I bought those.

then I was under $500 for speaker cables.

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 10, 2016 at 17:36:13
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15168
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 I have $100 equipment off of $150 interconnect and $2000 equipment off of $300 retail interconnect. That seems to be the sweet spot.

Speaker wire can be new or used for that price, but I just can't seem to get myself to spend a grand on any of that stuff. It just won't happen.

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 11, 2016 at 04:34:14
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
+1.

This particular model from CRL, had in fact easily replaced my more expensive Acoustic Zen, and Siltech Cabling looms each within 3-5 tracks, as it seems to as Mick had reported his findings months later after having recommended it for him " That is has a very very mature sound " in which he felt the design team obviously took a lot if time with as far as voicing went.

Weird things is, after having spent upwards of $3.800 total on my previous cabling looms, I've found that these days, I'm very very very content using a Mark Tunis Silver Ghost IC ( $125|1m ) in tandem with said CRL Bronze LSC ( 10'5' pair | $400 ) rotated with a pair of Supra 3/4S ( 3.5m|$150 ) where only my Synergistic Research AC Cords cost more.........., but on balance, refinement, texture, tonality, the system's sense of attack of notes and nimbleness has never been better.

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 11, 2016 at 06:24:44
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Alan,

which $4K cabling did you own?

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 11, 2016 at 10:56:17
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 I Biamp
One amp used Auditorium 23 speaker cable $900
The other amp used HiDiamond 8 speaker cable $2000
Interconects wer Nordost SPM and Sablon Panatella, $1400
As I said I like the $250 worth of Belden 8402 interconnects and
Western Electric 16 gauge stranded tinned copper speaker cables better in every way
Alan

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 11, 2016 at 13:46:14
DrN
Audiophile

Posts: 366
Joined: January 31, 2014
 That is exactly what I use here too. 8402 balanced and RCA/switchcraft and WE16ga. Highly recommended!!

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 11, 2016 at 14:48:07
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Arn't they wonderful
The new Stereoiphile reviews some new wire from Luna.
They claim for there speaker cable 1940's wire stranded tinned copper with cotten wrap. Sounds like the Western Electric cable but of course at more money.
Alan

 

Caveat emptor in all things..., posted on July 11, 2016 at 18:42:12
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31879
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 ESPECIALLY all things Audioquest.

Unfortunate but true.

AQ has much info on their site regarding pirates.

The price of success I suppose.

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Few hundred bucks, posted on July 11, 2016 at 19:08:34
madisonears
Audiophile

Posts: 1587
Location: midwest
Joined: September 6, 2006
 I would build my own using the best available conductors and connectors, for about one-eighth or less of commercial offerings. There is NO magic in cables.

Peace,
Tom E
berate is 8 and benign is 9

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 12, 2016 at 04:38:07
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 riley804

cabling does make a substantial difference, you will want to match closely w/ your gear. At least 10% total cost of your system is a good place to start. Or, you can take some chances by building your own cables/power cords.

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 12, 2016 at 04:39:44
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Alan while interesting a combination of cabling you had, it is quite a hodge/podge. Did those different brands exhibit any synergy?

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 12, 2016 at 05:55:07
krankkall
Audiophile

Posts: 296
Location: New Mexico
Joined: April 5, 2014
 Ive always made my own cables, which is THE best bang-for-your-buck you can get.
Raw bulk cable and individual connectors, will always be cheaper than cut and assembled cables.

Steve

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 12, 2016 at 07:43:44
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 They sounded very good together. I am a strong believer in picking cables that give you the sound you are after regardless of brand,
Alan

 

I m a big fan of the "10%" recommendation. For IC and AC and speaker all together in the 10%., posted on July 12, 2016 at 11:20:57
Smelly_Socks
 The 10% 'rule' has been around for a long time.
It is an average.. And as luck would have it, I currently meet the 10% really well.
Though my wanting to buy a $3,000 6 meter long Kimber IC will bust the percentages..
For the pre to amp run.. My current wire is about $800 worth..

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 12, 2016 at 11:23:41
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Me as well Alan. I am a "cable" guy first and foremost.
I have heard the lower tier Nordost. I have always wanted to demo Sablon'
and Auditorium 23 cabling.

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 12, 2016 at 14:17:39
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 In a couple of weeks I will receive my other pair of Western Electric speaker cables and will pull out the Auditorium 23. I see you are in Alabama and I am in Texas I would be happy to send you the auditoriums so you can listen to them. You don't have to buy them. I am not even sure I want to sell them. I will contact you as soon as I get my other cables
Alan

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 12, 2016 at 18:40:23
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 A very kind offer -Alan.
I only have my reference speakers at this time, as I am attempting, to build the rest of my system. I value your insight and listening opinions here. Every once in a while a hodge/podge of cabling can represent excellent energy and synergy in one's system.

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 13, 2016 at 10:25:56
Jim Smith
Industry Professional

Posts: 1097
Location: Atlanta, GA area
Joined: April 5, 2000
 Agreed!

My system is bi-wired with an external xover, and even running the WE wires in the xover and then to the speakers, my WE/Belden rig was $270 TOTAL.

Best regards,

Jim Smith

 

RE: what would you spend on cables, posted on July 13, 2016 at 12:40:03
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Nice system -Jim. I like the fact that you own Pass Labs gear and a REL sub. Happy Listening!

 

RE: Caveat emptor in all things..., posted on July 16, 2016 at 07:48:51
DeeCee
Audiophile

Posts: 769
Joined: July 6, 2001
 Yep! Cardas has the same warnings as well... That's why you want to be sure you use a reputable dealer.

Happy Listening!
DeeCee

 

10% recommendation is obsolete., posted on July 17, 2016 at 14:48:17
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 The 10% recommendation was formulated at a time when audio cables were considered an "audio accessory" rather than the status of cables as vital component upgrades. Unless a particular audio device is so mediocre that tossing high-performance cables at it is like throwing pearls to swine, or polishing a turd, it's rare to find a high-performance cable that's too expensive to provide remarkable benefit for high-performance audiophile applications. That said, buy what you can afford based on obvious audiophile betterment, and a willingness to invest in audio system upgrades as a whole. It's also a wonderful thing to have several high-performance choices in a cable collection to experiment with when new gear is introduced into a system in order to provide better synergy within a particular system, and if personal audiophile satisfaction is not discovered by a listener, in what sonic signature direction to turn towards via cabling for better audio satisfaction. It's all about custom system tuning efforts rather than a plug-and-play mentality.

 

RE: 10% recommendation is obsolete., posted on July 19, 2016 at 09:42:06
jhrlrd
Audiophile

Posts: 135
Joined: October 21, 2014
 " There is NO magic in cables."

True, but hopefully tons of R&D go into them. I don't think I can make a cable as good as a proper facility that has time, equipment and workers trying endless combinations of materials, twists,gage etc. They may eventually come across a "magic" formula, which we pay for.

Seems to me that a if home brewer whips together something on his first try and claims it's better than a $2000 name brand, either he's extremely lucky, or the name brand is very ordinary.
(or he's hearing what he wants to).
Of course, many name brands probably are very ordinary, which is why we have to try so many to get a good fit.

"The 10% recommendation was formulated at a time when audio cables were considered an "audio accessory" rather than the status of cables as vital component upgrades."

Agreed. Nowadays it is not uncommon or unreasonable to have a 1000$ cable between $1000 components if it works

I would spend $100 to $2000 and consider either one a bargain, if it did the right thing for my system.
I don't mind paying for the "name" or the "R&D" if it really transforms my system.

 

Page processed in 0.040 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]