Channel Balance - Vindication Re Cable Length Controversy - JRags

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Channel Balance - Vindication Re Cable Length Controversy

This is my first post to this asylum. I'm a Vinyl Asylum poster regarding all things vinyl. However, I have had a continuing problem with channel balance using my Rougue 99 Magnum preamp and numerous phono cartridges. As a last resort, I searched the "Cable Asylum" archives regarding cable lengths. My installer used Tara Labs' Prism 2+2 Speaker cable. BUT, he used 4.5 ft. for the left channel and 10.5 ft for the right. You guessed it, my center balance is skewed to the left, almost to the left speaker. Soundstage is not very deep, and dynamics suffer.
My search of the cable asylum revealed comments/advice by Jon Risch that were heatedly disputed by some posters. Nonetheless, I took his advice and reduced the right channel speaker length by 4.8 ft. This resulted in a less than a 2:1 ratio mentioned. (I'm too cheap to increase the length of the left cable, and too scared to splice it.)
At first, the results were less than satisfactory. The center balance was still off-center but less so. Soundstage deepened, and music was much more dynamic. However, I thought that perhaps there was a "burn-in" issue regarding the new length. So, I have run the Ayre Acoustics burn-in CD called "Irrational, But Efficacious!" After 72 hours, you guessed it, the center balance was in the center.
YMMV, but I for one am a believer in the idea of cable length impact on channel balance, and the whole concept of burn-in and cable efficiency.

JRags
"Always Searching for Perfection"

Jon Risch Cable Length Advice (Open in New Window)

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Topic - Channel Balance - Vindication Re Cable Length Controversy - JRags 11:20:52 12/21/06 (3)

Thanks for your post. - Al Sekela 15:15:31 12/21/06 (2)

Re: Thanks for your post. - Jon Risch 19:58:23 12/21/06 (1)

We can if the issue is the amp's response to cable capacitance. - Al Sekela 14:28:26 12/23/06 (0)

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