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Magnepan 20.7 Speaker Cables

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Posted on May 24, 2021 at 19:35:14
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 I wondering what speaker cables do you guys use with your Maggie's? I'm using Kubala Sosna Fascination cables which are a stranded construction and I'm noticing a less fuller sound than with my old Tara Labs 0.8 cables. The Tara Labs cables were solid core and seem to be a better match. Just wondering what the thoughts were when using stranded cables vs solid core with Magnepans. Thanks in advance!

 

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Similar experience , posted on May 24, 2021 at 19:54:43
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7724
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 I currently use Anticables, they replaced the previous version, which replaced Tara Labs solid.
With my somewhat limited wire trials, 3.6's, Classe amps and my ears, solid wires won out.

 

RE: Similar experience , posted on May 24, 2021 at 21:52:37
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 Hi Grant, How do you like the anti cables and which one did you end up getting? Loving my stands!

 

RE: Solid core speaker cables ..., posted on May 25, 2021 at 00:10:17
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12548
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 always sound better than stranded (ie. with any spkr).

However, the trouble with solid core cables is that they need to be not very thick - so, in general, you need several solid core (individually insulated) strands to cope well with the current flow.

Andy

 

RE: Magnepan 20.7 Speaker Cables, posted on May 25, 2021 at 07:26:09
mikeaustin1066@gmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Oklahoma
Joined: March 1, 2021
 I use Belden 5000 series 10-gauge 5T00UP, from Blue Jeans Cable. Recommended by Gene DellaSalla at Audioholics.

My system:

Rega P6 and Harman Kardan ST-8 Linear Tracking Turntable. The Rega has an Ortofon cartridge, and the ST-8 has an Audio-Technica.
Magneplanar 3.3s, bi-amped.
Two Emotiva solid state monoblocks.
Black Ice Audio tube phono pre-amp.
Jolida 1000P tube amplifier.
Project Pre Box RS Digital tube DAC with separate power supply.
Cambridge Audio CXC CD transport.
Schiit Audio Freya+ tube pre-amp.
Kimber and Audio Quest inter-connects.
Mike Austin

 

RE: Magnepan 20.7 Speaker Cables, posted on May 25, 2021 at 08:25:42
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13973
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 I have always suspected that solid (single conductor) speaker cables are
sonically superior to stranded, but have seen nothing conclusive to back
me up. FWIW, Paul McGowan has done a couple of videos on the subject,
which you can find on Youtube.

I am using 14 ga. stranded cables for my LRS and have not found a
compelling reason to change. If I do decide to change, I suppose I will
have to audition cables from Kimber (8tc or 12tc), Anticables, and the
10 gauge cable from Bluejeans.

And if you take 2 solid conductor cables and double them, is that not then
a stranded cable?

At any rate, use what sounds best to you.

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

RE: Similar experience , posted on May 25, 2021 at 11:30:54
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7724
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 Oh boy, can't recall, that's a while back now... just the single strand units however (not "bi-wire").
And thanks on the stands! :)

 

RE: Magnepan 20.7 Speaker Cables, posted on May 25, 2021 at 11:46:40
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 I spent about 6 months monitoring and buying used Cardas cables off USaudiomart never spending more that $200-300 on any given pair (RCA's, speaker cables).

Very happy!

Also over the pass 20 yrs I've diy cables from various recipes off the cable asylum and the net, an extremely gratifying segment of this hobby.









 

RE: Magnepan 20.7 Speaker Cables, posted on May 25, 2021 at 18:09:53
MBerry6
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Location: KS
Joined: March 19, 2021
 I currently have Nordost White Lightning in my LRS setup.

 

RE: Magnepan 20.7 Speaker Cables, posted on May 25, 2021 at 21:40:19
Desafinado
Audiophile

Posts: 183
Location: Alberta
Joined: March 10, 2013







As per Jan 5, 2021 thread:
They are Crystal Cable Piccolo Diamond. What they lack in bulk is compensated for by using
silver annealed with gold wire wrapped in Kapton.
They beat out competitors from Cardas, StraightWire, Audioquest, and WireWorld in my system.
Sweet, pure, and extended highs could not be matched. Honourable mention goes to Cardas Clear
Reflection which had an incredibly pure and smooth midrange but seemed a bit rolled-off for
HF extension.

 

RE: Magnepan 20.7 Speaker Cables, posted on May 25, 2021 at 22:42:19
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 Hey thank you all for sharing!

 

Similar to Siltech. Nt, posted on May 25, 2021 at 23:18:05
timothywas1@comcast.net
Audiophile

Posts: 754
Location: illinois
Joined: November 19, 2005
 .
Regards,
/// Tim W. ///

 

RE: "Belden 5000 series 10-gauge 5T00UP" ..., posted on May 26, 2021 at 00:26:06
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12548
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 Sorry to rain on your parade, Mike - but, looking up the specs for this cable it is:
* stranded, and
* PVC insulated.

So, yes - inexpensive ... but it will not be giving you the resolution you could be getting from solid-core cable. :-((

Andy

 

RE: "if you take 2 solid conductor cables and double them, is that not then a stranded cable?" ..., posted on May 26, 2021 at 00:31:42
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12548
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 NO!

Stranded cable is where the bare copper strands lay together, inside an insulating sheath - so they touch other bare strands along the length of the cable.

Solid-core cable (by definition) has insulation around it ... so doubling it merely gives you a cable where the two individual strands do not touch - bcoz they are insulated.

Andy

 

RE: Very nice! nt, posted on May 26, 2021 at 00:33:58
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12548
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 .

 

Shouldn't this be in the "Cable Asylum"?, posted on May 26, 2021 at 07:17:52
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 3048
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 nt

 

RE: Shouldn't this be in the "Cable Asylum"?, posted on May 26, 2021 at 07:37:06
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 @jimbill my apologies, newbie just ask the question as a Magnepan owner. Again everyone thank you for your kind feedback!

 

RE: Shouldn't this be in the "Cable Asylum"?, posted on May 26, 2021 at 08:27:23
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 3048
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 No apology necessary, just steering you to a much more focused group.

 

Yes and no., posted on May 26, 2021 at 09:35:54
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7724
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 I'd actually say no in this case.
His question was specific to a Magnepan model, and many of us might not hit the cable asylum.

 

RE: "Belden 5000 series 10-gauge 5T00UP" ..., posted on May 27, 2021 at 11:01:35
Utley1
Audiophile

Posts: 1609
Location: NYC
Joined: July 30, 2010
 Reading the blurb at the BLUE JEANS site they claim it is solid core but BELDEN does not describe it as solid core in the way that we discern as solid core.I do not know what the cable is....after Googling for info. So I echo what you are saying. Or maybe I just do not understand what solid core is-Belden should be called or Blue Jeans

 

RE: "Belden 5000 series 10-gauge 5T00UP" ..., posted on May 27, 2021 at 13:13:40
russ69
Audiophile

Posts: 951
Joined: December 13, 2009
 Belden 5000 is stranded.

 

RE: Magnepan 20.7 Speaker Cables, posted on May 27, 2021 at 13:15:48
russ69
Audiophile

Posts: 951
Joined: December 13, 2009
 That looks interesting, I could use a little silver on my .7s to help the top end.

 

RE: "Belden 5000 series 10-gauge 5T00UP" ..., posted on May 27, 2021 at 14:11:32
Utley1
Audiophile

Posts: 1609
Location: NYC
Joined: July 30, 2010
 tHANKS UT

 

Original Cardas golden cross, posted on May 29, 2021 at 09:33:41
GreatSound
 Out of production but available used.

5.5 effective AWG

Designed for Magnepan IIIa and series 3 six foot models

Clear extended high frequencies

Warm midrange

Deep clear bass

George Cardas loves magnepan

 

RE: Similar experience , posted on May 29, 2021 at 09:41:28
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13973
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 Well, since the DAC I think I want to buy is on serious backorder, I think
I just might buy some of those Anticables speaker wires. Question is,
should I buy the single strand (12 awg) or double strand (9 gauge). I
can't see how the single strand would not be quite adequate, but more is
ALWAYS better - right??

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

Good question , posted on May 29, 2021 at 13:15:18
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7724
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 I have never tried their double run.
Can't recall, do they have a trial program?

 

RE: Good question , posted on June 1, 2021 at 23:01:38
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 Well I ended up purchasing Cardas Clear Reflection SC, IC's and the Cardas Clear AES/EBU digital cables. Hopefully they will outperform the Kubala Sosna Fascination cables I'm currently using. Got an absolute great deal and trade in value from KATLI AUDIO. Fred is a great guy if you ever want to upgrade you cables.

 

Nice, posted on June 2, 2021 at 07:02:22
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7724
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 Full Cardas setup, great choice.

 

From my perspective..., posted on June 4, 2021 at 16:36:11
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37580
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 the real challenge lies with its comparatively poor objective performance in terms of effective dielectric constant which is a measure in the time domain.

It's value is quite high at 3.77 vs. 1.16 for my JPS Labs and 1.32 for Nordost Valhalla. Ideal is 1.

 

RE: "Belden 5000 series 10-gauge 5T00UP" ..., posted on June 4, 2021 at 16:59:51
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Not that I doubt you BUT......How is this measured? And the number is in what value / time / or whatever?
Too much is never enough

 

I have the Belden 5000 series., posted on June 4, 2021 at 19:58:35
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 3048
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 And they sound quite good. But, then again, why would they sound bad? Scientifically speaking.

This is why, IMHO, this should be on the Cable Asylum. It just opens up another rabbit hole.

And Andy, are you saying these are Lily Von 5T00UP cables?

"I'm tired".

 

RE: "Lily Von 5T00UP cables"??? nt, posted on June 9, 2021 at 22:37:06
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12548
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 .

 

RE: "Lily Von 5T00UP cables"??? nt, posted on June 22, 2021 at 21:43:46
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018



After all was said and done the issue I was hearing was not the speaker cables but the SPDIF cable I had going into my DAC. Replaced it with a Kubala Sosna Emotions AES/EBU cables and everything is sounding pretty freaking awesome. Also dialed in the speaker placement. Enjoying a beautiful wall of sound.

 

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