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Audioquest Makenzie XLRs

I have the opportunity to purchase Audioquest cables at approx 40% below retail... 

I cant spend hundreds or thousands on cables.

Is there a better XLR cable for the money at the price point of $110 a pair than the Audioquest Makenzie?  110 is my cost.  Next up the line in AQ more than doubles my cost.... cant swing that much on ICs.

Gear consists of Marantz 7704, ATI 1807 Amp, B&W CDM 9NTs.
Not high end by any means but it's far better than what I had.

So .... is there a better cable for the money?
Seems AQ Makenzie is well reviewed and well designed.

Thoughts? Comments?  Assistance and advice is appreciated.
lightfighter2018
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
691 posts
 
Are you buying interconnects for 2 channels or 7 channels (or somewhere in between)?

Why XLR? I don’t believe either the Marantz or ATI are differential balanced. 

I’m a big fan of AudioQuest,  However, I’m not sure I’d throw a lot of money at cables for your system. I once did that for a 5-channel dual purpose AV system. Even with a good deal on cables, the $$$ add up quickly. 
lightfighter2018 OP
75 posts
 
@nrenter 

CORRECTION> The amp I have is the ATI 2007 not 1807.  Sorry.  The 2007 says true balanced XLR.  Is that not same as differential?

I was under the impression that using XLR was better regardless, providing lower noise floor etc. Not sure if the 7704 has 'true' balanced... but it does have XLR connections... Spec says balanced XLRs.  Does not say true balanced on the 7704.


lightfighter2018 OP
75 posts
 
Bob 

Thx. Will do.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
691 posts
 
In short, XLR isn't necessarily better. However, the ATI 2007 is a balanced amp, and the Marantz 7704 will output a balanced signal, so in this instance, I'd be inclined to try a balanced cable.

Not to complicate matters, but you'll want to verify the pin arrangement on the ATI 2007. According to page 43 of the Marantz 7704 manual...


A GND (Ground)

B HOT (+)

C COLD (–)


The PIN arrangement in this device uses the European method. In the USA method, B is COLD, and C is HOT.

When connecting a device that utilizes the USA type of PIN arrangement, replace the B and C plugs on one side of the balanced cable.


If the ATI 2007 is arranged with B as COLD, and C as HOT, you can always just refers (+) and (-) speaker connections to preserve polarity.

lightfighter2018 OP
75 posts
 
I will double check the pin outs. Thx.

Never realized there could actually be a difference.

How do I change the pins on an xlr cable?  Or are the pins switched on one end?  I thought XLR was a standard?
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