2. cables
  3. 1143700653

Need help - High-end cabling strategy

I need some help - a little help and experienced ears on specific cable selection, but more importantly some thoughts on an overall cabling "strategy".

I have just completed an major overhaul of my electronics moving from a Mark Levinson integraed to a Mark Levinson 320S Pre driving a Halcro DM38 Power amplifier. My source is an Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP CD player all driving Egglestonworks Rosa loudspeakers. Current speaker cables are Analysis-Plus Big Silver Ovals. Power cords are all stock.

My first priority is (and should be, right?) interconnects. I am currently demo-ing a pair of Siltech SQ110 balanced ICs CD to Pre and really like the sound (focused, wide, balanced tone). Pre to power is a demo pair of Van Den Hul Jubilees (also balanced) I live in Shanghai, China so my choices with local dealer are really limited to these 2 brands.

So several "strategic" questions... I've got $40K plus into electronics, so I am prepared to buy serious cables to match the system, but I want to be sane about this. How to allocate and prioritize my cable investment on the front end (CD to Pre) versus the back end (Pre to power)? If I plan to spend another $4-5K on cables in the short term, should I put it all into killer ICs (like the Siltech Classic series) and live with stock power cords for a while or should I spread out more evenly across the system? Should I put a ultra high-end IC CD to Pre (like the Siltech Forbes Lake) and something much more modest from Pre to Power or am I better off "balancing" these two?

Thanks to all!

Brad
bradleypeacockba28
mikesinger
572 posts
 
would suggest power cords... you really havent heard your system.. it is really hard to audition cables unless decent pc's are in place..btw, audience makes a great pc for not that much money...

since you are in china, are there some options with demo cables from singapore ?
rja's avatar
rja
2,112 posts
 
Completely agree with Mikesinger. You do not know what your system can sound like without decent PCs. I think you will be surprised.
bradleypeacockba28 OP
7 posts
 
Thanks to all for your insights. I plugged in Siltech SP30 power cord to my CDP and was pretty impressed - opened up a whole lot of bass that was "trapped" before. I fear I am in for a whole lot of more money flowing out the door - Why can't I get hooked on a cheap hobby!?

I think I am going to go with Siltech Classic MkII interconnects (the SQ110). I am going to stick with my Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval speaker cables for now. With my current room restrictions, I am running 15' speaker cables. I've got $2,000 into my A-P's upgrading them at that length is a major investment. Maybe next year after bonus time!

Anyone here with experience with Analysis Plus power cords?

Thanks!

Brad
4uldis's avatar
4uldis
2 posts
 
Synergetic research mastrer PC might be good choice
ardri
24 posts
 
No experience with that PC but i am demo'ing a pair of the original Siltech SQ110 G5 balanced ICs not even the MkII as i type and they really are a dead quiet cable.I have a Naxos recording of the Oxford Camerata's Hildegard von Bingen - Heavenly Revelations.This is medievil vocal, hymn,chant etc. You really could hear a pin drop.Very impressive and really a great quality.I will likely end up with a pair if I'm good to myself.
More to discover