Who uses long interconnect like in dealers?

On your second to last question, perhaps the answer is it's too expensive to upgrade? I use a 40 foot run between my preamp and power amps/active crossover, and that has always been the last thing that would get upgraded because of the cost. I've tried to make that as good a cable as I could, given the limited choices available for that long a run, to avoid having to change it. And it's also possible, I suppose, to send the long run to the manufacturer to reterminate in shorter runs, then sell those, which would be an easier sell in the used market.

I've been using a 6m length of Kimber PBJ (original cost $150) for several years in order to get the source equipment away from the speakers. I am about to change to a 5m length of Kimber Hero (cost $500 w/WBT 0108's) and expect an improvement in sound without significant cost. I've looked for some Hero on the used market for a while but haven't seen anything longer than 3m, so I'm buying new (got to keep up the relationship with the local dealer!). The next step up in the Kimber line is a BIG jump in price (> $1000) so this is where I stop! The important thing when going with long interconnects is making sure the electrical properties don't lead to signal loss over long runs. The Kimber interconnects are very good in this repsect since they are not shielded (and no I have not had problems with interference). I would check with your preamp and amp manufacturer to get their recommended maximum inductance and capacitance values for the interconnect. You'll then have to get the data for the interconnect and do a little math. Kimber has this on their website, others might too. Hope this helps!

I use a 5 meter to one set of amps and a 7 meter run to another set for exactly the reason you suggest, that I'm able i isolate my equipment from standing waves and vibrations which would effect my source components if i located them near the amps/speakers. I'm also able to make adjustments from very close to the listening position. If your preamps can drive long runs of cable its a great way to go. I think the reason you don't see more of this is both ergonomics (i.e. WAF) and cost. You usually have to special order these lenghts and may not get return priveleges - so you really have to do some homework before you commit.

I use an asymmetrical run of 3m + 6m Red Dawn XLR between my rack-mounted Aleph P and the Aleph 2 monos suspended from my basement ceiling joists in milk cartons, with 8' SPM cables up through the baseboards to the Parsifals.
Sounds superb, and has GREAT spousal approval!

For my recording adjunct I run 30' balanced cheap Canare StarQuad pro cables from Earthworks omnis through a Grace Class A pre velcroed under my Steinway to my Alesis in the rack. Completely noisefree, neutral, and detailed. Amazing quality for $0.34/ft!

So here's the big cognitive dissonance: between Alesis Masterlink and the Aleph P pre do I use 1/2 meter of more Canare (ala smart PRO recording), or do I get audiophoolish and think that I need more RD or SPM for the last link?!
What a hobby.

I typically look for VERY long runs of interconnects and cut them down / reterminate them myself. Since most people aren't using long runs of interconnects, the market for great lengths just isn't there and the seller ends up taking a bath when they finally do sell. I've purchased 8 meter runs of Kimber PBJ for $75 for the pair. I also purchased a pair of 10 meter Goertz Copper Micro Purl's for $175. My most recent find was a 10 meter pair of cables that retail for over $2000. I paid $200 delivered.

With some high quality solder, the connectors of my choice and a little time and labor, i've been able to assemble mass quantities of interconnects for pennies on the dollar. After assembling them, i burn all of them in and try them out in my various systems, share them with my Brother and / or Dad, set up systems for friends, etc... This offers unbeatable bang for the buck in my experience.

When shopping for "DIY" based bargains like this, i always try to keep in mind "versatility". Both the PBJ's and Micro-Purl's can easily be configured for use with RCA's ( single ended ) or with XLR's ( balanced ) due to their conductor configuration. As such, what might be a "decent" cable in single ended form can become an even better cable when run in balanced mode. That is, so long as one is willing to get their hands dirty in return for saving a LOT of money.

With that in mind, i hope that a lot of you folks are interested in trying out long interconnects. I'll be waiting when you post them for sale : ) Sean
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