1st System - Help with cables


Hi Everyone,
I'm in the process of putting together my 1st quality audio system. At this point it consists of; Simaudio Moon I-5 Integ Amp, Rega Jupiter cdp (on the way) and Dynaudio 1.3 mk2 speakers on dyn stands. It's taken me quite a while to research and choose these products and I wound up purchasing each through Audiogon classifieds.

Now I just have to get speaker cables and interconnects.I'm mainly focusing on the speaker cables and would like to find something in the $300 or so used range that would be a decent starter/baseline cable for this system. Something transparent that won't add any uncessary color to the sound. Since I haven't used the system yet I can't say that I'm looking for a cable that will alter the sound in any particular way. I can always look for that later after I've had extended listening time and develop some preferences.

Any suggestions would be very helpful as the choices are pretty overwhelming. Thanks for the help...

John
jroth
We've all been in your position. I have found the intercons and power cords to have the most affect at this stage of the game. Some good value components to consider are Synergestic AC Master coupler power cords, Straight Wire
Virtuosso intercons and speaker cable (excellent value) and performance. Also YBA power cords.
good luck and good listening
Potsey
My first quality system resembled yours, with an I-5 at its heart. I can second the Synergistic Research recommendation and would add Harmonic Technology ic's and JPS Labs power cords to your list.
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Using your suggestions as well as other info I could find I've listed some of the cables available both used and new in my price range.

I plan on looking at powercords too, just not yet. If anyone could weigh in on some of the choices below as well as others I'd appreciate it. Thanks again...

NEW - Kimber Kable 8TC Speaker Cable 6' - $216
NEW - Luminous Renaissance 8' - $240
USED - Nordost Red Dawn 6' - $375
USED - Acoustic Zen Satori 8' - $350
USED - Synergistic Research Signature 2 - $225 to $300
USED - Coincident CST1 6' - $335
NEW - Moon Audio Silver Dragon 6'- $280
USED - XLO Reference Type 5 8' - $325
Good choices...the Danes are very revealing speakers...so a more a cable with a more "mellow" top end might be the ticket...and then one can add or substract nuetrality with the interconnect...that being said...I do like NOrdost products(they tend to sound their best in warmer systems) ...even though some have accused them of being a bit "thin" sounding...at any rate...their Flatline speaker cable is superb for the money....
jroth has made some great suggestions on the speaker cable.

by sticking with a major player, you can sell them pretty easily down the road.

if you are looking for a netrual cable that is revealing - the xlo is a great choice. if you are looking for a warm cable then the satori.

most cable fall into two camps

1.revealing/detail/fast- xlo,coincident, nordost

2. warm,,bloom,slow - cardas,az satori

finding a "neutral"cable is difficult.

the fast cables sometimes can have a lean midrange and bright top end.

the slower cables can have a midbass bloat and/or obscure detail that the image specifity is gone ( cardas comes to mind)

i would check with dynaudio and other audiogoners on what manufacture they suggest with speaker cables with your speakers. they were voiced with a certain brand and solid state gear and go from there. ( i might suggest the xlo- they are a awesome cable). the dyna's image like crazy and are not bright speakers imo

since you only need one set of interconnects i would try to get my hands on as many as i could and experiment ( also a good idea for the speaker cables if you can)

for innterconnects some suggestions are:

coincident -neutral and good budget interconnect

xlo signiture 2- neutral / transparent

discovery plus 4- ever so lightly warm side of neutral- can be found very reasonably. great perfomance / dollar ratio.

straightwire -nice midrange cable and images very well

try the major players first. if you find something else you can resell them easily.

get your hands on as many as you can !!! by the time you are done, your ears will be very trained toward small changes like these.

then when you find a smaller /unknown company your ear will be trained. also, with smaller companies, make sure there is a 30 day return policy.

i would save power cords for last.

hope that helps,

mike