I'm cable-clueless and need advice...

btw,

all the cables i mentioned were $200 and under (+/- $25) used.

mike

I have a different experience than Jallen. I have a balanced system and have found just as much difference in the sound quality between balanced cables as the RCAs in previous systems.

Dennisb, I have a Meridian G08. The best cable I've found for connecting it to my Rowland preamp is Kimber Select KS1130. It is a silver cable but doesn't have silver's characteristic brightness. It is quite neutral tonally, but has lightning-fast transients and incredible resolution. It may be a bit more expensive than you want to pay ($750-850/1m used) but is worth it. One caveat, it takes about 200 hours for it to settle down and assume its neutral character. It sounds a little lean until that time.

I always find myself going to Cardas for a clean sound. If I want warm I will use the Cross or 300B Microtwin for an inexpensive good sound. For a neutral sound, then the Neutral Reference. With balanced cables, you will find there is less difference between cables sound with balanced than with single-ended/RCA cables. Even an inexpensive balanced cable can sound very good. The mistake is to spend too much. Speaker cables make more of a difference IMHO. The Vampire cables (sound connections) have good sounding balanced cables reasonable priced. Listen to all you can before you buy. Happy listening Jallen

depends on what you are looking for in sound.

neutral-
xlo signature ( there is a pair on audiogon but the price is too high imo).
coincedent - nice cable for the money

warm side/silky
discovery plus 4 - one of the best slighty warm cables that gets everything right(silky sound and gets details) and is a good deal new ( $300 from discovery - it used to be $600 retail). they are a freakin bargin used.

straightwire serenade - nice mid and very musical
wireworld eclipse - see above ( there are different versions)

hope that helps out..

good luck,

mike