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Stupid Question-What's the best way to choose?

OK-Here it goes. The more I read on this board the more confused I get. It seems half the posts here talk about cable manufacturers selling snake oil and the other half completely buying into what they are selling. Are they both right/wrong? I just ordered some new equipment and am not new to this hobby but I'm far from technical. If you want to talk wine I can hold my own with just about anyone. I know if I lay out my component list and musical preferences, I'll get 50 responses sending me in 50 different directions. What does one do if they know they love the sound they've chosen but can't see having to spend ANOTHER fortune on cables they thought they already owned? I'll lay out what I own and it may clarify my previous question.

Source: Cary 306 SACD
Pre amp: Aesthetix Calypso
Amps: Quicksilver V4
Speakers: Vandersteen 5
Interconnects: Magnan Vi, Audioquest Diamond
Speaker Cable: Biwire Audioquest Sterling and Midnight

I'm looking for a common sense approach to this process. Obviously I've made a serious investment and am not looking to cheap out when it comes to sound but honestly I don't have any idea where to begin.

Thanks in advance for any insight.
128x128jeffmazen
uppermidfi
277 posts
 
I'm not sure what you're getting at, since you own AudioQuest Diamond (which as I recall was about $1000/m), and you've spent good money on the speaker cable too.

Whenever i read the threads where someone is asking for recommendations it only turns into a "this is my favorite so you should buy it too" session.

If you don't want something don't buy it! If you're happy with your cable, why are you even asking. You can't think that cable is snake oil since you've already got expensive cable.

I know the ICs I have now are a lot better than the cheap ones I had before. I know my speaker cable isn't very good. I bought into the fad of the Paul Speltz Anti-cable hype. What a waste of money that was but it's what I have now; besides it's all I could afford at the time.

The only way to buy is by listening. If you have snake oil dripping from your ears after listening, don't buy that cable.
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sfar
1,352 posts
 
Timrhu, I know it was a rhetorical question but, yes, wine enthusiasts DO argue endlessly over what kind of wine glass is best. Here's a quote as an example:

"The finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes are those made by Riedel. The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference they make." - Robert Parker, Jr.

At least when an audiophile buys an overpriced interconnect there's not too much chance he'll drop and break it the first time he uses it.
hooper
396 posts
 
I second the Cable Company recommendation. If you're curious about cables, they're the best resource I know of. They stock a lot of different cables, in various lengths, and offer very good customer service. They'll let you borrow whatever you want from their lending library, and that way, you can reach your own conclusions. URL is www.fatwyre.com.
rjdcan
12 posts
 
Jeffmazen don't fall for the cable game. They are minor tone controls, what you have is fine. If you really want to balance your system tonally consider a digital eq. They are reasonably priced now{behringer deq2496 is $300}and will do more for your sound than any 3 ft. interconnect especially if {when!!} you change components and need to re-balance again.
bigkidz
1,784 posts
 
First off, get dediated lines and install better outlets. Second, install DIY noise reduction. Last, try power cords. I do hear differences in the various power cords but those differences were greatly reduced one I implemented the first two steps.

Happy Listening.
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