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Signal vs. Audio Art vs. Speltz Anti? Need help...

I'm looking to get an interconnect cable (between int. amp and cd player) and speaker wire at a budget. Has anyone compared two or all three of these brands? Has anyone heard anything better at the $100 and under range outside of these brands (that has compared them to any of these brands)?

I'm intentionally not mentioning what my system comprises (partially because I haven't bought the components yet), but mostly because I'm just looking for general comparisons and otehr people's experiences. Also, to circumvent anyone trying to tell me that it's all individual based on my system, I understand that, and for those who want to tell me to audition them first, I just don't have the patience for it. I just want to buy some cables based on general recommendations. If I'm really unhappy with them, I can try and upgrade or switch later on. No offense anyone, just being honest and trying to keep things simple. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
soulgoober
mtrot
642 posts
 
Well, I've been A/B comparing the AA IC-1 and IC-3 for several days now. I probably have around 10 to 15 hours on the IC-3. Maybe it has something to do with my 50+ year old status, but I am having a real hard time hearing much difference. In the mid-range, I may actually prefer the IC-1.

I have the IC-1 connected to the front L/R multichannel input, while the IC-3 are connected to the MD/DAT input and selecting "analog direct". That way, I can switch rapidly between them.
mboldda1's avatar
mboldda1
386 posts
 
mtrot. here are some of the things you can listen for when comparing the ic-1's to ic-3's.
listen to the quietness of the background.
listen to the dynamic range, how fast one goes from soft to loud.
overall balance of frequency range.
power of bass.
high frequency extension.
soundstage/imaging.
tonality.
mtrot
642 posts
 
Thanks, Mboldda1

OK, I left the CD player repeating a CD for 2 or 3 days through the IC-3s to burn them in some more.

Still really hard to hear a big difference between the IC-1 and IC-3. I think the IC-3 has just a bit more HF extension and clarity than IC-1. I don't hear any difference at all in LF impact or extension.

Next, I replaced the IC-1 with the Speltz anti-ic. Pretty much the same result: hard to tell a difference, but the IC-3 had a bit more clarity and HF.

Actually, it seems that the Speltz and the IC-1 sound very similar, which I guess is not terribly surprising, since they are both copper cables. Which would seem to make the IC-1 a bargain at their price!

At this point, given the edge in clarity for the IC-3s, which may be a benefit in understanding dialog in movies and lyrics in music, I am thinking they may be my top choice of this group.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
I was a big fan of Anti Cable speaker wires. Seeing how a bare wire works, I
wondered about how a bare ribbon would perform. There are some fairly
expensive versions out there using ribbons. I made my own out of nines and
nines pure 12 gauge copper ribbon that happened to be 2 inches wide. The
highs, dynamics, and detail all took a shocking leap forward.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
Oh my - someone said that anti-cables are weak in the bass?? With my Vandersteen 5A's they literally shake the house with organ, bass drum, etc.
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