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"Budget" cable advice, please

Hi,

I'm piecing together the first refresh of my audio system in over 20 years! :-)

I've purchased a pair of Totem Arros and a Music Hall CD 25.2 CD player. I'll also be running a refurbished SOTA Sapphire and a PS Audio Elite Plus integrated amp. The only speaker cables I have right now are Monster Cable Powerline 2's that I used to bi-wire my old Vandersteen 2C's in the late 1980's.

I need best-bang-for-the-buck interconnect, power cord (for the CD) and speaker cable recommendations. I can't break the bank on cables, but want to get a marked improvement in the system.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!
rebbi
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
I can't break the bank on cables, but want to get a marked improvement in the system.

Monster cables are generally a high priced and higher build quality cable brand already. If you are looking for value then I'd stick with them - especially as you already paid for them. I don't think it would be wise to spend more.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
My experience with Monster cables is limited to the Interlink 400 II, which was fine for the $35 I paid.

I have a couple of Auricle Audio interconnects. These are auctioned here and can be picked up quite reasonably.

I also have a couple of Acoustic Zen El Nino power cords. I have heard other AZ varieties in different setups, and I would suggest this brand as a good place to start. Another make I like is Atlas; I'm very pleased with my Atlas Opus digital interconnect. Finally, I have a pair of Audioquest Type 4+ speaker cables in my second system and I think these are very good for the money I paid.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
You should specify a budget. To some, a budget interconnect is $50, to others it's $500.

If you can swing $275 for speaker cables, I believe Gregg Straley's Reality Cable is tough to beat.

If that price is too high, then I'd keep what you have.

KAB (kabusa.com) sells interconnects made by Mogami that sell for under $50/pair. They have other models that sell for under $100/pair. These are outstanding interconnects from a proven manufacturer.
karelfd
476 posts
 
Difficult to give absolute recommendations since there is always a lot of 2nd hand, demo and factory sell-out stuff on offer. Then again often not just quite what you were looking for, which is where sellers become interesting that grant you a trial period. In the budget segment at regular retail price, I have found Kimber (e.g. TC 4 All Clear speaker + Timbre IC) but also Siltech professional series (MXT London speaker + IC) to be rewarding. How much are you willing to spend and what lengths of cable would you need?
reubent
3,587 posts
 
Rebbi,

If it fits your budget, you may want to go with a full compliment of cables from Morrow Audio. Mike Morrow personally builds each cable and they are of good quality and design. He also offers a 60 day in-home trial, so you can try them for 2 months and return them if they don't meet your approval. Check out the Morrow Audio classified ads here on AudiogoN for information and links to the Morrow Audio site.

Enjoy,

TIC
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