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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
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
You can pick up a pair of Alpha Core Micro Purl Cu interconnects for around $50.00 used and make your own power cords based on the Asylum cord recipe.
facten
931 posts
 
Miht want to checkout SignalCable (advertise here on the Gon- I'm not affliated) for speaker cable and ICs - Audio Art Cable also advertise here - I'll make thes ame disclaimer - for good affordable & to my ears PC that you can hear a difference with.
celtic66
990 posts
 
Second the Signal Cable. Very difficult to match, nearly impossible to beat for the money. Usually need to spend 2-3 times more to beat them outright. I'm very familiar with the PS Elite. The preamp section is still quite viable, however, and it is a BIG however, the power section is really thin and non-musical. Might I suggest using the preamp section and running say a Hafler 120 or even an Adcom 555. Not much money and they will bury the Elite. Good luck
curio's avatar
curio
294 posts
 
I agree with Facten .. I have 3 mters pair IC3 Art Audio Cable from CD to preamp and it sounds fantastic for the cheapo price it costs..

My cent!
musicnoise
377 posts
 
Blue Jean cable sells Belden cable at any length you specify as well as interconnects. You can also buy Belden from a electrical supply house like Allied Electronics but you will likely have to buy it in either 500 or 1000 ft rolls. However, the only reason that I would even bother to replace the cable you already have is if you need larger AWG. If you already have #12 or #14 wire, then there is really no need to do anything. Ditto for a power cord. Buying new cable and power cord is not going to get you marked improvement - it will not get you an improvement.
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