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Warm copper speaker cables under $500 new

Recent cable experiments have demonstrated two things to me:

1) I like copper better.
2) Unfortunately, while the economy brands are very good, it is possible to do better.

I am now in the market for something that will be warm - not bright in the least - and full, yet detailed. And I do seem to favor solid-core wire (single or more than one, individually wrapped) to stranded.

Any suggestions?
paulfolbrecht
driver's avatar
driver
746 posts
 
I am going to suggest Cardas Cross, although you'll have to buy them used for your price point.

I will simply say this-let your ears make the decision & don't let anybody influence that.

chashmal
605 posts
 
I whole heartedly second all of Gregg Straley's Reality Cable products. Fantastic bargain and amazing performance. Transparent as all hell and super detailed without harshness. However be careful with his tube interconnect, it doesn't work with all tube amps (like mine: an Art Audio Carissa). His speaker cables are THE BEST (certainly for the $$$).
jb0194
476 posts
 
Consider the Oyaide PA-02 ICs. Furukawa manufactured continuous cast copper wire, about $130 per 1m pair (won't lose much in resale) - what's not to like for a trial?
strateahed
251 posts
 
Another Gregg Straley Reality Cable convert here. Plenty of feedback and valuable information on A-gon and other sites. I got 'em and haven't looked back.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I own Straley speaker cables, and I own PA-02 interconnects, which I use betwen my preamp and amps. I have auditioned Straley XLR interconnects, which I tried between my digital source and preamp.

IMO, the Straley wire is more natural sounding than the PA-02, while still being transparent/neutral.

However, I have not compared PA-02 and Straley wire in exactly the same application.
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