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A good start on selecting cables?

Hello there in audio-land.

I am really having difficulty in selecting cables for my current system. It's time to upgrade as it's been years since I touched anything on it when it comes to wires.

The system runs McIntosh MC275 (two of them and may sell one in the future so I may or may not mono/bi-amp), McIntosh MC220 pre-amp, Rega P9 and a series of speakers, to which I will have to play with to determine which ones I keep. Infinity Reference 6's, Magneplanar III's, and Martin Logan Aerius's, oh and an older Paradigm self-powered sub.

In going through the list I was wondering about interconnects for the components and then speaker wires. XLR's, Coaxial or bare wires? After reading and researching many discussions on this I am more confused than I was originally.

I do want to start out simple, and inexpensive (say $500 - $1000) for all wires and see where I go from there.

Any advice, what do you use or what is your experience with certain cables/wires/connections would be very helpful.

Thanks and I do appreciate any comments.
npdoherty
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Blue Jeans cables would be a budget recommendation.
If your total budget is between $500 and $1,000. that is the place i would start.
You want a consensus on better cheap cables, and Blue Jean cables gets the most recommendations for new cables.
Other wires are Kimber PBJ interconnects, 4TC speaker wires., buy the 4TC used.
cmalak
681 posts
 
Npdoherty...I wouldn't select cables ahead of deciding which speaker you are going to keep. You can then use cabling to match the rest of the system with the speaker selected. Using the Cable Co. is a good way of taking advantage of their lending library to try out different brands/models. If you have a local dealer, I would also see, if they have a bunch of different cable looms that you can use. Some brands to consider:

Entry-level Transparent won TAS Budget Product of the Year award a bunch of times

Kimber Hero interconnects and 4TC speaker cables also won TAS Editor and Product of the Year awards (you will probably have to buy used to get in your price range)

If you can borrow either of these and test them out, that will be a good start.
istanbulu
291 posts
 
Morrow audio cables. I have ICs and PCs on my McIntosh amps and preamps (tube and SS), and they are very, very good together.

:) listening,

Ed
lapierre
547 posts
 
Analysis Plus has several models to choose from or you can review DH Labs.

Analysis Plus used on MC275 and C500 components.
bojack
539 posts
 
I agree w/Mceljo. If your system sounds good as is, leave well enough alone and save your coin. But if you need something new, I say look at one brand's lower-end models to keep cost down. Mixing and matching is just opening the door to a whole lot of wasted time and second guessing, IMO.
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