Speaker cables comparison chart:: Much Needed

First, anyone's opinion is subject to their peculiarites, and system.
So no matter what, no systematic evaulation of speaker cables would ever do anyone any good, unless you happened to be the evaluators twin, and owned the same stuff.

All the generalizations about which one is best.. you can get a vague idea of what stuff sounds like out there. But one has to be willing to bother finding it and reading it all to even start getting an idea of what is what.
We all want a magic fix so we have the best, perfect sounding system at a low price.
that fantasy does not exist in the real world.

Finally, since the differences in cables is pretty small, chasing after the 'Holy Grail' of speaker calbes is basically folly.
You should just buy some local cable from a dealer in HI and don't worry, be happy.
And since this is not the answer you wanted to read.. Also do not bother to recognize any of what i wrote, and continue on you quest for the perfect speaker cable. Eventually you will find the right cable for your amp/speakers.. problem is as soon as you find it, you will go out and buy NEW SPEAKERS, or a new amp.. and have to start all over again.

I use Kimber 8TC only because it was well regarded by many writers.. That is good enough, and it sounds good. I have my grail and can eat it too. because i do not need perfection, just really good.

I guess that means i am not a 'real audiophile'.

As Elizabeth says..... This is the quest of Don Quixote. There is no "bible" of speaker wire. There can never be. You will never find the perfect cable because you will always wish for something "better" and others experience will not translate into your experience. I don't know your system, but, short of a $100,000 system, I don't you believe will know the difference. That said, go for low resistance (big gauge) and pure copper (with or without silver coating) and it will be fine. I have gone to Kimber Kable 8PR (naked ends) and Morrow SP-1 on the top and I'm happy. Please don't fret too much. Life is too short to be overly concerned about speaker wire. And, like Elizabeth, I am not an Audiophile.

Elisabeth, I doubt that I will go out and buy new speakers after I find what you term the "right speaker cable" I have been doing audio for 40 years, and I am not a fool
Your comments is similar to a friend's who once chastized me for buying a Phase Linear 400 power amp because he thought it would THEN COMPEL me to buy new speakers in a never ending spiral of buying. Did not happen!! I sold my beloved ESS-7 speakers to buy a Eurail pass, packed my bags, locked up the house, and travelled for 6 weeks in Europe.

If you need to know, when I returned and shook off the dust, I bought 4 large Advent speakers to create the infamous "stacked" double Advent system. And, Wow, did that sound awesome driven by Phase 400 amp....a fortuitous purchase

I don't think finding the appropriate cable, whether interconnect or speaker cable, (or even component), is lapsing into audio nervosa, but I do think it is plenty dumb to just plug in any old wire, and IMAGINE or PRETEND you are in hog heaven. I have a half of a utility drawer of IC's ranging in price from $50 to $700, and in age from 1988 to 2009, but I am not going to start collect speaker cables.

From what I read, Trnasparent Music Link Super is probably the ticket, or even the new Nordost LS Red Dawn. I have to use a use a 12 ft pair to accomodate the living set-up, and also avoid a nuclear war with the wife. So, I would say those pricey wires are eliminated; so, the other options I indicated before are under serious consideration.

KK's 12TC is overpriced for a 12 ft pair, and those lengths are not just gathering dust on audio show floor waiting to be discounted and moved out. Pairs of KK's 8TC often abound on Audiogon, but may be because long term owners are opting for the 12TC model, or greener sonic pastures with other brands. Nevertheless, they are an option, but my instincts tell me the Acoustic Zen Adagios will call for a one or two steps up the speaker cable ladder.

Lastly, I ask before, and I would like to know, unless classified by the NSA, what components, cables and ICs make up Elizabeth's audio system. BTW, I am an Audiophile but was cured of "audio nervosa" by Trappist monks who prescribed strong drink and Sunday NFL football. Thanks, Jim

If you give Alex at WyWires your information, he will build cables to fit your needs.

There is very little in common sonically between Transparent and Nordost cables. The Kimber are different too and fall more in the middle of the other two companies.