2. cables
  3. 1093784344

Good, Neutral, Reasonably Priced Cables?

After wading through mountains of claims, technical jargon etc. I'm hoping to hear from some folks who have had experience with good, neutral, reasonably priced cables. I have to recable my entire system after switching from Naim and want to get it right without going nuts! Here is what I'm looking for and the gear that I have:

Looking for something reasonably priced-i.e. used IC's around $100-150. Used speaker cable around $300-400 for 10ft pair.

Not looking for tone controls. I don't want to try to balance colorations in my system. I'd like cables that add/substract as little from the signal as possible.

Looking for something easily obtainable on the used market i.e. that I can find the whole set up I need without waiting for months and months. I guess this would limit you to some of the more popular brands. Without trying to lead you, here are some I've been considering:

Kimber Hero/Silver Streak
Analysis Plus Copper Oval/Oval 9
Cardas Twinlink/Neutral Reference (Pricey)
Wireworld Polaris/Equinox

Here is my gear:

VPI Scout/JMW9/ATML170
Audio Research SP16
Audio Research 100.2
Rotel RCD 971
Harbeth Compact 7

I would really appreciate your help on this. Thanks, as always.
dodgealum
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
This afternoon RX8man came over to meet me and bring some of his goodies. We listened to his Audio Logic DAC, some pretty expensive Shunyata snakes (had about six!), modded B&K monoblocks and Cardas Hexlink 5C interconnects (two pairs). We compared them to my MSE Gen II's and it wasn't funny. My 20 yr old neighbor came over and he was nodding his head. The MSE is superior in all respects--and by no small margin. We listened to a Liuba Maria Hevia recording--solo singer and grand piano. This was recorded in Cuba in one of their state of the art all tube studios. It was like there were two entirely different audio systems. RX8man *experienced* the ultra low noise floor & beef of a 220V isolation transformer based system and cotton insulated silver cables. My psychic prediction is that Rx8man will be contacting Robert and Sean soon. Treat him well, guys...

***
albertporter's avatar
albertporter
4,927 posts
 
Robert, regarding your post containing the following:

Marketing ploy: Our cables float in water. So far, that marketing approach has not worked for us...LOL!

Is this directed at Purist Audio? They are the only company I know using fluid. In spite of how they look, the conductors in Purist do not come in contact with the liquid (I do their photography).

Regarding this entire subject and all the technical data posted (by everyone). I enjoy specifications as much as the next guy. However, it is not infrequent that a Yamaha or Denon's technical specifications "prove" them to be superior in the (all important) distortion and signal to noise specifications. Much superior to a VTL 750, Audio Research VT200 or (at signal level) an Aesthetix Callisto.

Problem is, the audiophile gear keeps kicking the cheap stuffs ass when it comes down to listening to the music.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Albert, you said "No posting from me for a while". I was hoping you'd aleady be in Sweden taking some of the *special* pictures I requested. Remember, not everything is audio...

I was already thinking about buying you a bottle of Barrilito "cuatro estrellas", pretty gourmet stuff!

With psychic power and primal intensity,
albertporter's avatar
albertporter
4,927 posts
 
Psychic, I will soon be on a plane to Sweden. Probably no posts until first of October.

The job begins Sept 7th and much of the reason for that thread was to announce Audiogon's commitment to European audio shows. Also explains my slow (or non) response to questions or offers on my Audiogon ads during that time.
essentialaudio
1,147 posts
 
Albert, Purist is not the only company making audio cables using fluid. Creative Cable Concepts is another.

Brian
More to discover