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Canare Star Quad 4S11 too Mid-Fi?

I'm upgrading my system to include Von Schweikert VR4 SE's driven by a Bryston 14B SST, First Sound Presence Deluxe II preamp with an Empirical Audio modded EMC 1-UP CD player. My present "no-name" speaker cable is a 25 foot in-wall installation (where any replacement cable must also be run). I know I should upgrade my cable, but the length required translates to big bucks for high end cables, not to mention the need to keep the cabling to a manageable diameter for the in-wall installation. I've read some posts from Audiogon member Subaruguru mentioning Canare Star Quad 4S11 as a very good economical cable used by recording studios. Anyone have experience with this cable? Any other suggestions?
tvad
zorpman
87 posts
 
There is currently a deragatory thread on Audioasylum.com on the Star Quad cable. I disagree.

I have a 15 foot run of Star Quad (Bettercable?) that I am very pleased with. Smooth (not dull) crisp but not harsh.

Sounds great to me at a reasonable price.
tvad OP
9,467 posts
 
Thanks, Zorpman. I'll take a look at the AudioAsylum thread. Is your cable Star Quad or Bettercable? It's not clear to me from your post which you have. At $.69 per foot, Canare 4S11 seems like a relatively inexpensive experiment.
sherod
1,681 posts
 
I'm in agreement with Zorpman. I have a 12' run in my second system and they have bettered all the zip-types,plus a few name brands I won't mention. The derogatory comment in the cable asylum was mentioned, I believe, by the infamous J. Risch, of DIY cable fame.He stated( in so many words) that the Canare was not much better than zip cord.I am in the process of evaluating one of Mr. Risch's famous designs and will compare the two. It is sad that a lot of "garage-type" cable sellers will take the Canare 4s11 cables and dress them up a bit and sell them for double or more of what you can get them for from a distributor, but even then, I still feel that they are a good bargain. For the price, it is worth an evaluation.Even if they don't meet your listening requirements, you won't have to take a great loss. It is a large guage cable, so make sure you know what you are doing if you DIY some connectors on them. Have some fun and enjoy.
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