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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
tvad OP
9,467 posts
 
Sherod or Zorpman, thanks again for your replies. What's the diameter of the 4S11?
audionutge2e5a
9 posts
 
The Canare 4S11 is a good cable if terminated as manufacture specifies. Don't be afraid to use a good quality spade with this cable. The copper WBT spade is an excellent match.

Regards,
Alan Maher
ejliu
109 posts
 
To Alan:
I just bought some Canare speaker cables to experiment with. What is the recommanded termination method from Canare?
subaruguru
1,353 posts
 
Hi Tvad,
I'm not sure STUDIOS use this stuff, but recording engineers and roadies use it all the time for monitoring, as it's easy to work with and sounds great. I too have an EMC-1 SE, but probably will NOT blow another $1400 to have it tweaked by Empirical. Nonetheless it has such exquisitely natural top octave detail that I heard an improvement in going from Red Dawn to SPM on my Verity Audio Parsifal Encores. Yes, yes, I realize that 25' is a longish run, as I have 30 footers on my HT system surrounds, but there's a difference between applications here that makes me think twice about your options. Certainly you want enough copper to push the VR4 SEs from 25', with NO loss in rez or top octave detail provided by the EMC-1. Try the Canare, but I suspect that other high-current LINEAR cables MIGHT give you more life up top.
I very highly recommend the CANARE for budget systems, all HT, and for long runs for surrounds in any system. If you try it as an inexpensive first shot I suggest that you'll find it RELATIVELY very dynamic, but slightly softer on top than the most open, linear (Nordost, et al) cables, resulting in a neutral-to-laidback soundstage. It's indeed perfect for my Spendors in a HT setup, where most programming is too bright anyway, but with your (and my) 2 channel ref system just keep in mind its limitations. When I'm setting up friends' budget systems I start with it, then try Blue Heaven when more "life" is desired, but NOT at 25 feet. Keep in touch. Ern
tvad OP
9,467 posts
 
Ern,
Thanks for your thoughts. I am installing the Canare today, and will be receiving my modified EMC 1-UP next week, so I'll report back later with my impressions of the sound. A little softening of the top might not be a bad thing to my ears. Any specific suggestions for high-currnet, linear cables for my 30 foot run? You have mentioned Blue Heaven, but not for 30 feet.
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