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Harsh cable audio solution?

I have my TV stereo output routed through my 2 channel tubed preamp and Sonographe amp. The sound on most cable stations (regular analog basic cable) is terribly harsh, hashy, sibilant and distorted in the treble. Seems to be somewhat channel dependent - the audio quality of each channel seems to be hit or miss, levels and mix and distortion seems to be all over the place. Ie, most of the disortion seems beyond my control if its at the station engineering level. But maybe there is something that is system dependent on my end?

Anyone experience this problem or know of a solution? Maybe sheilding/filtering at the cable level? Have a low end Monster power sheild/strip - haven't used for the cable routing as of yet.

Are their "high end" sheilded coax jumpers? (need about 4-5 feet).
gdoodle
elevick
2,638 posts
 
Johnj has a point about signal quality.
However, having had dishnet for 10 years and now Directv, the sound quality is lame. It is compressed with a lack of dynamics. If you have an average tubed system, you won't be happy with satellite either. If I had to chose, I would stay away from XM-they don't shut up. No ads, bull...they only have ads for themselves every 10-15 minutes.
My solution would be cable with digital output. Run this through a decent D/A and you will get the most out of it possible.
plato
1,543 posts
 
I have to agree with Elevick. I have Comcast digital cable with the Motorola HD box (digital coax hookup into a Sherwood 5.1 Surround receiver) and the sound quality is very good.

On the channels that broadcast in 5.1 surround, the HD picture is better quality than a standard DVD and the sound is every bit as good in every way. On other channels the sound quality is still very good and totally acceptable. Some channels sound slightly better than others, but I haven't found any that sound bad in the ways that you've described.
cheapmike
85 posts
 
Over the years in trying for better TV sound, Iv'e had good luck with using MIT T2 interconnects. They seem to do the best job of straightening-out lousy consumer audio sources. Should be easy to find cheap these days used. Also for best TV sound is the same as "real HiFi", need the best power to the TV etc. Some sort of filter on TV helps, I'm using $25 Trip Lite on TV power inlet. This is not best choice for stero components but helps TV alot. Best cheap speaker cable for me was Audioquest CV4 to tame TV harshness. I have since moved on to PureNote speaker wire. GoodLuck and let us know how it all works out. Mike.
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