Looking for really fine cables at really low price

Grannyring and Mikirob, the 6-foot long SCs are already constructed using Cardas GRS spades. They were burned in for over 2 days on the Audiodharma cooker and then for another full day in my system with Ayre's Full Glide Tone. They sound very good and I doubt the spades made much difference one way or another since the signal also routes through two sets of Cardas binding posts, at the amp and speakers. I do believe that running the cables as an external bi-wired pair, doubling both the MF/HF and LF runs (4 wires to each) for less resistance, using the larger 14awg wire for LF while keeping the 16awg for the MF/HF, and the closely spaced/twisted quad geometry (which reduces inductance), all probably played a positive role, particularly since I am driving moderately efficient (but known to be power hungry) speakers using a powerful high current amplifier. I suspect the aggregate 13 awg for MF/HF and 11 awg for LF is more than adequate for a 6-foot run but I would be interested in hearing even larger versions of this wire.

Regarding the ICs, I cannot use the same connectors as everyone else here because my system is fully balanced - so I need XLR connectors. The two I mentioned, Furutech 601/602 and Vampire XLR, are connectors I have on-hand for cable projects, so would not cost me anything. I looked up Switchcraft XLR connectors and the pins are listed as being a "copper alloy." The Vampire connectors are also listed as having copper alloy pins. The Furutech connectors have beryllium copper and phosphor bronze pins that have been treated with Furutech's proprietary Alpha process, which includes demagnetization and cryogenic treatments.

I would have no problem ordering Switchcraft XLR connectors from Parts Express since they would only cost me about $35 for all 8 connectors (I am making two pairs of cables) but I am skeptical there would be a sonic difference between those and the Vampire connectors, since the signal will be traveling through high quality Cardas XLR connectors at the amp and preamp. OTOH, the Furutech connectors have improved the sound of every cable I have used them on.

I appreciate that Mr. Shirokazu Yazaki and Jeff Day brought these good sounding wires to our attention (and that you guys have shared your findings so prompting me to give them a try), but I am not of the belief that the configuration and connectors they use are the only ones that will result in good sound. The laws of physics still apply. I don't mind being the Guinea pig for trying things differently and I will report back on what I hear.

Mitch2,
The "extra warmth" was the phrase I used to describe the sound of the lower mids before the Belden IC's were fully broken in. I had become concerned since I had well over 100 hours on them and still hearing in my system on many classical orchestral recordings, the lower strings sounding thick and muddy. At about 150 hours the muddiness cleared up and the Belden IC's have continued to sound clear and clean but with a rich and natural tone throughout the frequency range.

Today I put the Kondo KSL-LP interconnects back in and I do appreciate the added transparency depth and detail they provide. A truly beautiful deep musical presentation. As I have mentioned above I dont think I will buy the Kondo IC's, but ultimately I would like to find interconnects that have the musicality and tone of Belden but also a bit more transparency and deeply nuanced sound of Kondo. My system is capable of all of the above musical traits and it makes sense for me to look for an interconnect that I would be 100% satisfied with.

Belden IC's have continued to sound clear and clean but with a rich and natural tone throughout the frequency range.

Thanks Jetrexpro for the clarification. That is pretty much what I look for in all my components and cables so I look forward to finishing the IC project. After all the work you have put in, you are obviously very in-tune with the sound of your well-done system, and what you are looking for. Good luck finding the right ICs.

Mitch2, Jetrexpro,
Agreed, appreciate all the experimenting, good luck and let us know what you find out. Best, Rob

Mitch2, understand your thoughts but simply want to point out all connectors have a sound. I don't use binding post either as they also hurt the sound. I just use them as a clamp to hold the wires. That is the best connection.