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Need Opinions for Different Cable Manufacturers/Cable Designs

I have a McIntosh 200wpc receiver [MAC7200] and Focal Sopra 3 speakers - and am using low-grade cables. I'm looking to vastly improve my system with a complete cable upgrade. I like a warm sound with lots of clarity and detail and naturalness. I have been reviewing tons of literature and am intrigued by Cu/Ag and Cu/Ag/Au combinations. I will probably buy used, and look at offerings in the midrange to lower high-end range of products. Cannot afford the best each manufacturer has to offer. Looking to spend up to $2,000 for 3m speaker cables and up to $700 each for RCA and XLR cables. Again, I hope to buy used.

 

I am interested in opinions on the following manufacturers:

AUDIENCE

DH LABS

PURIST AUDIO DESIGN

SILNOTE

SNAKE RIVER

Please feel free to offer your opinions on these and any other recommendations you may have. I really appreciate your time and advice!! Thanks!

kinarow1
Post removed 
atanarjuat99's avatar
atanarjuat99
57 posts
 

Hi,

I am not an expert but can tell you that I went all in with DH Labs cables and my system felt bright, a bit tinny and lacking in depth. Then I tried just one Snake River Audio cable (the Boomslang SPDIF). I was literally blown away. Since then I have been slowly replacing all my cables with SRA. Surprisingly, changing the ethernet cables to SRA also had a huge positive effect.

The SRA power cables bring a sense of depth and calm to music. It is not like they add anything, rather they strip away sterility.

Oh, and I have the Focal Sopra 2s...

 

tommyu
41 posts
 

Kinarow1,

I'm not going to try and sell you on another cable line but I would take a serious look at Triode Wire Labs...

I've been using them for almost 5 years and love what they do, they should check all the boxes on your list.

I have used many cables in the past including Purist Audio Design and Snake River Audio both "Very Good" but you can buy the TWL cables for less than your estimated budget, and be very happy from my personal experience.

Check out some of the reviews on TWL and go from there.

Good Luck in finding your Musical Happiness.

Tom

 

megabyte
94 posts
 

I’m not saying don’t get nicer cables. But, unless your current cables are really bad, too thin, aren’t making a good connection or damaged, don’t expect significant improvements let alone “vast”. Any differences a cable can make, again, assuming there’s nothing really wrong with your existing ones, are very subtle. IMO anyone who says the differences between 2 decent quality, properly made cables is night and day, is exaggerating a bit. Just my opinion though. Having tried quite a few myself, from $150 to $3500.

 

I have come to see nice (expensive) cables as 98% cool audio jewelry. Nothing wrong with that. Just don’t expect huge improvements.

kennyc
1,452 posts
 

High value maybe bargain speaker cables:

  • Silversmith Fidelium
  • Kirmuss Adrenaline 

 Other safe quality SC options:

  • Iconoclast
  • Zenwave SCR-14/11

Learn about cable design here             
FYi- Silversmith will be offering interconnects soon, maybe available now             

More to discover