RCA interconnect recommendation


Would like recommendations for interconnects for both analog and digital side to an integrated Rogue Cronus amp from a Nottingham/EAR 834P on one side and an Antelope Zodiac DAC on the other side. What should I be looking at and what kind of budget should I set. I'm thinking up to $500  for a pair but have no idea. Thanks for all advice.

smaarch1

@stuartk comparing cables without EQ in the chain and without tweaking the sound with an EQ is less than ideal test? 
I think you have it backwards. 

@decooney:

I will try the Coppers by themselves, without the Lokius and with the Lokius in conjunction with the Silvers, as you've suggested.

@audphile1:

Well, no, as I use the Lokius with most CDs, now. It makes sense to me to demo the cable in exactly the same way I'm currently using the Silver Reference. At least that strikes me as the most logical approach-- an "apples to apples" comparison

 I recognize that I can compare both cables without the Lokius in the system and I'll certainly do that but that's not how I'll ultimately be using whichever cable I settle on in the end. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IC's - I just went through all my cables laying around last week looking for what to keep and what to move. I thought I was pretty content with all things gold and was using Stealth PGS and Gabriel Gold Rapture. I wove in Jade Moontails and DACT Dual Connect gold, and my own pair of DIY solid gold cables. I still wasn't getting rid of a few things I did not like so I ordered a pair of Silnote Morpheus Ref 3 with the clear expectation that if I did not like them I would send them back under his policy. They sent me a 1.5 M pair of XLR's for the 1 M price of 395. These were already burned in. I put them into the pre-to-amp slot and there wasn't really any difference to the Gabriels. Then I took my head out of my butt and tried them in the dac to pre slot and the magic happened. They removed my smearing, improved bass clarity, and gave a brighter but more relaxed presentation. So I evaluated the pre to amp side and found the Jade Moontails the best match for now. I will be ordering another set of Silnotes soon for the pre to amp position. Hs combination of alloys really hit it out of the park for me.

PC's and digital: I use DCCA flat ribbon and Verastarr flat ribbon power cables and a Shunyata over-priced Sigma USB cable. I can't offer much in recommendations for those cables. The PC's are smooth and quiet.

Speaker cables: Silversmith Fideliums. 

There are often mentions of having a one-company loom from start to finish, but I have never heard why that would be helpful. It would seem that too much of a good thing might result. Not sure.

In summary, IC's for me were never about getting the next digit of purity out of copper but looking for combinations of alloys to give you the best of all metals like copper, silver, and gold. And to explore mechanical configurations that might offer some electrical advantages outside of the standard round wire in a twisted bundle. But the wire metallurgy has seemed to be more impactful to me.

Certainly take advantage of trial periods to try before you commit from the reputable dealers.