2. cables
  3. 128748-3677

the eternal cable question

Hi Everyone,

My goal here is to whittle down the mess that is the interconnect jungle with the help of my wise, knowledgable, and generous Audiogoners.

I have been researching and reading tons of stuff, Copper, Silver, Silver over Copper, Gold, Palladium, Rhodium, Fluids, 4N-9N, 99.999%, 99.9999%, 99.99999%, OCC, OHCC, OFC, Twisted, Helix, Double Helix, Solid wire, Stranded wire, Teflon, Air, Shielded, Unshielded, XLR, RCAs,.... Head Exploding!

Some of you have given me some great advice already but I have more questions. 

There seems to be a rule of thought that Silver sounds better with Tubes and Copper / Gold sounds better with Solid State. And well made Pure Solid Silver will sound good with both. Of course I know that it will all depend on my own ears when it comes down to it. However is there some truth to that? 

Is it true that mixing metals can produce different sonic results? Example... Gold RCAs will help tone down Silver wire? Or Silver Eichmanns RCAs can liven up Copper wire? It has been suggested that I use Silver plugs with Silver over Copper wire in teflon. That is the Morrow configuration.

Is it best to go with one company if they offer all the different cables or is combining different okay? You'll see from my list below that Almadi, Cabledyne, and Cerious do not offer a full set of cables.

Should I use the same company for interconnects from the VPI to the Herron and then the Herron to the Coda? The Herron is a Tube Phono preamp. 

Would like to hear from those of you who own SS amps and or similar systems to mine. Those of you who own Tubes amps will have to convince me that your interconnects will sound good on SS.  

My current system is

Coda CSIB Integrated Amp
Oppo BDP 105D
VPI Scout Turntable with an Ortofon 2m Bronze mm cartridge
Herron Audio VTHP-1 Tube Phono Preamp
Revel F52 Speakers
SVS SB13 Ultra Subwoofer
Furman Linear Filtering AC Power Source Conditioner ELITE-15 DMI

Currently running Blue Jeans between everything with 12 gauge copper for the Revels.

They sound alright. A little grainy in the upper ranges, Sound stage fluctuates with the recordings. The biggest thing is that I can't help but think that my sound can be better.

My budget is $1500 for all the cables and interconnects. Used is good.

My current list of cables to audition consists of Morrow, Almadi, Cabledyne, Cerious Graphene Extreme, Gabriel Gold Revelations.

Thank You for your time and generosity in teaching this Audio Grasshopper the ways of the Audiophile Force.

Peace,

Mark 



meambler
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,020 posts
 
Any combination of metals that give you the desired sound in your system is almost guaranteed not to work in a different one. There are no absolutes as to which metal imparts which sound quality. It's all in the construction/implementation and even then, you have to contend with your amp, source, and speakers. All you can do is try, try, again until you get what you want.

All the best,
Nonoise

chrisr's avatar
chrisr
543 posts
 
One famous cable maker has had the courage to say that the law of diminishing return hits right after his base model.  After that, you're in buying trophee material and unproveable constructions based on hypothesis.
I think cables cable make a difference, but there's no need to spend a fortune for optimum performance.
gshepardbuster's avatar
gshepardbuster
620 posts
 
+1 for AQ. 
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
I suggest ordering from a company that provides a return policy such as Signal Cable or Morrow Audio. Talk to them about which model is best for you. I like the Silver Resolution from Signal.

Is it true that mixing metals can produce different sonic results?
Never compared the sound of different connector metallurgy, but silver and copper are combined to make the conductor in my cables, (Purist Audio and Grover Huffman Empress). 
I think it's a generalization to say that only copper or only silver will sound right in a given system. It depends on the design of the cable which includes the conductor, the dielectric, and the dampening material, and of course the design of the components being used.

The VPI to the Herron should be treated differently than line stage components where almost any IC can be used. TT to phonostage requires a low capacitance cable, plus this is where you are likely to hear a difference in sonics between different metals and cable design.

nicotico
187 posts
 
I am not sure what "the" question is; I counted more than one. Only someone who knows the characteristics of all your components would have a chance at being able to help you decide on cable recommendations. One of those people is you, and you're opinion is the most important. I would start by replacing only ONE set of interconnects, between the Oppo and your integrated, and just listening for a few weeks to get a handle on what that change did. Then go from there. There is no way to shortcut this process, and you need to come to your own conclusions. You'll be happier in the end. Good luck.
More to discover