Cable Survey
The idea for this thread came from @sautan 904 op titled “Who thinks $ Speaker cable really better than generic 14awg cable?
My reply:
From op:
SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? OR I AM THE LAST PERSON TO FIND OUT THAT EXPENSIVE CABLE JUST A RIP OFF?
Some are, some are definitely not. It really is a matter of discovering what brands out there (and there a lot) offer the best performance for your money. Some are really worth the money and clearly they offer a big increase in sound quality. It seems the dealers you used were not very discriminating about what brands they carry. This does not surprise me since I have found many are not well informed. You really need to seek out somebody who has compared different makes of cable and really believes in what they are selling.
So I thought it a good idea to pool knowledge on this subject and make a list of what people are using and why. This is my current preferences:
Speaker: Hi Diamond 7
IC XLR: Hi Diamond XLR 3
USB: Vovox
Ethernet: AQVOX, Vovox
Power: Belden
The Hi Diamond speaker cable was so much better than other cables I have tried to date. The increase in musicality, depth and detail in bass, increased sound stage and cleaner more detailed top where some of the benefits I had with this cable. The same can be said of their XLR interconnect.
The Vovox I have only been able to compare with some generic cables, and it is much clearer than those. I intend trying some other brands in the near future and I will post my findings.
Ethernet cables I find make a difference and I am currently using both Vovox and AQVOX, compared to various generic makes and the blue Meicord these are both much preferred, opening the sound stage and lowering the noise floor.
Power cables I haven’t so far experimented with a great deal, I’m using heavy Belden cables that are part of a dedicated mains spur arrangement, so that each individual piece of equipment has its own spur. In order to test cable types I will need to introduce a mains block (Shunyata?).
My reply:
From op:
SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? OR I AM THE LAST PERSON TO FIND OUT THAT EXPENSIVE CABLE JUST A RIP OFF?
Some are, some are definitely not. It really is a matter of discovering what brands out there (and there a lot) offer the best performance for your money. Some are really worth the money and clearly they offer a big increase in sound quality. It seems the dealers you used were not very discriminating about what brands they carry. This does not surprise me since I have found many are not well informed. You really need to seek out somebody who has compared different makes of cable and really believes in what they are selling.
So I thought it a good idea to pool knowledge on this subject and make a list of what people are using and why. This is my current preferences:
Speaker: Hi Diamond 7
IC XLR: Hi Diamond XLR 3
USB: Vovox
Ethernet: AQVOX, Vovox
Power: Belden
The Hi Diamond speaker cable was so much better than other cables I have tried to date. The increase in musicality, depth and detail in bass, increased sound stage and cleaner more detailed top where some of the benefits I had with this cable. The same can be said of their XLR interconnect.
The Vovox I have only been able to compare with some generic cables, and it is much clearer than those. I intend trying some other brands in the near future and I will post my findings.
Ethernet cables I find make a difference and I am currently using both Vovox and AQVOX, compared to various generic makes and the blue Meicord these are both much preferred, opening the sound stage and lowering the noise floor.
Power cables I haven’t so far experimented with a great deal, I’m using heavy Belden cables that are part of a dedicated mains spur arrangement, so that each individual piece of equipment has its own spur. In order to test cable types I will need to introduce a mains block (Shunyata?).
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- 88 posts total
Some info on above, including CAT 6 isolator http://www.sotm-audio.com/files/Accessories/dCBL-CAT7/dCBL-CAT7_with_iSO-CAT6_SE_Operating_Instructi... |
@toetapaudio, If you have not read this Audiogon Forum you should read it in its entirety, it is short but somewhat interesting: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/shielded-power-cord-best-used-on-digital-source-or-on-tube-am... Yes, the DPS-4 is somewhat new, it's been out for several months. Some of my Furutech power cords were made with the NCF connectors and they are very good, I have other Furutech power cords that were made with a much less expensive connector (Set Copper Rhodium Plated US AC Power Plug Carbon Fiber Connector Adapter): http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Set-Copper-Rhodium-Plated-US-AC-Power-Plug-Carbon-Fiber-Connector-Adapter/... I don't mean to start any controversy however I could not tell a difference other than in my checkbook. The FP-TCS21 or FP-TCS31 is more laid back vs the PF-SO22N is more forward and detailed. I own an FP-TCS21 (14 gauge). Most of the Furutech power cords I own were built for me by Mike Kay of Audio Archon in Illinois, a very nice and very knowledgeable audiophile and store owner. BTW; I am not affiliated nor do I have any financital interests in this hobby, just trying to pass on a good thing to others. |
toetapaudio....cable manufacturing can be a complex undertaking...therefore more expensive. Unique metal core, fancy windings, etc. all make a difference. In truth you have to find the cable that voices with your system to your satisfaction. That effort may or may not result in an expensive cable. I use ClearDay cables....not expensive, but they work very well with my components. If you touch base with ClearDay, he'll send you a trial set for a free evaluation. I have no financial interest in ClearDay...only like the results. |
- 88 posts total