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Shopping for Interconnects

Now that I am building two, two speaker stereo systems in my home, I will need some more IC's.  Here are the pieces of equipment I will be using.  Unsure yet about how to pair the amps to speakers but will try both with each pair of speakers to see which sounds best with which pair.

Denon PMA 520  Integrated amp circa 1989
Yamaha A 500 Integrated amp circa 1984
Yamaha S300 CD player.  Two years old.
Onkyo TA-RW311 Cassette Deck.  circa 1997
Carver TX 11a Tuner.  circa 1986

Budge for a pair of IC's is under $100 for each pair.  Will likely buy two.

Currently have Audio Art IC3's which are nice.  Going to still use them.  Also have a pair of Blue Jeans Cable LC-! which I plan to keep.  

Any suggestions?  Not exactly sure how to shop for cables of this nature since each manufacturer seems to claim different sonic characteristics for each cable.  


will62
will62 OP
177 posts
 
I do own the IC3 IC and am very happy with them.  Perhaps I should just stick with them.  Also like the LC-1 I ordered from BJC as well.  Different sound but still decent.  Not as good to my ears as the IC3 though.

Have ordered the Morrow MA1.1 and will at least try them.  May be surprised.  

Would like to avoid buying a new amp right now.  Money is tight.  Have home upgrades that come first and have to pay a ton for heat right now due to the cold temperatures.  Figured I could get by with the amps I have for now and if they really fail then look at new.  Always was happy with the A 500 from Yamaha and the Denon PMA 520 also sounds excellent though different than the Yamaha.  I don't know why some people think just because a amp is 30 years old it still can't sound good.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
marqmike, as a retired teacher I ain’t rich .You described the IC-3se better than I can and you are spot on .
I first bought 2 with DHL as there is a price difference.
AudioArt had told me the Shadows were better though and as he is as honest as it gets, few weeks later sprung for a pr with the Shadows.
DHL prima , Shadows off the chart !
Month later I sprung for a 3 meter Shadow which is placement necessary in my small condo and I know the most important IC is between the pre and amp . System is better than I ever thought possible in my small condo .
ddrave44
148 posts
 
Transparent +1

will62 OP
177 posts
 
One of the major advantages to cables is that it will help shore up shortcomings in some parts of a system with improved audio quality.  A much more affordable way to upgrade the sound of a system vs buying new and much more expensive gear.
perazzi28's avatar
perazzi28
245 posts
 
I purchased an adequate length of Belden 9259 on eBay and the RCA's from Parts Express
Gold Male RCA's https://www.parts-express.com/neutrik-rean-nys352g-rca-plug-connector-gold--092-112
Nickel Male RCA's https://www.parts-express.com/neutrik-rean-nys352-rca-plug-connector-nickel--092-110
These Neutrik connectors worked very well but require soldering. Avoid crimp types. Match the metals at each end to your amplifiers Female RCA's and your Preamps RCA's
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