I need cables for my 2 channel system


Hi all,

I find the cable discussion very confusing, and it's pretty tough to separate the snake oil from the substance. Here is my current system:

  • MacBook Pro (late 2016 - USB-C) --- <Generic Cheap USB Cable>
  • Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ --- <Monoprice Premium XLR> 
  • Rotel RC-1590 Preamp --- <Monoprice Premium XLR> (Runs to Headphone setup on Out2)
  • Rotel RB-1582mk --- <Monoprice Access Series 14 Gauge AWG CL2 Rated 2 Speaker Cable> 
  • B&W 805 D3
Notes
  • Considering getting an SBooster power upgrade for Mytek, but they aren't currently available (open to other options)
  • 805s will be replaced with 802 D3 at some point this year
  • Considering a different amp, if the Rotel doesn't pair well with the 802D3
  • I only listen to digital streaming music with this setup - usually Tidal
  • Occasionally use a Yamaha WXC-50 to AirPlay to the Mytek

Happy to hear any advice about the system, but in particular cabling. I am not looking to break the bank, but if there is substantial improvement to be had for a few hundred dollars, I'd love to hear suggestions. I am not, however, looking super expensive cables and cords. As for sound, I do love the sound of the 805 (and 802 when I've heard it), so I'm not looking to make some radical change to the sound signature. Just more of the awesome I already hear. Thanks!
Ag insider logo xs@2xmayoradamwest
Mayor - a caution...
I've not had much success getting responses to emails sent to The Cable Co.  Maybe that is just me.  On the other hand, dialing in and talking direct to one of their sales people (Stephen, usually for me) has worked very well.  They've been very generous with their time.  Good luck.
When it comes to interconnects, cables, and PCs, there's really very little reason to not just buy used and flip as necessary.  You'll save a ton over buying new, so I just don't see the value of something like the Cable Co. because used wires are such a better value and so easy and cheap to ship. 

Ok, so, here's what I'd do.  Read reviews of cables and find the ones that you think possess the qualities you'd like to improve upon in your system.  Be a little patient and wait for them to become available at a good price here and go for it.  Short of that, I can wholeheartedly recommend Acoustic Zen cables as a great place to start.  Why?  Because they offer a solid glimpse into high-end cables at a very good value used.  Specifically, buy some used Silver Reference interconnects (series 1 or 2) and either Satori or Hologram speaker cables (whichever you can afford), and just start there.  I've tried lots of wires over the years, and I just find these to be a good tipping point between budget and expensive wires while being relatively affordable and easy to sell used.  

As for B&W, look, I hear that you like the sound and that's great.  BUT, there are a BOATLOAD of other options out there, and given where you live you really need to get out there and hear more speakers.  I'll give you four examples right off the top of my head.  I've heard Joseph Audio, ProAc, Silverline, and Vandersteen speakers directly against B&W speakers and there is nothing -- and I mean NOTHING (at least to my ears) -- the B&Ws did better than any of them, and the others imaged and soundstaged so much better than the B&Ws it was silly.  My point is this, get out and hear more speakers.  You live in a great area to go hear stuff, so go do it -- even if you need to travel a few miles (I think Silverline is not far from you at all, and Alan Yun is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet in high-end audio)!  If you still think B&Ws are the ones for you, great.  But at least you have a good frame of reference for making that decision.

All that said, you're in a good place now to start seeing what better wires can bring to a system, so go for it.  Just dive in and buy used and you can experiment at very, very little cost or risk.  And by all means keep us posted on what you find, and enjoy the journey!  The more you try, the more you learn. 
@mayoradamwest My recommendation was specific to CALLING the Cable Co.

@ghosthouse
has given you the reason why.

They will not pressure you and you will learn through the conversation(s), even if you don’t go that route.

I agree with what he and @soix and others are saying in the details within their posts.

However, since you are ’new’ to cables and starting out The Cable Co makes the most sense. They have one of the widest selections available (though they don’t represent everything, and some brands they carry do not allow for representation in their Lending Library) and they make it easy to compare and contrast.

Will you spend more this way? Initially, YES but likely not once you factor in what I state below.

It is going to take time and energy and frustration and money (over time) to get it right. Synergy within and between components and system capability also factor in. Buying and returning has an upfront financial cost and hidden costs tied to time. We audiophiles are most expert at denying and ignoring the drips from the faucet. The drops add up fast.

I believe, in your case, it is far smarter to start with a ’decent’ baseline for yourself (within your current budget). AND THEN start with the trials (and tribulations) and experimenting.

All the best, whichever path you choose.
If you were an analog die-hard, it would mean a rotary dial phone.
Agree about The Cable Co. precisely because what works for one person in their system given their preferences may or may not be the "right" choice for you. As to "right" there are all kinds of reasons offered for why different cables sound different, but in the end, it’s pretty subjective and it’s your money. There’s an affliction that pervades most hobbies and pursuits, variously known as ’upgraditis,’ ’gear lust’ and the sincere desire to extract that last iota of performance from your particular combination of components.
I use fancy cable on my main system and beer budget stuff on my vintage system. I’ve also started trying some brands, like Analysis Plus, that offer very reasonably priced cable starting at less than boutique pricing.
SF area has some pretty serious hi-fi, or at least it used to; there must be some audiophiles there willing to invite you into their homes and let you listen to what they are doing-- all of it is a learning experience. One fellow who posts here periodically-- with a museum full of rare, top flight gear, eschews audiophile cable altogether--not because he is a cable ’denier’ (he acknowledges that different cables change the sound), but for that very reason, uses the basic, run of the mill stuff.
There is also a DIY camp that has momentum-- you can buy raw cable and roll your own. The main issue there is proper terminations. Easier perhaps with some analog wire than digital. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that you start making your own power cables, but there are plenty of folks that do.
A very famous manufacturer of the old school- Peter Walker- who developed the legendary Quad Loudspeaker- arguably the first full range commercial electrostatic speaker, was once asked what he considered to be important about cable. He said there were two essential criteria: did it conduct signal and was it long enough.
Between the extremes of argument and price, there is some cable that is right for you. Who was it that tried the beds in the bear’s house and found the one that was just right? That’s your mission. Have fun.