2. cables
  3. 137534-112139

Looking For 90% of the performane of the super expensive cables for much less money

I currently have a system which consists of Vandersteen 5A's, THor Audio TP-150 tubed monoblocks, Thor Line Stage and Thor phono stage, Marantz SACD player SA-114 and will take delivery of the VPI Prime Scout with a Sumiko EVOS 3 Cartridge. I am currently using LAT International Speaker Cables, Power Cords and Interconnects. (They are no longer in business). I am in immediate  need of turntable cables and would like to update my new speaker cables and interconnects. Not willing to spend thousands on this upgrade. Seeking to capture as much of the "magic" that the super expensive cables deliver but at a more realistic price point. I understand that I have really good quality equipment, but at this stage of my life cannot allocate mega dollars towards cables.
 Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 
128x128kjl1065
letsmakeadeal
14 posts
 
I have I owned some very very expensive cables (some approaching 5 figures at retail). I now use DIY cables, mostly balanced, that are 99.9 to 100% of the mega dollar cables.

I used to drink the cable BS coolaid but no more. High Dollar cabling is nothing more than legalized stealing from those that have not yet realized the psychological trance they are under.

Go read the Positive Feedback articles that discuss Western Electric / Dueland speaker connections and DIY Belden mic cable for ICs. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
azbrd
102 posts
 
+1 for kahlenz

BJC Belden 5T00UP 10 AWG Speaker Cable will meet all the requirements we need & they have the best terminations available AND they are NOT expensive. Unfortunately, for some BJC has not discovered some of the voodo science (directional wire) called out on this thread so if you are a believer in that you will have to look elsewhere.

Save your $ and avoid the expensive audio bling and go with what you need, inexpensive wire that is built well.
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,173 posts
 
Azbrd agree+
jmpgfoto's avatar
jmpgfoto
2 posts
 
I was an audio/video senior tech for 35+ years dealing with transmission. We handled all the major movie, TV, radio & production studios and sound/video quality was major part of the work. As for achieving 90% of the quality of extremely expensive cables on the cheap, don't know if that is really possible BUT I will say, in my opinion a lot of the advertising for the exorbitantly expensive cable is just B.S., they are not worth the prices being charged but I will also say that they are some less expensive cables (still very expensive) that are just as good. Consider that human hearing is not able to hear many things so why would you pay huge amounts for something you cannot hear? Also, as others have said, your best bet is buy high quality used cables which is what I have done in the past year or so at about 50% of their original cost. Once place I've dealt with a number of times is The Music Room, http://tmraudio.com/ , in Broomfield, Colorado. Their inventory of components & cables constantly changes and sometimes they have very good deals on speaker, power, and interconnect cables. Everything tested and guaranteed. They also buy & consign.
analogluvr
859 posts
 
+1 for letsmakeadeal and asbrd.   Nice to see some reality-based posts on a cable thread   
More to discover