I'd like to upgrade my speaker wire


I am fairly new here and still learning.  I have a Yamaha R803 receiver and Vandersteen model 1s.  I'm happy with them for now but I'd like to upgrade my speaker wire. I presently have 14 gauge wire I bought years ago at Best Buy. I need 40 feet.  I've read great reviews about Back Cat but I think 40 feet may be a little pricey for me. I'd greatly appreciate any advice on a good quality wire at a reasonable cost. Maybe under $500?   BTW,  I bought Jim Smith's book as recommended here, great advice, thanks.   Doug
128x128dwhess
Post removed 
I agree with @Whoopycat, the Duelund 16GA wire is a great step-up from just about any standard multi-strand wires on the market. You can buy the wire and twist it yourself for the runs you need.  If you need more power then the Duelund 12GA is also very good but more costly. 

Luna Cables also use tin-plated wire (maybe they even use the Duelund inside), but they produce finished speaker cables, and don't just supply the wire - which is what I interpreted the OP's request as.
I use 18-8 thermostat wire, $85 for 250 feet, you'd need 160 feet.  Solid copper, 8x18 insulated wires per "conductor" = 9 gauge, use the whole cable for each terminal.  It's easy to strip and terminate if you need to terminate it.  If your connections on the speaker and amp can accommodate the size of the twisted together wire so much the better.  If you need to terminate you can get gold plated copper spade lugs on eBay pretty cheaply.  The cables are a bit unwieldy, but they're tamable.  I use 3/8 inch split mesh around the pairs with heat shrink at the ends for a nicer appearance. 

I can hear the naysayers already, but if you haven't tried it...  Some friends of mine have and have made the switch.