Reasonable high end interconnects: without breaking the bank

I demoed a number of cables from The Cable Company Library.  I would strongly suggest doing this.  I ended up with the Cardas Clear Reflection but tried out 5 other cables ranging in price from about $1000 to $3000.  I was surprised at the result because the Cardas wasn't even a consideration initially but was suggested by the sales rep I was talking to.  In the end there are differences and you probably have some preferences to what is important to you in listening.  For me the Cardas was the best mix of everything I liked but cables are system dependent so there is obviously not one good answer.   Also, I would definitely suggest going XLR if you have that option with your equipment.  As to $15 cables vs. $1500 cables, it depends on you and your system.  Some systems can resolve better then others.  Some people can tell the difference between a Steinway and a Burgdorfer piano on a recording, some can't or don't care.  What I have found in a good high end system set up correctly is a difference in the things that are more nuanced than just bass, loudness and clarity, things like sound stage, timbre, tonal balance-for me the $15 cables just don't do it.  In the end, what I enjoy is that on a good recording, my listening room really does disappear and becomes a different sonic space and vocals and instruments are palpable.  

Black Cat Audio.
Can’t go wrong 

There are a lot of great suggestions here. The Cable Co. Library is a good resource as well. One suggestion I will make that I have not seen mentioned is THALES. Designed by Swiss watchmakers who meticulously craft the this cable to be the ultimate connector. 

Although they are probably more expensive than you originally expected to spend, these cables will out perform cables that cost 3 to 4x their MRSP price.  

These cables essentially disappear into the sound system. They accurately reveal a rich, musical, transparent, enormously detailed sound stage that is all together silent.

They could very well be the last Cables you ever invest in.

http://www.tonarm.ch/en/products/accessoires

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649309042-thales-precision-interconnect-cables-rca-to-rca-15-meter/

If name dropping helps - IMHO preferred them over these companies in descending order -
$$$$    Stage 3 Concepts
$$$$    Transparent
$$$      Analysis Plus
$$$$    Synergistic Research
$$$$    Nordost
$$$      Kimber
$$$$    MIT
$$        Audioquest

Good Luck
 

 

 

For ultimate flexibility in choices (i.e., custom-made), try Douglasconnection.com .  Doug has various grades of raw cable to choose from, including Canare, Mogami, Furez, Furutech.  Same with connectors, including ETI, Vampire Wire, Furutech, etc.  Of course you can choose your own custom length.  There is detailed information about each product on his website, so you really know what you're getting.

I went the DIY route with his products, to save a few dollars, and because I like to tinker.  You can give Doug your budget and your specs, and he will come back with various options/combinations for you to select from.  I've done RCA and XLR interconnects from him, as well as power cables.  He also has digital coax and speaker cables.  Doug is a great guy to work with, and you really can't go wrong with any of his product offerings.

Darwin cables did it for me. Haven't given a thought about cables since I changed over to them
Yes, check their deals on their website. Highly recommended