2. cables
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What process do you use to purchase cables?

I’m in the process of updating my gear and thinking about what to do for updated cables. Every time I think about it, my head spins as there are so many different cable options & companies. I struggle to even start the process.

I don’t care if it’s speaker cables, interconnects or power cords – Just explain what you typically do to nail down your purchase.

FYI – my past “process” was to simply purchase whatever I found to be the most affordable options recommended by folks on this board. For that reason, I’m currently using Canare 4S11 speaker cables, Mogami Gold interconnects, and Pangea power cords.

Since I’m planning to push my component updates to significantly higher quality gear, I don’t want to fall short on the cable side. If you have a process, let’s hear it! Thanks


dfairc777a
alfa100's avatar
alfa100
221 posts
 
My dealer has excellent brands that synergise well. Find a good dealer ; someone that know his products well  and what combinations work best. 
kennyc
1,554 posts
 
My dealer has excellent brands that synergise well. Find a good dealer ; 
How does one find a good dealer that puts one’s interest over making a sale?  During my initial foray into high-end audio, a dealer’s salesman pushed me to nail down a $number for my system budget, then tried to sell me a system that sounded meh.  
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 
😂😂😂😂😂. Me too!

I use Paypal
ghdprentice
7,139 posts
 
I think some dealers try and do a pretty good job of being relatively unbiased. You have to know them.  But there are practically an infinite number of cable companies and they can only carry a few. Then there is the problem of territories. On good solid well established brands like Transparent they do not support multiple retail outlets in a single area. My primary audio dealer can’t get them… so I have to buy them from a different vendor.  
geof3
1,129 posts
 
I love this quote from Nelson Pass, “We have a general recommendation about interconnects, and speaker cables: They should cost less than the amplifier, and contain at least some conductive material.”

I think first, is establish a budget. Then experiment. It is one of the fun aspects of this game. The choices are truly limitless. Reviews certainly help to guide you, but in reality you have to hear the cables in your room, your system, and as a whole. At some point decide when your sound is “good to go”. You’ll know. There are tried and true brands and cables from those brands, then there are the fringe brands and then DIY. All can be great in the right situation.
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