How Big of a Difference?


Hello all,

I have near completed upgrading my system, but have left my speaker wire the same. My system is as follows- Laptop (Tidal) > Schiit Gumby Multibit > Freya S > Vidar monoblocks > speakers. My usb cable is Supra usb, and I am using xlr connections with amazon basics cables. If I am not mistaken, xlr is already super good at being noise resistance so I shouldn't need to spend more $ on fancy cables at my current level of audio equipment. My speaker wire is traditional 12 gauge wire I spliced from the spool. Nothing fancy. The reason I feel I shouldn't spend money on better speaker wire is because I traded the Supra usb for a super cheap usb and could not hear a difference. On top of that, I used to use single-ended connections using Chord C-line cables, and I could not tell the difference between those and cheap ones. What is everyone else's consensus? Can you guys hear a difference in your system? Thanks for the help.

oedstrom11

I know this if you you don’t try different cables you won’t hear a difference. Getting your cables routed and off the floor with copper cabling and copper terminal ends will improve the SQ and lower the floor noise. First things first.

I know what I like. I know what I don’t like. It doesn’t cost a lot. BUT you have to try stuff. NOT spend money, try stuff first. Routing and off the floor first though.. Cable Art...

Regards

I can hear the difference just having speaker cables on the floor vs elevators. So does everyone else. So there is a difference. We have not however determined whether or not you can hear it.

...Your kit may not be resolving enough to highlight the difference ...

I'm thinking this.

@oedstrom11 - your Schiit components are much better than most people realize - they just need very good cables!

The Amazon XLR are fine for now - so stick with them

I would start with speaker cables and then power cables

Take a look at Zavfino cables

  • Try the NOVA OCC SPEAKER CABLE 12AWG - they should work very well
  • the power cables start around $150 per cable
  • if possible get the FINA OCC POWER CABLE 14AWG from $215
  • or the LEGION OFHC 11AWG POWER CABLE from $288

Unfortunately this is the tip of the "cable iceberg", but for a "modest" investment the sound of your system will improve considerably.

Once you complete that upgrade you can try their ARCADIA OCC INTERCONNECT CABLE - granted it is single ended, but it will be a nice upgrade from the Amazon XLR cables

The Zavfino product range is one that stands out above the rest of the commercial brands just because of the wires//insulation/cable geometry they use - their cables are an advanced design and they are extremely well built - PLUS - they actually perform extremely well.

They are also very well suited to your audio components.

They also have some very good higher end products that really excel - when you feel the need to upgrade

There are better cables out there, but they are much more expensive and better suited to higher end components

I realize you may have reservations about cables, but I’ve been building cables for around 15 years and in that time I have installed cables on

  • small mini systems costing around $350,
  • bluetooth speakers
  • my own modest 2 channel system system
  • and systems up to $60,000
  • each time - cables have provided the best bang for the buck upgrades I have ever implemented

e.g. The cables I had on my Bifrost cost more than double the price of the Bifrost, but it sounded excellent !

So try the Zavfino speaker cables above and then perhaps a power cable - I think you will be able to hear the difference

BTW - cables can get very complex and very expensive, but there are more affordable DIY alternatives out there and there are people that will build them for you

So If you have any questions just ask

Hope that helps - Steve