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Best interconnects from preamp to amps, within budget

Hi folks. This is my second post to these forums. I’m setting up my equipment again for the first time in decades. A lot has changed since then.

The first thing I did was get new surrounds on my JBL L100t woofers. Then I took one component at a time to the shop for complete inspection, repair and tweaking.

For setup, I bought a bunch of Audioquest Tower interconnects. It was the best I could come up with based upon my little bit of research and budget. I immediately noticed an audible improvement over the 30+ year old generic "patch cords" my equipment came with.

When I hooked up my preamp to the amps (bridged) I discovered I didn’t have any new interconnects that would reach that far. For now I’m using some that are at least a few years old and generic. So, what SHOULD I be using for the preamp/amps connection? I do have to stay within a modest budget, the equipment restoration isn’t cheap. If nobody laughs too hard, I could spend as much as $100-$200 for this connection. They need to be at least 8 feet long, assuming they each need to be the same length.

I have recently read that proper interconnect selection can vary widely depending on the equipment that one uses. For the record, my current system is as follows:

2 Harmon Kardon Citation 22 amplifiers, bridged together

Harman Kardon Citation 25 preamplifier

Harman Kardon Citation 23 tuner

Harman Kardon HD7600 CD player

Harman Kardon HD7400 CD player ( so the same remote doesn’t control 2 CD players)

Harman Kardon EQ8 equlaizer (Not currently in-line, to be used for goofing around with bootlegs etc)

2 Sony TC-K620 cassette decks ( need to be shopped yet )

JBL L100t speakers, until new surrounds are broken in

JBL L100t3 speakers after others are broken in

Thanks for any help with this. As always, it’s appreciated!

Todd K Stearns

128x128toddsyr
toddsyr's avatar
toddsyr OP
129 posts
 

I really appreciate all the input here folks. Not just the specific brands mentioned, but also the guidance in general.

I ordered a set of 12' Mogami Gold interconnects. The name was mentioned the most and I really like what I read about them. The 6' cables would have been too short. I just hope 12' isn't too long and I lose signal strength. If that's even possible. Again, most of this is new to me.

I am always willing to listen and learn from those who know about these things.  I will get a couple more different brands to see their differences. Probably Blue Jeans and Audioquest.

Todd K Stearns

 

The Most Interesting Man In The World - I DON'T ALWAYS LISTEN TO LED ZEPPELIN BUT WHEN I DO, SO DO THE NEIGHBORS

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

I ordered a set of 12’ Mogami Gold interconnects. The name was mentioned the most and I really like what I read about them. The 6’ cables would have been too short. I just hope 12’ isn’t too long and I lose signal strength. If that’s even possible. Again, most of this is new to me.

You will not loose signal strength, so don’t even worry about that.
There is no current looking into a high impedance input, and no power without current and no signal loss without current.
(but you could measure it if you wanted to.)

If you later get stressed about length, then just mark them… and have a local electronics person cut one end and make them shorter.

I usually put ends on the (150’) cable, lay them out, and cut them… then do the other end. That 150’ is now about 60’, but your 12’ cables will be similar in concept.
They may end up being 8’ or 10’ or some other goldilocks length.

And sometimes that 2’ remainder comes in handy elsewhere.

 

I am always willing to listen and learn from those who know about these things.  I will get a couple more different brands to see their differences. Probably Blue Jeans and Audioquest.

Ideally you do that later when you can A/B against your Magomi ones.
Also the AQ cables, should be “more different” than the BJ cables.

ghdprentice
7,038 posts
 

OP, sounds like a good choice. I will be honest, Blue Jeans to me were no better than the ones that came with budget equipment. I would enjoy your new cables and your system. Then, if you choose, think about upgrading your components… if you want to. I would not spend a lot of time comparing interconnects and cables at this level of components and interconnects… unless, of course you really enjoy it… which is completely appropriate. If you like learning about nuances in interconnects and cables… great. If you are interested in achieving the best sound you can achieve. Then look towards upgrading your components. 

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