Worth upgrading my cables?
I’ve made a ton of updates to my system over the last six months and now I’m wondering if my cables need some attention. Here are my questions:
- Based on my system, and current caballing (description bellow), do you think I would recognize a noticeable improvement by updating my cables?
- If yes, which cables would you prioritize (speaker, interconnects, power)?
- Lastly do you have any specific recommendations.
Current system:
- Technics SL-1200G (Hana SL) --> Manley Chinook --> Manley Jumbo Shrimp --> Finale Audio Classic 300B monoblocks --> Klipsch Heresy IV
- All interconnects are Morrow Audio MA1
- Speaker cable Canare 4S11 Star Quad Bi Wire
- Power cables Tripp Lite Heavy Duty , 15A, 14AWG
Thanks for your thoughts!
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- 66 posts total
@clearthinker Shunyata Research’s website discusses each design aspect that resulted in the current line of power cables they offer. Here is an excerpt describing the noise reduction capabilities included in the NR cables: "CCI filters have the unique ability to reduce component-generated power line noise without inhibiting DTC (dynamic transient current delivery). This unique filter element prevents power line noise from one component contaminating the other adjacent electronic components. Shunyata Research’s CCI filter modules consist of proprietary multi-stage filters that reduce power supply-generated noise without the use of heavy transformers, coils or large capacitors." Elsewhere on the site they specify a NR capacity of >12dB per cable. I added one cable at a time as I was skeptical about the NR claims. Hearing details deeper into the soundstage and being able to discern minute errant sounds in live recordings especially, added a new realization of realism to the music that made the overall investment worth it to me. I have had them in the system for about 9 months and have never looked back. YMMV but my system and my ear/brain interface say Yes to Caelin Gabriel’s offerings. |
@jaymark I have posted many times concerning the immense superiority of GroverHuffman power cables for a reasonable price. My neighbor with a $350-500K system was an electrical engineer who had high end cabling EXCEPT for power cables which he believed (wrongly) that they don't matter. He had six Pangea power cables in his system. I just didn't want to hear his system. It had weird bass with notes going in and out of the frequency range like strings would be missing on a bass. Distant sounding and dry. I lent him a older GH Empress power cable for one amp. Instantly better sounding. He purchased six replacement GH Pharoahs and I can enjoy music at his home (he also substituted 6H6/6N6 tubes for 6H30s in this AR LS-28). He has a very nice sounding system now. |
I have long been a cable skeptic, but I’m now a believer. Like you, I had the Canare 4S11 Star Quad cables and felt they were a definite improvement over run-of the-mill basic speaker cable. But last year I tried the Nordost Ax Angel cable, which was on-sale at the time for 50% off, and the difference in sound quality between these two cables was vast. In comparison, the Star Quad was muddy, overly warm, colored, and offered much less detail. I didn’t realize how much detail and refinement I’d been missing until I made the switch. I purposefully try to avoid saying negative things about HiFi products I don’t like, and instead I prefer to highlight the positive experiences I have. In your case, I would highly recommend you try some different cables. I’m not recommending Nordost per se, and in fact, I’ve even considering an audition of some Kimber cables which might be even more neutral. But I sincerely believe you’ll reach a higher level of audio quality if you try some other options. Many companies have 30-day return policies if you don’t like a particular cable. Enjoy the journey! |
@wester17 I agree. GroverHuffman cables come with either a 30 or 60 day money back guarantee. He can't produce them fast enough, so his one return in years was immediately resold. His speaker cables are exquisite for the price and power cables are a necessity. |
- 66 posts total