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XLR cable recommendations needed

Hi,

I would like to purchase 2 pairs of xlr interconnects but would like them to be silver plated occ copper with good connectors.  Budget is $200-$500 per pair but would like to stay on the lower end.  They must be silver plated occ copper and from a reputable manufacturer.  They will be used from source to preamp and preamp to amp in a hybrid 2 channel and surround sound system which share main front speakers.

I was using some older low cost ZY silver plated xlr cables that were an Amazon special about 10 years ago and they sounded okay and were built decent but Im looking to upgrade.  I recently made a mistake of buying an ofc copper only cables without silver plating and although the build quality is very good, they arent doing it for me.  Low and mids are good on these cables but the high end is extremely lacking.  I will break them in some and keep them for other applications but know I will need to upgrade to something better.  

Please provide me some recommendations on good sounding cables that are silver plated occ copper with good connectors.  Thanks in advance. 

audioman2015
jimmyblues1959
172 posts
 

I use the following XLR cables for connecting a Schiit Modius to a Schiit Lokius tone control to a Schiit Jotunheim and they work quite well. For what it’s worth, I have owned fancier silver audio cables and could never hear a difference. Of course this is all subjective.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-Microphone-Feet/dp/B00KO8VYMG/ref=asc_df_B00KO8VYMG?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80676757987991&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=t&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276305189721&psc=1

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

@audioman2015

I understand your logic. Cheap silver cables “OK”, but new more expensive cables without silver lack in the higher frequencies therefore I need silver.. and if cable is also “better” my system should sound more “OK”.

Others here are more knowledgeable than myself, but I believe that most top manufactures design their cables to be neutral and quiet. To quote one of the more experienced members here:

Your system is an active variable in what sounds best.

Which is why I suggested that you post your system. I just have a bit of a nagging question as to what about your system makes you think that you need silver? Will you be using silver for your speaker cables? There is a major gap between a system sounding OK and sounding really great and I wonder if silver in the interconnect can do that.  I’m not suggesting that better cables are a bad move.  You want a cable that when you upgrade your other components, the cable doesn’t “filter” what is heard.

zlone
807 posts
 

Zavfino offers a blended silver and OCC copper cable:

https://zavfinousa.com/products/the-fusion-solid-pure-silver-occ-copper-hybrid-rca?variant=19443396116598
 

haven’t tried them, but might be worth a look. 

willywonka
303 posts
 

I also highly recommend the Zavfino Fusion cables. They are in your price range and are very popular with Audiogon members. Do a search and you will find a long thread about them. I have 3-4 pairs myself.

audioman2015 OP
103 posts
 

Thanks for everyone’s input. Ive settled on trying some pure occ silver cables. These will be my first all silver cables so it will be a learning experience.

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