Most of us are looking to optimize our systems and many end up looking to cables as a way to accomplish this. They matter. But it is an imprecise endeavor with few guideposts. The upgrades can be expensive but there may be gold at the end of the rainbow.
Upgraded my cables and they transformed my system!!!
My old cables were, and my new cables are a mix of three or four different brands of cables that synergized beautifully together to produce an outstanding sound in my system. Recently, I felt that there was room for improvement in my audio system’s cabling, so I decided it was time to upgrade. I’m still in love with my old superb speaker cables (Revel Salon 2 speakers), (JPS Labs Superconductor 3 speaker cables), and my incredible ethernet cables (Shunyata Sigma), so I felt no need to replace them. Here’s a list of the upgrades that I made:
Ayre Acoustc QX-5 Twenty DAC: Old cable= ATC, 2M, power cable (excellent for digital exclusively). Replaced with= JPS Labs Aluminata 1.5M power cable (transformational).
Hegel H590 Integrated Amp: Old cable= Audioquest Tornado power cable, High Current, 15A, 1 meter. Replaced with= Audioquest Hurricane, High Current, 1M, 15A
Audioquest Niagara 3000 Power Conditioner: Old cable= Audioquest Thunder power cable, High Current, 15A, 2M. Replaced with= Audioquest Hurricane, High Current, 15A, 2M.
Interconnects: Old cable= Audioquest Earth, 1M, XLR. Replaced with= Audioquest Pegasus, 1M, XLR (transformational).
Note: My budget limit was $1500 or less for each cable (new or used), which I achieved.
I'm not one of our more well-heeled audiophiles, and the $1500 or below (new or used) for each cable was the absolute limit to my financial capabilities for my new cables. However, at the $1500 or below price point for a new or used power cord or pair of interconnects, you can purchase a level of quality which, IMHO, is so incredibly high with such a high level of proficiency, one would have to question the necessity to spend more.
With the new cables in place, the sound quality of my system, which sounded simply outstanding before the upgrades, has been improved dramatically by leaps and bounds, and my new interconnects are not even close to being fully broken-in yet!!! Of course, I expected this kind of improvement in sound quality once the new cables were installed, and the improvement will continue to get better and better over time as the interconnects continue to further burn-in. Now, I should be good to go for the foreseeable future.
For those of you who still persist in believing that non-stock, upgraded, aftermarket cabling is "Snake-oil"...............you have no idea.
Happy listening
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- 67 posts total
@kennymacc congratulations on the better sound. Trying the hurricane is on my short list. 😎 |
I guess then I should be looking to upgrade my 1970s interconnects that came with my Sony tape desks!. @cundare2 - I am with you on this. If you like the way your system sounds, then that is the simple answer. So if you system, which sounded simply outstanding before the upgrades, am I to question your hearing? LOL For others who believe that you have been in the hobby for a long time, I am not exactly sure what that actually means? You can hear and know what different transformers can do to the sound? You have learned what for example? Just sayin' also. Has anyone heard heard a 101D DHT designed product? If not, then your years of experience is really limited IMO. Have you heard products with thirty pound power supplies? Do you know how cables are made and why they sound different from the design and materials? Speaker placement knowledge? How to lower the noise in a system without a power conditioner? Again, I don't want to spoil the fun or say anything to upset anyone, but IMO you really need to dig a little deeper. @kennymacc - congrats = all that matters is that you love the way you system sounds. Enjoy the music! Happy Listening.
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I’m definitely not an expert but most audiophiles may agree, the quality of your cables should match your system. In chocaholic’s case, the Rocket 88 speaker cables paired with the Revels and lower cost interconnects may match his system and sound amazing to his ears. His system is comprised of a BS node, Revel speakers etc. In his case, it wouldn’t make sense to drop 2K on speaker cables or purchase an expensive interconnect for a BS node. |
@cundare2 confirmation bias The list goes on and on. I fail to understand why or how so many strangers to the OP can reign down such negative comments when they have no experience with the writer’s judgment. The comments are never “in my opinion” or “I think, feel that etc.”. It is always stated as absolute fact and, sometimes stated or implied, if you disagree for any reason you are a moron, tone deaf, or just plain stupid. BTW, I have gone the interconnect and power cable route. All were chosen after a lot of research. None have been over $500. Truthfully, I heard noticeable and positive results for every upgrade. IMHO |
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