2. cables
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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

 

kennymacc
classicrockfan
168 posts
 

Haha you really like using this term "high current" 15A for power cables. FYI a standard 15-amp duplex receptacle outlet is the most common type of outlet used in residential homes. that's right 15A.

In cable industry we use this term "heavy duty", measured in gauge. a 12 awg (not amp) cable can be considered heavy duty.

So your budget limit is $1500 for each cable. Seriously you earned my respect.. money that matters...you seem to be a very rich person. My limit is $50 for a power cable,100 for a pair of interconnects, probably some more for speaker cables. I don't find any audible difference... perhaps because i'm not a music professor at Yale.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,189 posts
 

Once again, it’s all about the budget allocated to a given component or cable. If your budget is $50 for a power cord, don’t bother. Spend it on beer, cigars and bourbon. Stock power cord will do just fine. Same applies to the interconnects and speaker cables. If you don’t got the components with potential that can be realized with a $1500 power cord, spending that much is not wise. 
So @classicrockfan we see your point. But you fail to see ours. That is why it doesn’t make sense to you. Which is fine. Like I said earlier, use whatever you like and whatever sounds best to you

classicrockfan
168 posts
 

use whatever you like and whatever sounds best to you (as long as you can afford)

You made a good point and I agree. Right I don't spend more than 50 for a power cable. Don't get wrong... I do believe good cables make a difference BUT a price tag alone does not make a cable better. There's a night and day difference in sound quality between a $50 DAC and a $1500 DAC. what about between a $50 amazon power cable (beautiful and well built) and a $1500 super expensive cable? Nothing. Then again use whatever you like to please your soul it's your money.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,189 posts
 

 

 

classicrockfan

15 posts


…

Don’t get wrong... I do believe good cables make a difference

There’s a night and day difference in sound quality between a $50 DAC and a $1500 DAC. what about between a $50 amazon power cable (beautiful and well built) and a $1500 super expensive cable? Nothing.

@classicrockfan that doesn’t make sense

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,155 posts
 

Onhwy61 I believe Kennymac , from tornado to hurrican power cord it’s a big difference, If they match his system.I both have this power cord.I admire Him for upgrading . Soon  his listening skills will even improve if He keeps listening to his system. Congratulations OP .

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