Need Opinions for Different Cable Manufacturers/Cable Designs


I have a McIntosh 200wpc receiver [MAC7200] and Focal Sopra 3 speakers - and am using low-grade cables. I'm looking to vastly improve my system with a complete cable upgrade. I like a warm sound with lots of clarity and detail and naturalness. I have been reviewing tons of literature and am intrigued by Cu/Ag and Cu/Ag/Au combinations. I will probably buy used, and look at offerings in the midrange to lower high-end range of products. Cannot afford the best each manufacturer has to offer. Looking to spend up to $2,000 for 3m speaker cables and up to $700 each for RCA and XLR cables. Again, I hope to buy used.

 

I am interested in opinions on the following manufacturers:

AUDIENCE

DH LABS

PURIST AUDIO DESIGN

SILNOTE

SNAKE RIVER

Please feel free to offer your opinions on these and any other recommendations you may have. I really appreciate your time and advice!! Thanks!

kinarow1

Definitely add Acoustic Zen to your list.  If you bi-wire here’s a nice pair of their Satori cables at a great price and think they’ll do just what you’re looking for, and if they don’t work out you can easily resell them for maybe even a small profit.  I’d also highly recommend their Silver Reference interconnects that are very neutral/natural sounding and their Matrix Reference II that skew just a bit warmer.  The whole AZ line has a very natural/organic house sound that is cumulative the more cables you add.  Just another option, and best of luck.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650129691-acoustic-zen-satori-shotgun-bi-wire-8-spade-pair/

kinarow1

... I'm looking to vastly improve my system with a complete cable upgrade ...

I think cables can make a difference - even a big difference. But I would not expect a cable upgrade to "vastly improve my system."

I've played with a number of interconnects.  The DH Labs Air Matrix are nice.  I'm currently using some out-of-production silver interconnects that I bought used on eBay.  I tried other silver cables that I didn't love, but I like these.

The cables that I won't likely change are the Fidelium speaker cables by Silversmith Audio.  

I use some Purist, DH, and Snake cables. I would seriously consider Snake. Outstanding customer service where they will properly burn-in the cables for you. Slower way to get them but plenty worth the wait. I have their boomslang AES between CD transport and dac and it has a non fatiguing clarity and naturalness that easily beats DH imo.