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

Townshend Audio F-1 Fractal cables are amongst the best. But you probably can't fix the Focal's bright tweeters except for using tube amps is my guess. 

You overlooked the best value of the bunch , the Wireworld Eclipse

they are not like everybody else , many for starters don’t all use Copper connectors  which is very important  for sonics as well as conductivity ,many use gold over bright sounding Brsss. WWorld use Silver over high grade copper. The wire 

is 6-9s pure Occ Copper in a straight Litz wire to avoid eddy currents ,

the comdilex dielectric is even better then Teflon and holds their patent.

the speaker cable can be ordered standard or biwire for it is very robust  awg 9 gauge , the interconnects similar geometric  and right in your budget .

I think what you pay for in a cable is to not hear it. 

To that end the Transparent product line is about as good as it gets. FWIW Wilson uses Transparent in their speakers. 

If you want warm and clear Cardas 

I know it’s not on your list but it’s tried and true

USA manufactured and great customer service 

At your price point they are all good it just depends on who you want 

to do business with

Good luck Willy-T

Some excellent cables mentioned above. If you want a unique cable design, try Paul Speltz anti-cables. His best cable, level 5.3 XLRs, are not inexpensive but don’t cost an arm and a leg either. Clarity, naturalness and dynamics are hallmarks of this design. I’ve owned Cardas Clear, Wireworld Gold Eclipse, and Nordost Tyr2 and the level 5.3 interconnects play in the same ballpark as these others. Paul does not advertise and relies upon word of mouth. Plus he has a fair return policy.