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

@kinarow1 I have a MAC amp and a pair of Revel speakers in a two-channel system.  I usually avoid proffering opinions on speaker cables and connectors in general because this is the best way to start a fight in an empty bar.  If by "looking to vastly improve my system" (emphasis on "vastly") you mean VASTLY improve the sound, you are not going to accomplish this with expensive speaker cables, unless you're using lamp cord now, have poor contact connection points, etc.  Using good quality, well-made speaker cables constructed with at least 12-gauge or thicker premium copper conductors in your system is about as good as it gets.  If this is not what you are already using, you should be able to find something like this from a number of reputable manufacturers, without spending an arm & a leg or sacrificing your first born (e.g.  AudioQuest; Monoprice; Kimber Kable; Chord Company; etc.).  If you live close enough to a or a number of high-end audio shops, they often have various brands of speaker cables that they will allow you to audition at home.

You won't make any difference, much less a "vast" difference just by using even the most expensive cables ( which is how almost everything is judged, by price). Expectation bias is real.

Buy anything that is OCC single crystal, out of that whole list Audience is the only one, there are other good companies like harmonic technology and acoustic zen that aren't overly expensive, OCC single crystal has been shown over 50 years know to be far superior to anything OFC on the market at any price.

+1 on Cardas

Morrow Audio

Focals (I’ve heard a few types, dug them) are fast/bright and kick butt. Treat room????

 

 

I, also would add Shunyata to the list.Try to audition first,at different price points.