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

Put down the snake oil and join the science team, where quantifiable facts matter. 

The only fact I see here is whoever would state this clearly doesn't have a clue about science. 

What's the matter, are you guys loosing members from your denial club? Are some former flat-earthers now actually thinking for themselves and listening to different components in their hi fi in order to improve the enjoyment of it, instead of obeying preachers who keep telling them everything sounds the same? 

Surprised that no one has even suggested using a McIntosh cable when you are using McIntosh equipment. I use a pair of cables from McIntosh to alleviate some perceived brightness between my preamp and amp. They are readily available on Crutchfield and carry a 60-day return policy, so there is no risk. Right in your wheelhouse at $600. 

Similarly, I use a Rega phono cable for my Rega P6. For me, if a mfg green lights a particular cable to use for their equipment, it makes sense to take advantage of it as there will be no surprises. You are simply engaging in the sound that the mfg has touted.

In addition, I purchased the McIntosh RCA's a few years ago and they are still priced the same. Ala their equipment, their cables also keep their value, which further reduces risk. 

@squared80 -

 "Put down the snake oil and join the science team, where quantifiable facts matter. "

         Yet another example of of willful ignorance, or- is it (actually) ignorance of the truth/facts/science, gleaned since the 1800's, regarding electricity?

                                         Worthy of only one, "tsk!"

         

Stay away from snake oil opinions and fall back on science and objective facts. Get cheap 12AWG OFC cables; nothing else you buy will sound better. In fact, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a $5k cable and a coat hanger.

It would be difficult to form a $5K Cable into a Coat Hanger, there's one difference.

It would also be a difficult subject and one that would get a lot of backlash, if one was informing on their intending on spending $5K on a Coat Hanger