2. cables
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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
kennyc
1,552 posts
 

discount high value cable manufacturers:

  • Albedo 
  • Darwin
  • Empirical Designs 
  • LAVRICABLES 
  • RSX
  • Silversmith Fidelium 
  • Vogue Audio
  • Zavino
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,800 posts
 

Tried many, best to buy used for value. I re-wired my system with AQ Water interconnects and they are very good, especially at the recent closeout pricing. Enjoying the Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval 9 bi-wire I recently got in.

slaw's avatar
slaw
21,800 posts
 

Had the Oval 9s reterminated at the factory. These sound great with my Merrill Audio "Veritas" monos.

kennyc
1,552 posts
 

+1 Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables - a sonic bargain. I’d also wait for the Silversmith interconnects whenever they are released - best bang for buck sonics also.

As I write this, I just realized that Silversmith SC and IC may be my ideal choice for my flea watt tube audio chain I’m building on a tight budget. 

 

v-fi
103 posts
 

Again with the cable arguments, how fun those are (nope).

I've had good luck with smaller brands. Stuff like Audioquest and Kimber are fine, they make a good product but you sure pay for it. Brands I've enjoyed that are smaller seem to offer more for the money. Audio Art is a really good one, Triode Wire Lab as well. Lately I've been trying out Veritas Cables and been highly impressed with their stuff. 

I would only buy from a brand or dealer that allows pain free returns. Cables are too system and listener dependent to get stuck on something that you don't love and can't return. 

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