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Cables, Cables

I am sure this was asked many times before, but anyway here I go…
I've been using Home Depot 12 AWG copper wire, bi-wired. It sounded very good to my ear. After reading up some, I've decided to buy some really nice pre-made wire; after all I am always looking for some improvements. So, I bought Audioquest CV-4 not bi-wired. Brought it home, connected and the sound became flat and dull. Am I misunderstanding something here?
moganes
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,138 posts
 
Ozfly, good point. Something I forgot to mention is the jumpers quality.

Another thing Moganes, let the cables play for a while before you make up your mind. You may get used to this sound and not be able to go back to the HD wire.

Also, when you get better, more revealing cables, the flaws of your components show much easier.

P.S.
AQ cables in general have a bit of a dark character to their sound.
sonic_genius
528 posts
 
A few years back I was using black 18 gauge zip cord for my tweeters. It was quite good and bettered LAT, Kimber, and JPS mid-line cables.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Any difference is likely to be inaudible or just barely audible - the huge difference you describe sounds like a problem somewhere (crossed wire giving incorrect phase maybe?).
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I switched to Home Depot 14 ga outdoor extension cord (HD-14) after reading a glowing review in The Absolute Sound that pitted this stuff against 500-buck wires. It's still in my system 18 months later. Replaced Omega Mikro which replaced Mapleshade which replaced Kimber 8TC. Obviously YMMV, but don't be surprised at how good this cable is. I could almost guarantee that it's better sounding than the AQ CV-4. Dave
blblues68
68 posts
 
I have been using Home Depot 6awg mixed with some 22awg solid silver teflon coated wire. I have compared it with some other cables and can't justify spending the money. Just because it costs more means nothing. I am going to cryo treat them next, has anyone tried this with any HD wire or cheap cables?
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