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"Budget" cable advice, please

Hi,

I'm piecing together the first refresh of my audio system in over 20 years! :-)

I've purchased a pair of Totem Arros and a Music Hall CD 25.2 CD player. I'll also be running a refurbished SOTA Sapphire and a PS Audio Elite Plus integrated amp. The only speaker cables I have right now are Monster Cable Powerline 2's that I used to bi-wire my old Vandersteen 2C's in the late 1980's.

I need best-bang-for-the-buck interconnect, power cord (for the CD) and speaker cable recommendations. I can't break the bank on cables, but want to get a marked improvement in the system.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!
rebbi
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
I can't break the bank on cables, but want to get a marked improvement in the system.

Monster cables are generally a high priced and higher build quality cable brand already. If you are looking for value then I'd stick with them - especially as you already paid for them. I don't think it would be wise to spend more.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
My experience with Monster cables is limited to the Interlink 400 II, which was fine for the $35 I paid.

I have a couple of Auricle Audio interconnects. These are auctioned here and can be picked up quite reasonably.

I also have a couple of Acoustic Zen El Nino power cords. I have heard other AZ varieties in different setups, and I would suggest this brand as a good place to start. Another make I like is Atlas; I'm very pleased with my Atlas Opus digital interconnect. Finally, I have a pair of Audioquest Type 4+ speaker cables in my second system and I think these are very good for the money I paid.
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karelfd
476 posts
 
Difficult to give absolute recommendations since there is always a lot of 2nd hand, demo and factory sell-out stuff on offer. Then again often not just quite what you were looking for, which is where sellers become interesting that grant you a trial period. In the budget segment at regular retail price, I have found Kimber (e.g. TC 4 All Clear speaker + Timbre IC) but also Siltech professional series (MXT London speaker + IC) to be rewarding. How much are you willing to spend and what lengths of cable would you need?
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