Entry Level Cables


Hello!

I'm currently in the process of upgrading my system a little bit at a time. Right now I'm using a Onkyo SR606 with some basic terrible speakers. I added the Onkyo for xmas and now I'm ready to upgrade my mains. I don't have much of a budget, so right now I've been looking at Paradigm's Titans or possibly a good deal on Paradigm's Reference Studio 20. Assuming I purchase the 20, what would be a good, entry level cable to run?

I've heard that I can't go wrong with Kimber's 8TCs, but they are just a bit beyond my currently target range of $100-$200 total to wire both speakers. Since I'm new, I most certainly don't want to make any terrible mistakes and skimp on the cabling and make my speakers essentially worthless. On the other hand, $400-$500 for cables is just too much for me right now.

Thanks for the input!
smwatson
It's down to personal preferences.

I might help to understand that for most people (especially the gearheads) this hobby is a journey - you start somewhere and go from there as your tastes, listening skills and budget evolve (not necessarily in that order but you get the idea)

Little known fact but a very few manufacturers make most of the wire used by the entire industry. It's an expensive undertaking. Some companies have custom runs done with their own "formulation" but there are minimum orders...

Companies buy from them, then add various combinations of insulation (teflon, cotton, PTFE) cosmetics (techflex and shrinkwrap in fancy colors) and nice connectors...For instance single pair of RCA males can cost from about $2 to $400.

There are a lot of people who think that a bare wire is the best possible amp to speaker connection - all you have to be able to do is strip insulation...

There is also a very strong DIY tradition in a portion of the community. Lots of info and what are called "recipes" around. Go to Audioasylum dot come and vhaudio dot com

In all fairness the anti-cables are a legitimate design alternative - I have never heard them but they have stood the test of a few years on this board which is generally flavor of the month oriented

And you can't get hurt with 30 or 60 day moneyback guarantees - worth it to learn to hear the differences - its kind of backwards but the less difference you hear, the less you have to worry about it. There are a ton of factors that determine your sound in your room - cable is nowhere near the top of the list.

So start with one or the other, or roll your own. markertek and partsexpress are both good resources, there are many others.
Don't sweat it.You could have system multiples better and while I think Kimber makes excellent product for buck go for cheapies (even home dept 16 gauge extension cords would do) and them get Kimber latter.Heard anti is good and have bought Blue Jean before and they work fine.Put more into the cake,then the frosting and make the cables the sprinkles.Go for short speaker cable lengths and first spring for source to reciver cables and then splurge on speaker wires.
Chazz
For about $250 you can buy used Acoustic Zen Satori. This is one of the better cables - even better bang for the buck than Analysis Plus Oval 9
As for a good description of speaker cable quality/characteristics, go to the Blue Jeans Cable web site.

In addition to Anti Cable and Blue Jeans, you might take a look at Signal Cable and the Audio Quest T4 "No Frills" which Audio Advisor is selling for $100 per 8' pair.
The neat thing about any hobby is this.... When it comes to descerning quality.. you're the judge and jury.

or you should be.

If what you mean is which measuring stick should be used, that's another subject. many go with the attempt to emulate live music. Some shoot for imaging and ambient retreval. some like it wet, big andd fat... Many choose sheer neutraility across the board.

Reality, or the illusion of it with the addition of platable ease and flow are my preffs. If there's to be a compromise with regard to neautraility, I'll lean towards warmth... albeit not by a lot.

I don't think there truly is a Holy Grail in any facet of this hobby... as to cables, preamps,sources, etc.

Some good road signs that one is headed in the right direction IMO, are

A broad smile on your face when the music is playing

Knees bobing up and down

Toes tapping

turning it off is not a predominant thought

Goose bumps

Jaw on floor

Numerous bruises from repeated pinchings, stemming from
constant disbelief.

Anxious desire to hear more of the collection

Continued yawning throughout the day from lack of sleep due to extensive listening sessions.

Results will vary of course.

The real trick... the key to all this IMO, is being happy with what you have, rather than looking towards that next addition to your system as being the magic pill that will supply it to you.

Look at the virtual systems posted here, and the threads pertinent to the pieces within them. get out to dealers and audition some things. Attend live shows. Pay attention to properly matchintg components, with regard to one another.

you'll be fine i'm sure... mostly though... enjoy listening to the music.