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$20 XLR cables that sound good

I'll surely be ridiculed for this, but I'm achieving excellent results with lowly pro audio microphone cables called Planet Waves Custom Series. They easily bested my old single-ended cables and provide clear sound with no noise that I can discern. Their mechanical construction is first-rate, too. All for about $20 each.

If your system is on a budget, or if you simply want to try a low-buck XLR cable on a lark, give these a try.
nathanso
clio09
3,354 posts
 
I've had my share of cables in my system in all different price ranges. I do subscribe to the theory that there are differences in cables. However, I have come to the conclusion that while there are some excellent sounding high end (and high priced) cables, the cost/benefit ratio was out of whack. Spending 5 times the price to achieve a 10% improvement got old with me. So I scaled back on my cables and spent more on my components, One of the best things I did with the extra money was upgrade my speakers.

To top it off, it's not like the cables I'm using today are slouches. They are all very good IMO (and yes they all sound a bit different in my system) and I can live very happily with them:

Magnan Type Vi
Grover Huffman SC
Chimera Labs
Mogami Gold
Oyaide PA-02
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,476 posts
 
Jafox,

You are correct that I have a lot of respect for paper or the science behind our systems. This may be my problem (from your perspective) - no worries at least we know where we both stand. I just cannot see how a wire should make a significant or huge difference unless there is some unwanted or unintended interaction between the equipment at one or both ends. I just don't see why it should be necessary to spend thousands on a wire (my original post on this thread).
soundsbeyondspecs
132 posts
 
Some manufacturer's can assist you to match IC's. What cables did they find worked best during the R & D bench testing processes?

For example, most of us have read several articles explaining that Mark Levinson uses Revel Ultima speakers for bench testing components during R and D.

I'm very happy with a Proceed AVP2 +6, matching AMP 5 and Yamaha TX-1 powered cathedral monitors (connected directly off my pre-out signals). All sources sound right.

For system synergy, I'd place Ultima's on top of my list should I ever have to replace speakers.

Audiophile talk is like music and it goes on eternally. There's alot of great info here. Ask the manufacturer what they used and include them in your order for 2-3 different sets to test on your mains first after checking the return policy.





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