Comments on interconnect cables

You make valid points, but you have to expect this type of thing when you ask about cables. Not only do different people like different cables, you also have to figure what one's motivations are for making the recommendation. You would think its just about sound quality, but that's not always the case. You also need to be able to factor in someones belief system when they recommend cables. For example, some people feel that cables make little to no difference in SQ, so they'll recommend an inexpensive, well made, basic cable, and tell you that its as good as anything on the market. While they may believe this, others may feel different, and have actual experiences that would be different. Some shoot for price points, while others go after a certain design or materials used. The important thing to keep in mind, is that much of this may not be apparent when they give you a recommendation. Though in order for the recommendation to have value, you really need to know the full logic behind ones choice, and not simply the choice itself.

So now, at this point, you're probably thinking this is hopeless. But there is one way you could do this, and that's my way. My way is the best way. lol. I by my cables from a place called The Cable Company. (www.fatwyre.com) What makes this place so good is that they have demo units of all the cables they sell. And their inventory is huge. They're the largest cable dealer in the world. They will most likely have a demo unit of every cable mentioned in this discussion, to send you all at once, so that you can try them all and make the best decision. $900 is a lot of money for a piece of cable. Might as well get the right one.

Zd542: Thanks for the suggestion. I contacted The Cable Company and am waiting for them to respond.

http://www.chimeralabs.com/chimera_labs_audio_cables_audio_interconnects_speaker_cables.html

Hgeifman,
In the hopes that you haven't bought your ICs yet, do yourself a solid and try out the Darwin Ascension Plus that they have on sale now for $595 ($200 off). I just got mine and I'm keeping them.

I already have the standard Darwin silver ICs and these Ascensions are a big step up in performance. I don't think you need to go all the way to the Truth to get what you desire in an IC. They are so much more coherent, cleaner and musical that they will satisfy the pickiest of tastes.

Lots of claims are made but only you can decide and they have a 30 day return guarantee so you can't go wrong. You will end up keeping these, I promise. :-)

All the best,
Nonoise

Since everyone is providing advice and recommendations, I might as well chime in. I have read about the Tempo Electric cables for years and have slowly switched a few of my Neotech IC's over to the Tempo Electric from the amp to the preamp. The difference between the solid core Neotech and Tempo Electric IC's were not drastic as one reason I selected this particular Neotech previously was due to its very low capacitance. When played against other cables such as HMS, Nordost, and Audience, the Neotech had that sense of "aura" with articulated impression on the brass and cymbals, and excellent bass and upper frequency characteristics. Step into the Tempo Electric...pure silver, aka solid core, with silver WBT's. Though the measured capacitance of the silver Tempo Electric IC may slightly be higher than the very low capacitance of the Neotech, this is probably offset by the very low capacitance of the silver WBT's that come with the Tempo Electric, making the overall capacitance about the same. Anyway, the sound difference was more in the depth of how the individual instruments and vocals are presented. I was previously focused on Nordost and other pricey cables for their electrical characteristics concerning capacitance, especially if you run longer IC' like I do from my preamp to amps, about 5 meters (15 feet). For shorter lengths, capacitance may not be a big deal, buy worry about resistance issues anywhere in your system when you can get cables that are relatively low in capacitance, either short or long lengths. I am highly recommending the Tempo Electric cables due to their equipping the cables with silver WBT's. I would check them out while you do research..they offer balanced and Furutech carbon XLR options.
http://www.tempoelectric.com/cables.htm
No business relationship with either Neotech or Tempo Electric, just a highly satisfied audio enthusiast.
As stated here, many ideas and more expensive is not necessarily better.
Good luck