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Any speaker cable's sound quality just blown you away?

Among all of the tons of speaker cable out there, which model has stood out in your mind as the best that you have ever heard, and why? If you remember the audio system (especially the speakers) that you heard them with should prove to me most informative. What was the configuration (i.e. single run, shot-gun, bi-wire, or tri-wire), and the length? We know most are looking for a great cable at a little price, while we all dream of the ultimate cable in our audio system. And with so many companies out there making good stuff, it seems that more offen than not, the best sounding cable, though definitely not the cheapest, is not the most expensive either. What is your experience?
wenterprisesnw
audiopath
92 posts
 
One speaker cable is not going to be "magic" for all systems. Read Dick Olsher's Tip #22 "In persuit of the perfect conductor" at: http://www.blackdahlia.com/tipindex/tip_25/tip_25.html
While there always seems to be an inappropriate amount of controversy connected with speaker cable, interconnects, etc., there's still no substitute for trial and more trial. Just like a good woman, a good speaker cable is hard to find. And because it's so system dependent, once you find it don't change your amp or speakers, or you may need to change your speaker cables too.
vek
6 posts
 
To keep cost low and evaluate the difference in cable try building your own... it takes time and patience but done right (hard to screw up, but easy to fix if you do) you'll end up with a really nice pair of speaker cables and you'll learn along the way.

The recipe on this link set me up with nice sound for little money... http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/rjmaudio/spk.html

You can also check out...
http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/tweaks.html
caveat here is that the text is translated from Italian so sometimes the picture the writer paints may not make much sense, but he does go into more detail than the first site.
082288
53 posts
 
Three words..... First Impression Music
gregm
3,405 posts
 
N'st's Valhalla has performed exceptionally well with a number of different systems I have listened to, including mine (no, don't have it: way beyond my means). As to blowing me away... maybe I'm becoming a cynic in my old age -- but no cigar.

Otherwise, I'd subsrcibe to Vek's idea of DIY (ref, great discussion on OTA et alia a while back) -- or, "there is a cable for every set of ears and every system".

Cheers!
calloway
874 posts
 
the nordost 'valhalla' cables are superb. have had them in my system,biamped to my aloia 13.01 amps with piega p10 speakers for over a month now and they are,by far, the best i have had in my system.(that includes cardas,audio tekne)they are extremely fast,beautiful mids and highs and tight,taught bass.are they worth the cost? if you can afford them they are.
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