Your "Budget Cable" recommendations, please......

Dan: Whatever you try, I would focus the search on cables with a reputation for deep bass response (as well as sounding nice throughout the rest of the spectrum of course:-). Even if they have full but "somewhat" loose bass they may still work fine with the Maggie's, which are very tight in this region. All of your equipment is considered to be neutral to light in the bass (depends on one's frame of reference) and I feel that this approach may give you better sound. Nothing wrong with the gear (the Forte should push the Maggie's nicely), just saying that this is the basic plan that I would follow in your case as synergy is everything. Unfortunately I do not have any recommendations in what seems to be your price range, but am certain that others will, who have tried more cables than I. Even if your gear has captive power cords, you might also look into upgrading these @ some point. Nothing expensive, but something that will not limit current (maybe the DIY power cords noted @ Audioasylum based on Mr. Crump's design). Subaguru (@ this site) has also made some DIY PC's (power cords) lately that he feels are nice. The power cords will also add to the bass in your system, from my experience.

Thanks Dekay. That's some of the most thoughtful and specific advice I've ever gotten.

So....Can any of you recommend a cable that provides nice solid, tight bass. Bear in mind that I'll be in need of interconnects and speaker cables.

Does the Nordost line meet this criteria?

Thanks again.

analysis plus

I agree with Dekay's comments completely. Owning several different Forte' amps, feeding them with a tubed dac and knowing what Maggies sound like and will do, i will take his comments one step further: I would NOT recommend using Nordost speaker cables for this system.

While sounding very fast, sharp and clean, the Nordost speaker cables do not have much in the way of body or warmth. What bass that they do pass along IS well controlled, but that is easy because there's not as much TO control. Since Maggies tend to be somewhat lean sounding and lack bass "weight" to begin with, i think that the Nordost's might give you "too much of a good thing". You would probably have phenomenal speed, detail and clarity with the Nordost's in the system, but it just wouldn't sound "musical". I can't comment on the Nordost interconnects, as i have never used any of them.

My suggestion for speaker cables in your specific system is to look for some Goertz MI-2's. You WILL need to run Zobel networks with your amp or it WILL oscillate. Do not let this put you off as there is nothing hard about hooking them up. The Goertz are notably fuller sounding than the Nordost's and present a "creamier", more "romantic" sound but are not quite as "focused" or "etched" sounding. The Goertz also seem to have slightly better "prat" in my opinion. That is, so long as the system is not bass heavy to start off with. I have no doubt in my mind that a "slow" or "muddy" sounding system would be better suited to the Nordost's.

As to interconnects, your biggest bang for the buck is going to be the DIY or "kit" approach. I know that you might not initially want to go this route, but i would HIGHLY encourage it. This will keep a GOB of money in your pocket and show you what good cables can do. Once you make the initial investment in a "reasonable" solder station and supplies, you'll be able to ( and want to ) put it to other uses. The power cords that Dekay mentions would be a candidate for "projects" that you can do to improve the system AND save money overall.

If it were my system and i was "cable skeptical", i would start off with the Homegrown Super Silver's that Scott mentioned. These would be used between the tubed CDP and your preamp. My experience is that the very detailed sound of silver highlights the very plush sound of tubes. I know that others have echoed similar thoughts both here and at AA, so i am not alone in those findings.

As to what to run between the preamp and amp, you might want to try building or buying some of Jon Risch's "SSTP" ( Solid Stranded Twisted Pair ) design. This cable is quite phenomenal when properly constructed and literally destroys FAR more expensive cables in direct comparisons. It is based on using the copper and teflon cores of Belden 89248 / 89259 coaxial cables. These sound very lucid and transparent when built using quality connectors and good solder. I would make up an extra pair of these so that you could compare them to the Super Silver's between the CDP and Pre just to see what you like best.

Here's a brief overview of how things came together in my mind: You would start off with the warm and smooth sound from the tubed AH Tjoeb CDP. All of the details would preserved and highlighted by the Super Silver interconnect to the Forte' 2 preamp. That signal would then be fed as neutrally as possible via JR's "SSTP" 89259 / 89248 interconnect to the Forte' 4 Class A power amp. The amp would load into the slightly warm and full bodied Goertz cables. Those in turn would tend to balance out the fast and airy yet somewhat lean sounding Maggie's.

The end result SHOULD be quite excellent and present a very well balanced package. My guess is that you might even call the end result "magic", especially given the cost of the system. This takes into account that you will have "fussed" with speaker placement to the Nth degree.

Keep in mind that this is simply my personal opinion, approach and suggestion for your specific system based on monetary considerations. All of the cables suggested are recommended on first hand experience in multiple yet quite varied systems. Obviously, everyone has different ideas, ears and personal preferences, so take everything ( including my suggestions ) with a grain of salt.

Last but not least, contact the Cable Company and see what they have to say. Tons of stuff available and very knowledgable. Sean
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I have had good results with Kimber 8TC and Tara Labs Space & Time TFA Return speaker cables with my Magnepan MG1-Improved speakers driven by a Classe CA-150 amp. They are relatively inexpensive to begin with, and can often be found here on the AudiogoN site used. The Tara Labs cable can still be ordered new from The Cable Company. Cardas Quadlink 5C interconnect cables might work well with your equipment. They generally are regarded as having a slightly warm presentation with good bass extension. They are moderately priced as well.