Interconnects at modest cost?
I'm interested in getting low to moderate price RCA interconnects for use between the CD player and integrated amplifier in my mid-fi system, and could use some advice. I've been considering used AQ Ruby, new AQ Copperhead or AQ Diamondback, Kimber PBJ, or possibly AQ Coral or Kimber Hero. My system includes a Cambridge Audio D500 CD player running through an NAD C340 integrated amplifier and old Dynaco A-25 speakers. I listen mostly to small-group jazz (lots of Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, John Pizzarelli), usually at moderate volumes, along with occasional classical, folk, blues and rock. Don't waste time running down the system, even though most of you doubtless have much better ones. I play guitar, including some occasional low-key performances, have a number of CDs, cassettes, LPs and music videocassettes, can hear differences in sound quality between different levels of equipment, and appreciate good gear, but my current priorities include a son attending a very good (and expensive) college, and another in high school. I got the D500 used not long ago (replacing a 10 year old JVC), along with a medical-grade Belden power cord, and it sounds good enough to justify something better than the minimal Radio Shack style wires currently connecting it to the amp. I have been browsing prior postings on interconnects by members such as Googy, Abstract7, Lolo, Trelja, Dtwomey, Sugarbrie, Treyhoss, Sdcampbell, Marchman and others. People had a lot of different things to say. The sense I got was that the Ruby was good when made but might be outdated now; the Copperhead was entry-level, and perhaps overpriced; the Diamondbacks might be too bright (Marchman didn't like them much), and the PBJs were good but had a forward presence. The AQ Corals or the Kimber Heros, while better cables, could probably be ruled out on gounds of price, as they would each cost more than a third of what I paid for the D500 -- if I'd had that much to spend, I would probably have bought a new D500SE. So which one of these cables would you get for this system? I'm looking for comments on the cables, now, rather than helpful suggestions to replace my speakers. I recognize that the A-25s were made back around the time when the golden spike was driven to complete the transcontinental railroad, and that something like B&W 602s might represent an audible improvement. I bought the A-25s when they were new, though, along with the old Dyna SCA-80 amp in the bedroom. I like their neutral sound, they've been in the house long enough to be firmly ensconced, and it will be a while longer before I'm ready to consider moving them to the bedroom and putting something new in their place. So ... what to do about the cables? How great would the audible differences be between the ones I've mentioned, when playing this kind of music through this system? If given the vicarious chance to spend my money for me, what would you plunk it down on?