Speaker Cables? Your input kindly requested.

I say go with Zu cables...there are a few pairs on sale here, the wax are the better pairs, and the julians are ok.
but the Varial are too pricy.
check it out.
good luck

I liked my DH Labs Q-10 and T-14 external bi-wire set up when I was running M803 SII's using an Aragon 4004MkII amp, which is somewhat similar to your system. You did not state the length of cable you need for your $500. I am currently selling an 18 feet long pair of the DH Labs. Other usual suspects in your range include Kimber 4TC double run (or 8TC), Analyis Plus Oval 9, and some of the Audioquest cables, as well as others. I have not heard all of these, but found the DH Labs much better than AQ Type 4, and pretty good when compared to my Acarian Systems Black Orpheus. Of course the shorter your run, the better cable you can afford for your $500. Good luck with your search.

You should try the older Audioquest Midnight speaker cables since it will cure your harshness problem. Also it will make the presentation more musical.

here are a couple if suggestions. you really should look at your interconnects first ( they are the first to see and effect the signal )

speaker cables are important but i would start with the interconnects first.

try one pair cardas quadlink or cross between your cd & pre and maybe a pair of transperent musiclink plus or super (very smooth and coherant)between the pre to amp. the cardas is very warm and full bodied with excellent bass. I have reacently sold my balanced musiclinks pluses because my system was a little too laidback. dont be afraid to mix and match your interconnects, i tried all cardas, xlo, tara and transpearent. the best result i got was the cardas between pre to amp and xlo beteen cd to pre. the transpearant musiclink plus was very close to the cardas but i preferred the warmth of the cardas. the xlo was very revealing.

for speaker cable i would try some used xlo type 5 or 6 depending on budget.believe it or not i have read very good things on the monster 2.2 or 2.4s (biwire). i am not a monster company person but from what i have read( audio review)and people that i have corresponded with, they appear to be a good cable ( again check audio review)

note on biwiring: if a someone says it doesnt make a differnce, believe me it does. take some home and listen for yourself.

however, it should be a true bi-wire. either 2 pairs of cable or a shotgun design ( 2 pairs of cables that share a common termination at the amp end). some maunfactures take it a step further and even seperate the positive and negative cable ( i am selling a pair of tara master generation 1 here on audiogon if you want to see a picture). i am not trying to sell them to you,please note i would strongly suggest upgrading your interconnects before your speaker cables.

i hope that helps out.

best regards,

mike

I would recommend Discovery Signature speaker cable. I have some for sale that I used in a $50k reference system until I recently changed to Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval 8 (the only reasonably priced cable that bettered the Signature).