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Interconnects:Dazed and Confused

I am fairly new to the high end audio world. I am switching from an integrated amp to separates, so I am in the market for new interconnects. I have been reading reviews by professionals, and cable threads on audiogon and audio asylum.
I would appreciate some comments from those more experienced than I.
I read reviews and comments about IC’s that cost under $900 made by Shunyata, Luminous, TG Audio and others and people rave about them. I then read about IC’s that cost between $3,000-$10,000 made by Nordost, Jena Labs and others and people rave about them.
I have not had the pleasure of auditioning a $5,000 IC. I am wondering if the people who rave about the less expensive IC’s got a chance to try several of the high price models would they be willing to go back to their lower priced cables if cost were no object; or would they hear such a difference that they could never go back?
I know everything is system dependent, but I guess I am wondering if a $500 interconnect could be just as satisfying as a $5,000 one. Does a great review for a $500 IC mean for this money this is great or does it mean I don’t want a Jena Labs Pathfinder ($6,000) this is it as far as sound is concerned?
Thanks for your thoughts
graub
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
One thing that you should know. The market dynamics are changin due to the internet. Small companies that sell direct are not only have the best values, but sometimes their products also have the best performance.

Aside from this, I would recommend high-purity silver for interconnects. There are several companies that make good ones. Beware, cheap silver cables can have significant high-frequency sibilance, often confused with "brightness". Avoid these. Also, with interconnects, the lower the capacitance per foot, the better. You can hit the top of the performance curve at about $500-$800 per 1 meter pair, but beware the companies that spend a ton on advertising. You are mostly paying for advertising with these guys.
arthursmuck
451 posts
 
If you can, get a few cables your interested in, determine areas of performance or asthetics you want to evaluate, list them out on a pad and keep your pen handy. Then have someone a/b blind switch them while you record your impressions and preferences, and then compare your notes and final grade for each. Only then have the other person tell you what you've been listening to. The results of this kind of testing are always pretty surprising.
listener57
730 posts
 
Since there is absolutely no substitute for in home trial of interconnects, consider contacting the vendors mentioned by Audiogon members where a money back guarantee is available. One such vendor who has recently sent me his product for home audition is Gregg Straley reached at greggstraley@yahoo.com. In my systems, his interconnects bested top of the line Mapleshade's, and even my Marigo's, although there it was more a matter of taste. To one who is "fairly new" the concept of personal taste about interconnects may seem strange, but it is your ears that matter. Gregg's moderate prices make the comparisons "no contest" if you are just starting your quest, and do want to combine economy with quality. Home trial with some break in time is the key to your personal satisfaction. Other posters should weigh in with their favorites, but I think Gregg may be your "best buy" after all is said and done. Among other benefits, his interconnects taught me the meaning of microdynamics, and unveiled a pure, black silence between the notes.
sonic_genius
528 posts
 
The best direct Internet "value added" companies are:

Pure Note
Empirical Audio
Silver Audio
TG Audio
and many more...
rcrump
427 posts
 
Yo Sonic Genius! TG is not a direct company and never has been and I don't even have a website, but do have about 25 dealers scattered around.......I do have another company, CTC Builders, that sells a very expensive preamp on a custom order basis.....

Back to interconnects lots of good ones out there, but quite a few have serious flaws as well......Just try them until you find something you like and no rush on this at all as interconnects make much less difference than speaker wire and power cords......
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