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1st System - Help with cables

Hi Everyone,
I'm in the process of putting together my 1st quality audio system. At this point it consists of; Simaudio Moon I-5 Integ Amp, Rega Jupiter cdp (on the way) and Dynaudio 1.3 mk2 speakers on dyn stands. It's taken me quite a while to research and choose these products and I wound up purchasing each through Audiogon classifieds.

Now I just have to get speaker cables and interconnects.I'm mainly focusing on the speaker cables and would like to find something in the $300 or so used range that would be a decent starter/baseline cable for this system. Something transparent that won't add any uncessary color to the sound. Since I haven't used the system yet I can't say that I'm looking for a cable that will alter the sound in any particular way. I can always look for that later after I've had extended listening time and develop some preferences.

Any suggestions would be very helpful as the choices are pretty overwhelming. Thanks for the help...

John
jroth
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Military grade silver plated copper, Teflon insulated will beat just about everything tha's in your price range (12 ga, about 37-41 strands). The surplus wire I use has replaced in other ystems Kimber 8TC, XLO, Cardas--and when cryo treated was *uncomfortably* close to Pure Note Epsilon.

It's best to spend your $$$ on neutral ICs. I am using Ridge Street Audio MSE Gen II, which are extremely transparent, neutral and musical.

Don't forget noise control and room acoustics. You'll need to get them right before you can start making educated choices...
potsey
58 posts
 
We've all been in your position. I have found the intercons and power cords to have the most affect at this stage of the game. Some good value components to consider are Synergestic AC Master coupler power cords, Straight Wire
Virtuosso intercons and speaker cable (excellent value) and performance. Also YBA power cords.
good luck and good listening
Potsey
metonymie
19 posts
 
My first quality system resembled yours, with an I-5 at its heart. I can second the Synergistic Research recommendation and would add Harmonic Technology ic's and JPS Labs power cords to your list.
jroth OP
8 posts
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Using your suggestions as well as other info I could find I've listed some of the cables available both used and new in my price range.

I plan on looking at powercords too, just not yet. If anyone could weigh in on some of the choices below as well as others I'd appreciate it. Thanks again...

NEW - Kimber Kable 8TC Speaker Cable 6' - $216
NEW - Luminous Renaissance 8' - $240
USED - Nordost Red Dawn 6' - $375
USED - Acoustic Zen Satori 8' - $350
USED - Synergistic Research Signature 2 - $225 to $300
USED - Coincident CST1 6' - $335
NEW - Moon Audio Silver Dragon 6'- $280
USED - XLO Reference Type 5 8' - $325
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Good choices...the Danes are very revealing speakers...so a more a cable with a more "mellow" top end might be the ticket...and then one can add or substract nuetrality with the interconnect...that being said...I do like NOrdost products(they tend to sound their best in warmer systems) ...even though some have accused them of being a bit "thin" sounding...at any rate...their Flatline speaker cable is superb for the money....
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