Mix & Match Interconnects

I've mixed and matched quite a bit over the years, but I'm currently living happily with the synergistic sound of my whole system (2 channel only) wired with the same interconnect/speaker cable. The Tara Labs Decade.

I suggest using the best interconnects between your preamp and amp. This is the heart of your electronics. I find that you can get away with less between your cd player and the preamp. It's OK to mix companies, but you can probably achieve the most with one company.

My own experience parallels that of Jmcgrogan2. I have evolved to preferring the economical, single pricepoint, custom line of IC's, and Speaker cables from Audiogon member, Gregg Straley. There is synergy in them there hills, for sure. Great sound, modest cost, what's not to like? Plus, it's fun to have visitors unable to believe you spent so little, after their demo discs sound so good.

Same here for me in regards to using exclusivly Ridge Streets. Iv'e always mixed and matched cable either just to evaluate or based on the best application in my 2 channel cd/analog set up, perhaps prefering to use one manufactures cable for CD and another for mt turntable and phono. Certainly nothing wrong here as long as the application works in your system. With the Ridge Streets its same as what Albert Porter mentioned..same company with different levels of quality for the application.

I believe in using one single maufacturer, although I consult with the owner of the cable manufacturing company regarding product application. My two channel system incorporates his top of the line cable for every application. My HT uses what I would consider a compromise, what the owner feels is "correct application", due to less revealing components, higher noise floor due to marginal power conditioning, less critical performance demand, etc.

I propose that many designers consider one specific element of design playing a higher level of importance to the completed product. Whether these specific elements are in regards to physical configuration, or inductance/capacitance, or shielding, or fit & finish, whatever. It is ultimately what the designer feels is a priority in their particular design criteria. Personally? I feel it is what creates that specific manufacturers "synergy" or "personality". I feel that this becomes evident when each individual manufacturer's cable displays different types of sonic characteristics. Whether those characteristics could be considered pleasing is a matter of personal preference.

The manufacturer I have chosen, places priority in quiet signal transfer. This is a specific element that he considers highly important. He firmly believes that the quieter the better. He also feels that there are many, many benefits to producing the absolute quietest cable possible to the best of his ability. Increased resolution, dynamic range, high definition sound stage are just some of the residual benefits. It shows.

Are there "better" sounding cable combinations available? Maybe.
Are there "different" sounding cable combinations available? Absolutely.
Are there "quieter" sounding cable combinations available? I doubt it.
But, if you find one, let me know.