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Shortlist of Speaker Cables/ICs: advice/opinions

Good Day,

I am in the market for speaker cables and interconnects. The system includes an Electrocompaniet amp, Shanling CDP and Gallo Ref III speakers. I am looking for 6-8ft single wire SC and 1m RCA IC, budget of $700-$900 new or used.

The characterisitics I am after are: something detailed and accurate, but not clinical/not too lean. I also prefer something warm as opposed to something bright dry as long as it isn't too rolled off. However accuracy is the key.

I have come up with the following shortlist and would like any suggestions, opinions and experiences. As you can see, I plan to get SC and IC from the same brand (this has always worked well for me):

Kimber: MonocleXL SC and KS-1011 IC
Analysis Plus: Solo Oval 8 SC and Solo Crystal IC
Harmonic Tech: Pro 9 Plus SC and Pro-Silway III IC
Acoustic Zen: Satori II SC and Matrix Ref II IC

Please try not to suggest other brands as many are simply not available to me. I have also tried Cardas and Audience, neither of which impressed me (well, the Cardas Golden Cross did but is way out of my budget).

Thanks and Regards,
X
xenithon
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Xenithon,

With the make-up of your system, I would really suggest taking the other people's suggestions. If you did not like the AU24, I doubt you will like any of those on your list.

Why not get something that offers a trial period? Many companies do, and if you buy used from Audiogon, you can always resell a cable if you don't like it. Verastarr &
Z-Squared (often available on auction here) both offer trial periods, and have exactly the sonic characteristics you describe. In my two systems, both of these cables far outperformed all of those on your list, with the exception of the Kimber--I've not heard them. In my experience, those on your list are a bit distant and bland, and would not give you the performance you seek, given the associated components.
Good luck,

Howard
driver's avatar
driver
750 posts
 
In all seriousness, unless you borrow the cables from your dealer (or whoever) and audition in your own system, you are trying them blind.

My suggestion would be contact the cable company & let them know what you're after. They have a program that allows you to audition in home for much less than it would take to buy & sell multiple sets of cables to get what you want.
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
I must mentione that I live in South Africa. Availability is very limited. It is also not possible to audition all the cables even those with 30 day trials as it would cost $100 or more just to send them here and back. The ones on my list are the ones I can get and will audition before buying.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
That definitely makes a difference! Thanks for the clarification, Xenithon. In that case, I would suggest that you try a silver IC with a copper speaker cable. The Analysis Plus should be within your budget.
All the best,
Howard
driver's avatar
driver
750 posts
 
Again, in all seriousness, even though all cables exhibit certain qualities that are supposed to translate into how they should sound in your system, it really does take an in home audition to get a true feel how they'll work for you, for in addition to sonic characteristics there's the question of synergy.

You have already made the best suggestion, that being get the cables available & audition them & regardless of what anybody try’s to tell you, always trust your ears when it comes to your system.

I would also suggest you take notes while doing your auditioning.
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