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Budget cable chaos??? Is River Cable the new star?

Sometimes, I wonder that some audiophiles waste more time trying to determine what "budget" speaker cable to buy, than a cables costing 5 to 10 times as much. I include myself in that inglorious lot

Budget cables keep popping up on Audiogon almost daily. And, "The Cable Company" has few to none to loan out for audition in your system.

Let's see to date: there is Anti-Cable Reference, Clearday, Clearview, JW Cryo, Canare, etc, etc.... Now, I have uncovered a new budget cable company called RIVER CABLE an internet company. Their speaker cable looks well made and attractive to display, AND PRICING is ridiculously inexpensive. They basically offer three models: the entry level "Starflex". Flexgyny 6 and Flexgyny 8 (top of their line) The few reviews I found, claim that the latter two speaker cables are very good for the money, but sound distant in the midrange. The Flex 6 model I was informed is a better choice for longer cable runs because of the extra copper used. Not sure what that means or is even accurate. I have garnered that copper based speaker cables tend to sound warmer,and often more musical than the more analytical and cool silver based cables

So again begging the patience of the membership, has anyone auditioned or owned these RIVER CABLE speaker cables, and if so, how do they rank in sound quality with the others in the ongoing "budget buffet"???. I think the industry should put a moratorium on the number of so-called "budget cables" issued each year. There would probably be less buyers's remorse,and suicides among audiophiles

NOTE: Please, don't just respond by saying: "you will have to JUST try them to see what works in your system" Oh, bollocks!!! as the Brits say. The Audio business is not a consortium of roving Renaissance Faires tossing cables to the crowds for personal use. Get Real!! Thanks, Jim

sunnyjim
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
From looking through the Audiogon forum archives River Cable has been around for quite some time. The earliest post about them was from late 2004. That older thread mentions them in the same vein as DH Labs, Anti-Cables etc. I guess they don't advertise much here or are not as popular as the other budget cable manufacturers.

I'd probably stay away as you may not have any re-sale value with the River Cables as you would with others.

At least with the other manufacturers if you buy their cables used you can re-sell them at close to the same price to minimize loss.

Sometimes there is no way to avoid the buy, try and re-sell game in audio.
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Sunny, if you want to try copper ribbons check out the Goertz M1 cables.I had some in previous system and really liked them.They had a natural,organic sound to them.I ordered both copper and silver and sent the silver back for a prompt refund.I was planning on giving them another try but I auditioned ClearDay first and am totally happy with them and the rest of my cabling,so hopefully I am done now.Unless that evil upgrade bug strikes again:D
I noticed they have a restocking fee now,so you might want to ask about that if you decide to try them.Best of luck to you in your search!
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Jtcf. Thanks for the advice,> I know Goertz cables have been around for ages, and so might be able to find a pair of the cooper to audition or possibly buy from The Cable Company or The Used Cable Compnay
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Be careful with Goertz! The Goertz speaker cables achieve ultra-low inductance at the expense of having ultra-high capacitance, which, if used without a "Zobel network," has been known to cause some amplifiers to oscillate and self-destruct. Especially some solid state amplifiers.

The M1 has one of the lowest capacitances among the various Goertz models, but it is still pretty high at 500 pf/foot. That's 50 times higher than the River Flex8, and probably more than 10 times higher than most other speaker cables.

If you want to go with the M1, ask the supplier if they can provide a Zobel network with it, and/or ask the manufacturer of your amp for their opinion, telling them the particular length you would require. Especially if your amp is solid state.

Regards,
-- Al
jperry
2,463 posts
 
My Goertz cables came with the Zobel network, also explaining it was only necessary with some SS amps and not with transformer coupled tube amps. They sound good in my system
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