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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
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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
2,454 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
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Sunnyjim, I do read a lot of your cable posts, and sometimes I realize you're just being funny, and other times you sound somewhat frustrated. Is it too much to ask, what has been the "best overall" cable that you have used in your system?
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jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
I used the Goretz with two different ss amps with no problems,but apparently more research would be required on compatibility.Just what you need!It is indeed frustrating finding affordable cables.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
TO Tls49, Yes, sometimes frustrated, but I think we are all victims of a business model that makes it difficult to find the right combinations of components, and especially cables. This is mostly the consequence of the "business model" that evolved with the audio industry. I can offer more conjecture about this model but I said my piece. However, I will poke fun at the structural inconsistencies of this business/hobby.

However, to answer your question. My system has changed in the last five years. The Acoustic Zen Hologram 2 is excellent cable, but difficult to live with because if its girth.

Overall, I would say the Analysis Plus Oval 12 speaker cable was very enjoyable, and seemed to get better with every listening session. But I upgraded speakers from the Silverline Prelude II to the Acoustic Zen Adagios, and quickly realized I needed a better cable. I then bought the AZ H2's whose inner detail and midrange were exceptional. Unfortunately, in my room the cable provided a narrow soundstage that never extended beyond the speakers's outer boarders. So now, and after about 2 years, I continue to use the Audio Art SC-5(entry level stuff) speaker cable. It is good to very good, but I am not sold that its bigger brother, the SC-5E is necessarily better at three times the price. Thanks for your response and advice.
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