[anonymoustao]

I'm still solidifying my amp decision, but in the event that I purchase a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum to use with my Vandersteen 2ce Sig II's, does anyone have any recommendations for speaker wire that has worked well for them with tube amplification.  I'm not certain how much i want to spend, so would greatly appreciate the recommendations of others within the following price ranges:

$50-$250
$250-$500
$500-$750

I would probably need 8 feet bi-wired.  So far, I've seen the following recommendations, but haven't heard them myself.

Speltz Anti-Cables
Goertz Alpha Core
Audioquest Rocket 88

Any feedback would be appreciated.  I really love the Vandersteens.  I used to have 1Cs, but then had an opportunity to get the 2's for a great price and am very happy with them.  Just need to figure out the speaker cables and amp and I'll be set for a while.

Thanks in advance for any advice!
Kevin

[Wig]

I used Alpha Goertz MI2 when I had my 2 Ce Sig II but Clear Day double shotgun cables would be the better bang for the buck cable and sound fantastic.

Wig

[rpf]

I used to own the 2CIs and would suggest Kimbert 8TC or 12TC (both of which I use in my systems now) but with un-plated copper (it has the most natural tonality) or gold plated copper connectors. Cardas and Eichmann have worked well for me. I would avoid silver or rhodium with the Vandy's metal tweeters.

I haven't tried these but they are similar in design to the Kimber and are at a much better price. http://www.cozcables.com/

I also have the Cronus Magnum and think it would make an excellent choice for the 2CE Sig. Upgrading the 6 fuses increases the resolution significantly (Parts Connexion is having a 40% off sale on Hi-Fi Tuning Fuses).

[jeffreybehr]

Kevin, maybe I'm the guy who recommended AQ Rocket88, and I still do.  It's a fine-sounding cable that does nothing significantly wrong, and it's affordable at $679 for an 8' pair, biwired.  Also, its uses DBS so it arrives about-90% broken in and stays at least that good forever.  The next cable up in AQ's line that's worth the upgrade (IMO, of course     ) is Gibraltar, which is another flat-type cable but 12- and not 13g. and in which all conductors are AQ's best copper ('PSC+') instead of R88's mix of PSC and PSC+.  Retail for an 8' pair is $1410.  Probably I couldn't hear the differences between these 2 cables, but I suppose some can, and that may include you.

In contrast to rpf, I absolutely would use the direct-silver-over-copper spades.  They, just like high-quality silver-conductor cable, add no brightness, and silver is well known to be a better conductor than gold.

Another highly affordable option is to have Sonic Craft custom-wind biwire cable for you using the extremely-hi-quality Teflon-insulated Neotec UPOCC-copper and perhaps UPOCC-silver conductors.  That stuff probably would be less expensive than the AQ cable.  I now use a braid of 6 conductors (3 per pole) of all-UPOCC silver, comprised of 18-, 23-, and 28g. conductors, on the highs, along with a braid of all-UPOCC-copper conductors on the lower frequencies of my Improved 5As.


Mine are biamped, but, of course, the cable can be assembled as biwires too.

Jeffrey Glowacki's e-mail is mail@soniccraft.com .  If you write, tell him I sent you.   

[tomytoons]

I also used Kimber 8TC when I had my 2Ci's. I used 8TC for a long time.
If you're going to spend $1400 I highly recommend WyWires speaker cables.
Just excellent!

[anonymoustao]

I'd love to spend $1400, but I can't.  I have heard wonderful things about WyWires.   

Thank you all for the information.  There's a lot to think about here. 

I suppose I may have to audition some of the choices.  I was hoping to get away easy and have a resounding chorus telling me that the cheapest option was the best and I should just run out and get Anti Cables, but that was a little delusional.   

If I'm going to spend in the ballpark of $500 I'm going to have to hear them.  Has anyone here used The Cable Company to audition cables?  Or would I just be better off with the local Vandersteen dealer's available options?  I'm pretty sure they'll have Kimber and Audioquest.  I see Clear Day offers a 30 day money back guarantee.  Do any of the other smaller manufactuers do the same? 

Again, thank you all for the feedback.  It's incredibly helpful.  I have some old AQ Type 4+ to use in while I find the right cable, but I want to maximize the Vandy's and the Rogue, and suspect I may be selling both short with the AQ Type 4+.

[timind]

I am a fan of Audioquest cables mainly because you can get such good deals for used cables. If you don't mind reterminating them, some of their older models such as Crystal can be found super cheap.
I used Audioquest Type 8 with Vandersteen 1Cs with good results. Audio Advisor is currently running "no frills" Type 8 at some pretty reasonable prices. I like the Type 8 because it's not overly bulky and sounds fine.

[rpf]

Both Kimber and AQ show up on Audiogon. all the time. Thus buying used is much more practical as, if they don't work out, you can re-sell them without losing much, if anything. It also leaves money to re-terminate them if you so choose.

It is somewhat dependent upon what you listen to but I find that even high quality silver (and I've auditioned Nordost Valhalla and other like cables) has a dryness - if not brightness - to the upper mid-range and treble (esp. noticeable with violins).

I've used the Cable Co. to audition products before; they're a good source. I think you can, if not audition, then purchase used cables from them and exchange them if they don't work out.

[cody69]

I've had Kimber 8TC bi-wired on my 2Ce Sigs since I bought them and think they're great. Using SS amp, not tubes, not sure if that matters or not. Good luck and which ever route you go, I'm sure you'll enjoy them.

[nrenter]

One of the finest sounding (realistically priced) systems I've heard was at John Fort Audio in Dallas - Vandersteen 2ce speakers, Rogue electronics, and Purist cables. A 2m bi-wire set of Musaeus Biwire- Praesto Revision will set you back less than $700 new (and you should be able to find a used pair for far less than that).

[anonymoustao]

This has been extremely helpful.  Thank you all!  So, these are the recommended contenders, with estimated retail prices for 8 foot bi-wire pairs:

Soniccraft   
Audioquest Type 8  - $375
Clear Day Double Shotgun - $450
Alpha Goertz MI2   - $560
Kimber 12TC - $626
AQ Rocket 88 - $679
Purist Cables Musaeus Praesto Revision - $768
Kimbert 8TC - $788

In doing the new retail price estimates, I didn't get too far into details of specific spade ends.  I'll probably just go in for the used wire, but the inability to audition except by buying and selling is a bit of a bummer so The Cable Company may be my best bet to talk to.  It's not that my time is so valuable, but it would be nice to just get it and forget it quickly if I can hear some of them back to back and find I have an obvious preference. 

Jeffreybehr, any idea what the SonicCraft wires similarly outfitted would cost?  I will contact them, but wanted to check and see if you had a ballpark figure I could expect.  BTW, the fellow i bought my speakers from was using the AQ Rocket 88.  He swore by it and was using it with his new Quattros. 

[jostber]

I use the LFD Grain Free Biwire 3 m speaker cables. Work very well with my SigII's.  A good used price from a vendor here:

http://www.hifi-adverts.co.uk/secondhand/6576_lfd_audio_grain_free_bi_wire_3m_set

[timind]

Here's a link to the AQ Type 8 at AudioAdvisor.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQT8NF&variation=8PIBNBN
Not pushing AudioAdvisor but your question originated on the same day I received an AudioAdvisor flyer in the mail.

[dminches]

I have used various Straightwire models and have enjoyed them.  They are also often available on Audiogon.  There are also a bunch of on line retailers that provide deep discounts on new cable including kemela.com.  Chris is great to deal with there.

[anonymoustao]

Thank you all for the new suggestions!  I'll add them to the list. 

BTW, I didn't take it as being a pusher, Timind.    I'd forgotten to add that and appreciate the reminder.  The price is certainly attractive.   Have you heard AQ Type 4+?  I'm curious as to how much of a difference there would be between 4+ and 8. 

I know.  The difference is 4.     But qualitatively... 

[rpf]

This has been extremely helpful.  Thank you all!  So, these are the recommended contenders, with estimated retail prices for 8 foot bi-wire pairs:

Soniccraft   
Audioquest Type 8  - $375
Clear Day Double Shotgun - $450
Alpha Goertz MI2   - $560
Kimber 12TC - $626
AQ Rocket 88 - $679
Purist Cables Musaeus Praesto Revision - $768
Kimbert 8TC - $788

In doing the new retail price estimates, I didn't get too far into details of specific spade ends.  I'll probably just go in for the used wire, but the inability to audition except by buying and selling is a bit of a bummer so The Cable Company may be my best bet to talk to.  It's not that my time is so valuable, but it would be nice to just get it and forget it quickly if I can hear some of them back to back and find I have an obvious preference. 

Jeffreybehr, any idea what the SonicCraft wires similarly outfitted would cost?  I will contact them, but wanted to check and see if you had a ballpark figure I could expect.  BTW, the fellow i bought my speakers from was using the AQ Rocket 88.  He swore by it and was using it with his new Quattros.

You must have gotten the prices reversed on the Kimber 8 and 12TC: the latter is more expensive.

The guys at the Cable Co. have a lot of experience with various cables used in combination with various equipment. They can offer you more detailed feedback. Fwiw, I deal with Paul there, who has always been very helpful.

[rollo]

  Kimber works very well with the Vandersteen character. Every time we heard them demoed Kimber was used.  Unfortunately all systems are different and synergy is key.
   


charles

[anonymoustao]

You must have gotten the prices reversed on the Kimber 8 and 12TC: the latter is more expensive.

The guys at the Cable Co. have a lot of experience with various cables used in combination with various equipment. They can offer you more detailed feedback. Fwiw, I deal with Paul there, who has always been very helpful.

you've certainly gone all the way with the ridge street cables, rpf. 

good catch on the price mixup.  i was rushing to get the list together so i had a basic overview of what options i'm looking at.  i'll check with the cable company and my local dealer for feedback/options. 

rollo is right about the different systems and synergy.  and we all have our preferences, so there's no substitute for hearing it yourself. 

still, this really helped a lot in terms of having a starting point.  i don't even have the amp yet, so there's really no rush.  and the type 4+ will hold me over through the extended wait to find the right cable. 

thanks again, everyone! 

[Dan Driscoll]

Parts Express Link 12AWG OFC



I am not trying to start another wire or cable war. This recommendation is based on my personal experience, including participation in 2 double blind (ABX) wire tests. I do not claim to be a golden ear and I'm certainly not a trained listener, but I have pretty good hearing, as confirmed by the full range hearing test I took a couple months ago when I turned 50.

Due to oxidation, I trim the ends every 6-12 months, depending on the condition of the wire. That also means I have to replace it every few years, but that's literally a very small price to pay.

[anonymoustao]

I like you, Dan.  I do think you're dangerously close to starting a wire or cable war, but I like you.  And my wallet likes you. 

We'll see what my ears say.  As I've mentioned, I already have the AQ Type 4+ that I've been using with the Vandersteens.  I will only be purchasing something if it sounds better, to my ears, than that.  Otherwise, I can easily find something else to do with the money.