What speaker cables are you using for your digital amp?

Andrew JC · « **Reply #20 on:** 2 Aug 2004, 07:06 pm »

It’s not my intention to thread jack. While we are on the topic of discussing cables and digital amps. Has anyone had much luck swapping out the power cable? Or should I just slip into my flame retardant suite?

JoshK · « **Reply #21 on:** 2 Aug 2004, 07:25 pm »

I was planning to mod my Panny XR10 to accept one of my home-brew power cords. Seems like it would be a decent upgrade, especially if you are running speakers that need current.

Ears · « **Reply #22 on:** 3 Aug 2004, 12:26 am »

On my previous xr 45, I swaped the main terminals for gold plated versions that would accept the full spade of the AP 9, or even better the bare 9 ga cable itself.

The results were much more bass impact than trying to put a single spade prong in the stock terminal.

This was an instant and very noticible improvement so any of the little digital wonders would probably show improvement in at least bass, whith better speaker connectors.

Ears · « **Reply #23 on:** 3 Aug 2004, 12:39 am »

Quote from: Dmason

i am using the Analysis Plus Clear oval and it sounds just great.

The Kenwood sounds better out of the box than the Panny 45 ever did, IMO, and analogue IN is a huge improvement over the former.

I agree about the analog ins, I would say they are much better than any of the 5 digitals I have tried....at least out of the box.

As far as the 7100 sounding better out of the box as compared to the 45, if better means not as transparent and slightly rolled off highs and a fuller midrange, then I can't argue whith you

At 125 hours or so, the Pany remains more transparent than the 7100.

One thing is for sure, there more cousins than brothers when it comes to sonics.
Still haven't decided if I like the kenwood as good as my fully broken in 45, I do like the 45 for HT better at this point.

dave_c · « **Reply #24 on:** 5 Aug 2004, 05:24 pm »

Are the 47Labs OTA similar to enamel coated magnet wires? Bascially single strand solid core copper?

ABEX · « **Reply #25 on:** 5 Aug 2004, 10:45 pm »

Quote from: dave_c

Are the 47Labs OTA similar to enamel coated magnet wires? Bascially single strand solid core copper?

From those who have tried to duplicate it by using other types of insulations the answer has been no.

I have the same design as 47's with the exception of color and the way the copper wsa drawn I believe. If you took a smample of mine and 47's the copper does look different. I used 47's as a standard to improve on because of lack of Bass complaints.

www.nearsota.com

Here are some impressions of mine to 47's and there are others which are using both:
http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=cables&n=84885&review=1

You can also do a search for the thread at A-Gon which has plenty of info on it.

geofstro · « **Reply #26 on:** 7 Aug 2004, 02:05 pm »

I plan on trying one of these digital receivers soon, just haven't decided on which one yet.

I'm going to end up using some long runs of speaker cable, probably about 16'.

Usually the longer the run the more the sound tends to suffer. Does anyone know if this is less likely to be a problem with these amps?

Also I want ot try using one of these as a power amp only. How do you do this? Is it just a question of running a pre-amp into one of the analogue inputs and turning the volume on the receiver up all the way, or is it more involved than that.

Thanks

geoff

ABEX · « **Reply #27 on:** 7 Aug 2004, 07:02 pm »

The long runs for the speakers should not pose a problem as long asd the wire you use is proven to be sufficient to use for it.

Most use higher gauged ,like 14ga wires for long runs.

I do not know if these receivers can be used for only it's amplification. My hunch is no they cannot.but someoe else might be able to clarify that.

Good luck!

geofstro · « **Reply #28 on:** 8 Aug 2004, 08:46 am »

Thanks once again for your help Abex.

I recall DMASON sayiing he used his as a Power amp only; but I don't know how he did it.

geoff

Jay S · « **Reply #29 on:** 8 Aug 2004, 12:41 pm »

I use pure silver air-dielectric cables from Slinkylinks (www.slinkylinks.net) with my Acoustic Reality digital amp. I believe there is a U.S. distributor now (check the website for dealers and reviews - I bought thru www.totallywired.co.nz in New Zealand).

The name is kinda weird but the cables do great. Guan and I and other members of the HK Audio Mafia listened to several different speaker cables about 12-18 months ago and found that the Slinkylinks had an uncanny ability to present detail + musicality and have a very balanced sound across the frequency spectrum. I also use their silver IC (between DAC and preamp).

I found that speaker cables do make a difference with my Acoustic Reality digital amp. The Slinkylinks sounded much better than the generic copper ribbon speaker cable that Peter sent to me with my amp, and the difference was not just your stereotypical silver vs copper sound. Peter also now offers his own line of speaker cables.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #30 on:** 8 Aug 2004, 03:05 pm »

Quote from: Jay S

I use pure silver air-dielectric cables from Slinkylinks (www.slinkylinks.net) with my Acoustic Reality digital amp. I believe there is a U.S. distributor now (check the website for dealers and reviews - I bought thru www.totallywired.co.nz in New Zealand).
.

The only dealer listed on the slinkysite has posted on AC--
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=6805&highlight=slinkylinks

No personal exp. with the cables, so I'll defer to Jay's evaluation.

AphileEarlyAdopter · « **Reply #31 on:** 8 Aug 2004, 06:44 pm »

Geoff,
Try the DH Labs T-14 speaker cables . Since these are silver plated it should be okay to use them unterminated. You can use double runs of these if you prefer or when you are using the Party mode to biamp.
The higher priced cables might give you more details and high-frequency extension, but I think the XR50 is very detailed enough you dont need specialised cables for most practical purposes. Actually, you can make a power cord out of the same cables with some good plugs at both ends. I found shielded power cords with the XR50 is making it a little flat .ie. there is a loss of soundstage.

ABEX · « **Reply #32 on:** 8 Aug 2004, 08:50 pm »

DH Labs stuff always came across bright in systems I had tried them in. It surprises me that they would not using the Panasonic Receivers. If they can be used without casting glare then that is good for those who like DH Labs cables.

Good luck!

geofstro · « **Reply #33 on:** 9 Aug 2004, 09:39 am »

Thanks to you both for the advice. DH labs has worked out quite well for me in the past. I have their balanced IC and a balanced digital cable from them, neither of which were bright in my system. Of course speaker cables are a different animal; but I will definitely consider them.

To begin with I've decided to try the JVC, since I found a good deal over here and I like the sound of what ChairGuy, Dmason and others have described.

I also like the idea of the Pannys straight through digital possibility with up to 192khz digital feeds, though. They seem to have improved the analogue inputs on the XR50 as well, so I'm going to hold out for the XR70; but it will depend on the price and opinions here as to whether I'll try that or the XR50.

geoff

JLM · « **Reply #34 on:** 10 Aug 2004, 10:55 am »

Jay,

The slinkylink stuff sounds verying interesting, but most of these cheap digital receivers would have to be modded to accept the slinkylink terminations.

And the cost of the typical slinkylink interconnect plus speaker cables would be 2 - 3 times the cost of the receivers to start with. Add to that the cost to mod the receivers and the $250 USD stock receiver becomes $1,000 USD with mods and cabling (plus after market power cord). (Still a good price for this level of sound quality and the mods will help the sound even more, just seems a bit out of line).

gary · « **Reply #35 on:** 10 Aug 2004, 02:16 pm »

Quote from: JLM

Jay,

The slinkylink stuff sounds verying interesting, but most of these cheap digital receivers would have to be modded to accept the slinkylink terminations.

And the cost of the typical slinkylink interconnect plus speaker cables would be 2 - 3 times the cost of the receivers to start with. Add to that the cost to mod the receivers and the $250 USD stock receiver becomes $1,000 USD with mods and cabling (plus after market power cord). (Still a good price for this level of sound quality and the mods will help the sound even more, just seems a bit out of line).

The slinkylinks cables are basically just four runs of 30 ga. silver for each lead. You can get enough silver to make a 7' set for about $20 or so, just make sure you get 99.9% pure dead soft silver and not an alloy like sterling. For the sleeve, use thin-walled teflon tubing, 14 ga. or so. Twist the four strands together at each end and tin with solder to hold them together and you're all set, maybe even add some shrink wrap to pretty them up a bit but that's not really necessary. You could also put each strand of silver in its own tube, but that gets pretty expensive. I find that the cables still sound great with all four strands inside each, and that keeps the price under $50 to make a set.

Gary

geofstro · « **Reply #36 on:** 10 Aug 2004, 10:25 pm »

I was wondering if these would work without having to mod the JVC.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=185-186

They can accept up to 8 guage; but I don't know if the flex bit on the end would fit into those spring clips.

geoff

mcgsxr · « **Reply #37 on:** 10 Aug 2004, 10:39 pm »

Not sure, I don't own the JVC, but the text in your link suggests that it would, and having seen those "pins" in use, I think they would fit into anything that I have seen - good catch!

Mark

Dmason · « **Reply #38 on:** 10 Aug 2004, 11:43 pm »

Nice score Monaco; I didn't know such a beast existed. I ordered some when I noticed it was $20 for TWO pairs, complete. Good ol' PartsExpress!

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #39 on:** 11 Aug 2004, 12:00 am »

Hey guys,

Save more money and get the Dayton branded ones...probably do the same. I have the single banana plugs by them and they are stellar.

I was going to buy these a couple months ago on my last PE order, but didn't. All the other Dayton stuff has been quite good that I've bought.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=091-1255