[AintJoM0mma]

Hello. Im looking to upgrade my interconnects. Im looking for fast, forward,  detailed, and full sound with extended highs, beautiful mids, and deep punchy bass (who isint ). Anyway, I need 2 pairs, and my budget is $150 per pair. So far I can get

-Pro Silway MKII
-Final Labs Speed 0202
-Black Mountain Cable
-Harmonic Tech TruthLink
-RS Cables Illume`
-Audience Maestro\Au24
-VH Audio (various models)
-DH Labs Air Matrix or Revelation
-Tara labs (various models)
-Kimber KCAG (or another kimber)
-Acoustic Zen (various)
-Music Metre (various)
-Pure Silver Sound Quartet
-JPS Superconductor FX
-Pure Note Series IV
-Ridge Street Audio Midnight Gen II

and anything else around that price range. What would you guys recommend? I dont mind buying used and the cable dosent have to be on that list. Thanks for the help!

[John Casler]

Hi Momma,

You didn't mention the "length"????

[AintJoM0mma]

shortest possible, .5 meters.

[Dennis M. Clark]

Hello momma  Any cable by Kimber will work.  I am not affiliated with Kimber cable.  Kimber makes quality cables.  Dennis M. Clark

[marvda1]

what's the rest of your system?

[Jay S]

You sound like me - you want it all.     I think that the trick will be to get a cable that sounds full and has a nice mid along with the other attributes you mentioned.  The stereotypical sound of silver cables wouldn't do it for you.  

That said, one IC that I feel does it all is mde by Slinkylinks (www.slinkylinks.net).  It uses 4 pure silver wires encased in an air dielectic (theoretically, the best dielectric is air, followed by teflon).  I compared it against several IC (silver, copper, hybrids) in my system and a friend's and we thought it managed to do it all, plus provide great musicality.  I use this IC from my source to my pre.  I also use their speaker cables.  The prices have gone up since the NZ$ has appreciated a lot in the last 2 years, but see if you can score a used pair.  

I used to have the Kimber KCAG.  My system was very different back then but it seemed to sound a little bit thin and seemed to call attention to any upstream problems in the HF.  

I also really like Bolder Cables.  I use their Nitro IC (silver / copper in a teflon dielectric) from my pre to amp.  There are numerous comparisons posted here and on www.harmonicdiscord.com about this excellent cable.  It is much cheaper than the Kimber KCAG but really sounds good.  Its been used in Brian Cheney's (of VMPS) show-winning system.  There should be a few of them floating around used since its been around for a couple of years.  The cryo versions are a bit better but I myself use a non-cryo version.  Wayne is on the verge of launching a successor to the Nitro (which is his flagship IC) so more used Nitros may be for sale.  

Wayne's M-80 IC has much of the performance of the Nitro but for much less.  It will fit very well in your budget brand new.  I use the M-80 from my dvd player to tv and also from my pre to my sub.  You can also find comparisons of the M80 to the Nitro here on AC.  There are several people here who use M80 ICs and speaker cables with very very expensive gear.

Jason (Pez) and Tyson have done several cable shootouts and posted writeups here on AC.  They've used some of the cables on your list.

Have fun!

[AintJoM0mma]

Definitive Technology BP7004 speakers
BAT VK-200 2 Channel amplifier
BAT VK-20 Preamp
IXOS Gamma Speaker Wire
Toshiba 3960 CD Player

Looking for interconnects, plan to upgrade speaker cable, and maybe add a sub

[bubba966]

I'll second Jay's suggestion on the Bolder Cables M-80's. My experience has shown me that while it's possible to get better performance than the M-80's, it costs a WHOLE LOT MORE $ to do so.

I'm running my subs on M-80's, as well as using M-80 speaker cable. An excellent cable that doesn't cost a fortune.

[Jay S]

I don't know if your Tosh is modded or stock but if it is stock then you may want to upgrade your source before you do too much with cables.  I know the Tosh's are giant killers for their price point but I don't think they are up to the level of your BAT pre and amp and I'd look to improving the source first esp particularly if you want smoother highs, fuller/smoother mids and improved imaging.  

Also, here's a cheap tweak to try before you try new cables -- make sure the screws holding the drivers to your speakers are nice and tight -- they tend to get loose over time and can make a very noticeable difference.  Just be careful and hold the trip of the screwdriver firmly to make sure that the magnet of the drivers doesn't pull it into the cone.

[AintJoM0mma]

Ill look into the CDP later, for now im upgrading cables.  

[Mad DOg]

i'd recommend trying some walker sst or mapleshade siltech on ur existing cables first...not much money to try and it works extremely well in extracting the most performance out of every cable i've tried it on.

[Jay S]

There are many paths to audio nirvana.     Do try the speaker driver tweak if you get a chance.  Its free and it takes just a couple of minutes.  I try to re-tighten my drivers every few months.  You don't have to make them super tight, just snug.

[Mad DOg]

...The stereotypical sound of silver cables wouldn't do it for you...

yeah, i'd have to agree with this statement.

[Jay S]

Here are links to a couple of cable comparisons:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=198
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=893

[AintJoM0mma]

JS: Thanks for those comparisons, so far I am either going to buy Kimber Select 1010 interconnects and speaker cable or Boulder IC's and speaker cable. Keep up the good suggestions!  

[WEEZ]

If you want the midrange to sound full and natural, try to audition the Cardas Microtwin. $129 for one meter.

The Kimber Hero is another option- $150 for one meter.

WEEZ

[Mad DOg]

aintjomomma,

what kind of ICs are you using now so that we understand your frame of reference...

if u say u're using rat shack golds currently, then most any IC you listed will get you closer to what you're looking for...

[orthobiz]

I've been happy with PS Audio cables. Currently Statements are on sale half off everywhere. Well within your budget.

biz

[Zero]

First off, AJM does not have any BAT gear.  The amp may or may not be on order the pre is certainly not on the way.  Second, he already has some decent interconnects -  Audience Conductors.

His indecisive nature on "what to buy" is akin to that of a granny trying to merge onto a freeway.  Perhaps it would be wise to focus on a source first, and then move your scopes towards a CD player.  Music Hall CD-25 is a good starting point, or perhaps an inexpensive yet reliable transport (AMC CD8b) with a good Dac (ack!Dac, Scott Nixon tube, Audio Note).  Ton's of options, the source is by far more important than the cable transfering the signal.  But alas, to each their own.

I will throw in my personal experience/opinion and go so far as to say I have found a new love, the Herron *from Herron Audio* interconnect.  Perhaps it is a strange synergy, but this cable has taken my system to a whole new level, something no cable I have experienced has been quite able to manage.

[AintJoM0mma]

Jeez, thank you Sean. Anyway, the BAT gear is on its way, and yeah im using Audience Conductors right now. I feel they are a bit too laid back.