WHich interconnect to buy between Catcables, Signalcable...

michaelv · « **on:** 5 Aug 2005, 02:19 pm »

Hi,
It's now the time i need to upgrade interconnect in my system. I need 3 pairs as in order followed:
CD --> Tube buffer
Tube buffer ---> Pre-Amp
Pre-Amp ---> Amp

I see there are many reasonable interconnect in the market , but i narrow down to SignalCable, ElementCable and Catcables.

Do you have any experience between them? which one do you suggest? They are pretty much the same in type and price...so it's hard for me to determine.

Also, people are rave about Silver interconnect. Does it really like day and night in sound quality? THe price is big different between copper and silver.

thanks very much.

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 03:35 pm »

I don't like the guy who sells Catcable so "I" wouldn't buy those.

As far as the difference between silver and copper, it depends...I can show you copper cables that sound more like silver (whatever that means) and I can show you silver that sound more like you think copper should than most copper cables.

Anyway, in your apparent price range I would try Signal cable, Bolder M80's, DIYcable Superlatives, Homegrown Audio, Puresilversound and Outlaw.

One other thing, I have tried SilClear on copper WBT NextGen connectors and made them sound identicle to the Silver NextGen ones. In the future I will only buy the copper ones.

Connectors and how they are connected play a pretty big role in how IC's sound..of course differences in how they sound (or change your systems sound) depends on how revealing your system is.

michaelv · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 03:52 pm »

what do you think of bullet plug?

Marbles · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 03:54 pm »

Quote from: michaelv

what do you think of bullet plug?

Eichman Bullet plug is my second favorite behind NextGen

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 04:50 pm »

michaelv,

The Alpha-Core TQ2's aren't outrageously priced silver IC's...I think $179 per meter.

I've not bought a lot of IC's, nor any seriously pricey ones (by audiophool standards way over $500+), but the TQ2's have sounded beter than all in my possession.

LAT IC-200 (with silver Nextgen's added by Bolder Cable to the copper/silver fuse conductors) and a couple others were near that $500 price point retail - and I found the TQ2's better. To me, silver sounds better than copper in any iteneration I've heard, as well.

But, I'm pretty much a resolution freak, others that value depth and warmth to a recording might like copper better. It goes beyond silver versus copper as there are so many elements factoring into the sound.

Good luck playing around and report back - will ya'?

michaelv · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 05:43 pm »

I see Signalcable silver resolution is on sale right now. i may try it out and it has 30 days warranty on it. Also, Element Twisted pair is my concern too.

DTB300 · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 06:32 pm »

Quote from: Marbles

Quote from: michaelv
what do you think of bullet plug?

Eichman Bullet plug is my second favorite behind NextGen

For a price point between the two (Eichmann and WBT), have you tried the DH Lab Ultimate RCA($64 for 4)? For myself and my tastes, I like it much better than the Eichmann. So far I just cannot pay the $110+ for the NextGen's - maybe one day just to try them out..

Dan

Marbles · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 06:45 pm »

I have not tried those connectors.

I have some DH Labs Silver Sonic T-14, and Q10 (name?) speaker wire that seemed a little better than average for the price, but that's my only experience with DH Labs.

michaelv · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 06:47 pm »

Elementcable Twisted pair with bullet plug has a good review. I used to use their Musical II with bullet plug and i liked it.

I heard that Twisted pair IC has more defined in sound quality so that i want to try out. However, silver IC is bugging me for making the decision. I probably buy both and try, then return which i don't like.

Marbles · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 06:50 pm »

Try as many as you can afford to try....

dave_c · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 07:01 pm »

VenHaus Cryo Pulsars are really nice too. Nice balanced sound that gets out of the way.

michaelv · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 07:08 pm »

I would like to try all..

unfortunately, my budget is not that high...so i'm looking from 150 below. That's why i take Signalcable, Elementcable and Catcable in mind... and i want to buy from the place that i can return if it does not meet my goal.

However, i am willing to mix and match., as long as it balances out my budget ($400) for IC . hmm..tough decision.

dave_c · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 07:12 pm »

How long does each run have to be?

JLM · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 07:33 pm »

I have the Element Cable Twisted Pair II Interconnects in the standard 2 foot length with Eichman connectors and like them just fine (I'm not much of a wire guy). Transaction went well, they are very well made, and the 2 foot length is a nice compromise between typical 0.5 and 1.0 meter lengths in that for my small system are either too long or sometimes too short.

As far as the sound goes (again, I'm not much of a wire guy) but six of us got together for a audiofest and we used them most of the day with no compliants as we switched amps, speakers, sources, etc.

Element's Silver Serenades are only $20 more. Typically the copper/silver choice is based on your preferences and system synergy.

Signal Cable was my other choice, but as I also wanted speaker cables from the same company I went with Element Cable.

michaelv · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 07:38 pm »

Probably , i should list my gears so that i can get help better. I heard that silver is bright, even though i have never heard of sivler.

my gears: Rotel RC-1070, RB-1080, RCD-1072 and speakers : Totem Forrest.

thanks.

Marbles · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 08:52 pm »

Quote from: dave_c

VenHaus Cryo Pulsars are really nice too. Nice balanced sound that gets out of the way.

I use these and like them lots....highly recomended, especially at the price.

I have mine with copper Nextgens.

These might be a bit out of his price range though...

Soundideas · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 10:33 pm »

You might want to check these interconnects out www.redesignsaudio.com/cables.html

maxwalrath · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Aug 2005, 04:55 am »

My drunk thoughts....

take every cable that was recommended, see which ones have an unconditional money-back guarantee, and buy them all.

do a shootout and report back, return the shootout losers

..sorry, couldn't resist. I hate buying cables almost as much as trying to compare them.

With everything being so system dependent (and overlooking the fact that comparing cables blows), there's no reason why everyone shouldn't try this....

Marbles · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Aug 2005, 05:00 am »

Amen brother!!!

tvad4 · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Aug 2005, 05:04 am »

Quote from: maxwalrath

My drunk thoughts....

take every cable that was recommended, see which ones have an unconditional money-back guarantee, and buy them all.

do a shootout and report back, return the shootout losers .

That's the only method that works. To waste your time trying to decipher technical info and sort through the dozens of opinions from satisified users is to delay the inevitable...you're going to buy a number of IC's and try them anyway. It's an endless quest, with an equally endless ascension up the interconnect food chain. It's Audiophile Heroin, and only a 12 step program will get you to break the behavior...

Cut to the chase. Buy all the cables with MBG. Trust your ears, and return those you don't like.

And, use a clean needle...