[charles28722]

OK.  I know what you are thinking - another cable question...

I have just re-entered the audio world in the past year after a long term recess and I am looking for experience, not a sustitute for my own ears.  I'm a
two-channel audio guy listening to this sytem:

Pre-Amp:          Dodd Battery Powered
Amps:              Two - Parasound AC-1' stereo amps bridged as mono-blocks
Source:            Ayre C-5XE Universal Player
Speakers:         Paradigm Signature S-8's
Subwoofers:      Two Paradigm Servo 15's
Speaker Cable:  Speltz Anti-cable (bi-wired)
Interconnects:  Speltx Anti I'C's

My room is a dedicated listening room approx. 14'w x 21'L x 9'h (very close to one of the ideal room dimension formulas).  I have bass traps and ample sound attenuation panels in place and the room acoustics are pretty good.  Probably need to look into dispersion panels behind the listening position.  I am generally satisfied with the speakers but on certain recordings they can be on the bright side and I am now in the long term process of finding my next speakers.  But meanwhile, I'm working with what I've got. 

My question to you guys is:  I am clueless about cables and I/C's because I don't have the opportunity to try them.  I am trying to find cables that will optimize my system.  Some say the anti-cables are great, others spend fortunes on the high-end stuff.  I am willing to spend money on cables and I/C's (within reason) if there is a noticable sonic improvement.  I also know that the right cable might temper the forward treble of the S-8'.  So, what do you match to solid state, high current amps, tube pre-amp, world class digital source, and the S-8's to make them as good as they can get??

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Charles
Columbus, NC

[GregC]

Charles,

You have hit on a subject that will be largely based on personal preferences.  I have not tried any super high-end exotic cables, but I am very satisfied with the Signal Cable Silver Resolution interconnects and speaker cables in my system.  I feel they represent a huge bang for the buck, and straddle the line between being musical yet detailed (without sounding etched or forward).  I am using them with the same Dodd preamp as you but and Bel Canto Ref 1000 amps.  I hope this helps, but as always, YMMV.

Greg

[2bigears]

  no such thing as the right cable, don't get too hung up cables,do some room treatment,as the bang for the buck is high,way higher than cable cash......and buy lotsa music.....

[markC]

But, he already has substantial room treatment.
If your intent is to go the cable route, I would audition ones with a return policy and go for copper, considering your speaks.
Just My opinion.

[richidoo]

Hey Charles!
Fellow NC resident. PM me, maybe we can get together.

I had anticables all around, speakers, IC, jumpers and even autoformers, I loved them all, and really got my money's worth from Paul. The Speltz are great people to deal with and their products are the best available in that price range. But if price is not the primary consideration there are choices that offer better performance.

As friends brought over other wires now and then and I started to realize I was craving more than my anticables could deliver. I spent a few months trying loaner cables from some very generous and kind local audiophiles before I selected (of course  ) the most expensive set I tested - JPS Superconductor 3, it is awesome beyond description, so I won't try, that will only incite the cablephobes anyway. I will just say that you do get what you pay for with some cable brands, and hearing is believing.   But, my second choice was Harmonic Tech Pro9 (loaned to me by stereofool - thanks Steve!) which can be had in the used market for $400-500. The difference between the anticables and HT9 was night and day in many ways. Bass was like adding another 12" driver or adding 200 watts. Treble and midrange were smoother, but not terribly so, the anticable was always pretty good on treble, at least with MY system. The biggest improvement was midrange ringing, which is pretty severe with the anticables. That is the main reason I got the JPS, they are utterly silent, peaceful, composed during chaos, with unrestricted resolution. The HT9 has a trace of ring, but it is very enjoyable, happy, dancy feeling. Very fun cable. I probably should have got those, but the perfectionist in me took advantage and I paid dearly for the indulgence.   hahaha

I have heard the Parasound Ref100v3 side by side with same amp and wires as my speaker, so I know what you mean about the treble, if it is at all similar to the Ref100. The Signature is supposed to be far superior tweeter, but still aluminum dome, so I don't know how much of that you can fix by adding sweeter distortion to cover it up. You are into some high end gear that deserves to run free. Better money spent reducing distortion than piling it on. Enjoy your speaker hunt, it is a big change.

I eventually upgraded the anti-ICs to Grover Huffman S and have been very happy with them. Plenty good enough, although the JPS SC3 ICs were a smidge quieter with same superb resolution. The treble resolution of Grover ICs is excellent, being silver ribbon construction. I don't know if that is what you want with the S8 treble issue, more energy going into that tweeter. Worth a try, you can always return them. Hell, I have an extra pair you can try. PM me...

After I bought my JPS SCs, I auditioned Grover's biwire speaker cables and was very impressed with those also. We had a speaker cable shootout at my house where we auditioned about 8 wires. JPS first, Grover's second (@1/10th the price.) They were not completely broken in yet, either! All of his wires are truly incredible values among the high end strata of cables. His newest variation with carbon shielding is supposed to be another big step forward, and a little more expensive.
Good luck Charles!
Rich (in Apex)

[Big Red Machine]

I've spent a year buying and selling cables to find system matches.  Long story short, here are my favorites and all around winners in no order:

Reality anything
Ridge street Poiema
Audio Magic sc's

Of course YMMV.

I'd be happy to loan you a 1 meter pair of Reality IC's if you want to give them a whirl.

Pete

[2bigears]

   oppps,sorry,i did not read down far enough..yep,for the money,Reality and Grover H cables are a buy.....

[charles28722]

Thanks to all you guys.  As I told Rich in a PM, of all the audio gear that goes into recreating good music, I find I/C's and cables to be the most perplexing.  The search is on...

Charles

 

[dnnaudio]

Hi. Are you using stock power cables on your electronics? The reason I ask is you might actually want to explore this route to achieve the specific sonic voicing you are looking for especially considering the anticables do already have a very positive reputation, though i've not tried them myself.

BTW I use RSAD Poiema I/Cs and S/Cs, very neutral and transparent signal cables, a little pricy, but definitely worth the $$.

[jimdgoulding]

I personally can't vouch for the following but it got my attention (from the most recent copy of The Audiophile Voice):  "Five other so-called audiophiles and I, who have systems that retail for more than $35,000 (make that very much more) are using a newly discovered speaker cable at the low, low list price of $35.99 for FIFTY FEET!  Currently Parts Express is selling this reel for $21.00!!!  No, I won't tell you who these "dedicated listeners" are except to say that you'd recognize their names and disbelief would set in.  It's part #100-020 in the current Parts Express catalog.  They call it 14awg Dayton High Definition Speaker Wire.  Go ahead!  I dare you!  Give it a try."  Reprinted without the permission of David Nemzer.  The exclamation marks are his.  

[warnerwh]

I personally can't vouch for the following but it got my attention (from the most recent copy of The Audiophile Voice):  "Five other so-called audiophiles and I, who have systems that retail for more than $35,000 (make that very much more) are using a newly discovered speaker cable at the low, low list price of $35.99 for FIFTY FEET!  Currently Parts Express is selling this reel for $21.00!!!  No, I won't tell you who these "dedicated listeners" are except to say that you'd recognize their names and disbelief would set in.  It's part #100-020 in the current Parts Express catalog.  They call it 14awg Dayton High Definition Speaker Wire.  Go ahead!  I dare you!  Give it a try."  Reprinted without the permission of David Nemzer.  The exclamation marks are his.   

Mine only retails for 15k and I use home made IC's and speaker cable that cost 50 bucks or so including termination.  After trying quite a few different IC's and speaker cable I came to the conclusion moving my speakers 1" can have a more profound effect.  Thirty five years in this hobby and have learned what's important in music reproduction.  Acoustics are huge and if you want to spend much money at all I'd contact Gik or Realtraps and pay for professional assistance on getting the best acoustics I could.  Your money will be much better spent.  Just my .02

[amadeus916]

As GregC said, definitely a hot topic. I've done some A/B testing with cables and found no difference, so I am of the mindset that I'm not throwing down any more money then it costs to get some 12 gauge, copper stranded wire.

Even your local Magnolia in a Best Buy might have some "hi end" cables like audioquest, so I'd stop by there and see if you can notice a difference between those and 12 gauge. A wise man once told me that if you can hear a difference, then maybe it's worth it to spend hundreds of dollars for cable...If you don't, then don't.

Me myself, I don't...

[kyrill]

I personally can't vouch for the following but it got my attention (from the most recent copy of The Audiophile Voice):  "Five other so-called audiophiles and I, who have systems that retail for more than $35,000 (make that very much more) are using a newly discovered speaker cable at the low, low list price of $35.99 for FIFTY FEET!  Currently Parts Express is selling this reel for $21.00!!!  No, I won't tell you who these "dedicated listeners" are except to say that you'd recognize their names and disbelief would set in.  It's part #100-020 in the current Parts Express catalog.  They call it 14awg Dayton High Definition Speaker Wire.  Go ahead!  I dare you!  Give it a try."  Reprinted without the permission of David Nemzer.  The exclamation marks are his.   

hi
the cable has a clear pvc mantle. I thought pvc has an unwanted property of high dielectric: 3.4?
 ( http://www.clippercontrols.com/info/dielectric_constants.html#P )

[ohenry]

Hi Charles,
Small world, my mom lives in Columbus. 

I'll PM you later and tell you about a few things I've tried.

[SwedeSound]

I bought 16 feet of this stuff http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm Canare 4S11, terminated the cables myself and have been very pleased. I have it running bi-wired and it's replacing a set of heavy gauge Monster Cables (whose insides were starting to look like an old penny) and have noticed a clearer sound... And for the price, you can't go wrong. I think it was about $25 with shipping. I haven't tried high-priced cables in my system, but I'm pleased with what I hear -- and what I paid.

[Steve]

Hi Charles,

I found a large difference between cables. For instance the Grovers and Reality ICs, in two different high-end rigs at different locations. The Grovers had a much deeper soundstage vs the Realities. So you might want to decide what flavor you want.

Cheers.

[kbuzz3]

There is really super advise in this thread and you have a very nice system going there. Here's my two cents:

More recently and probably since you were last in the audio world a number of cable manufacturers have come into biz on the internet.  The key is that they all offer home trial and usually 30 Day MBG.  So first buy a limited amount of ics and/or SC from one of the manufacturers. Do some testing. Do you hear a difference, good or bad? If so, you have bypassed the debate and entered into the world of cables. Now, depending on your mind set you are are about to have a lot of fun or are on the road to hell.

Back to the above. This new breed of cable makers offers fantastic value.  I can confirm that many of the brands mentioned above are exactly where you want to go. Now start with two makers, order a few from each and compare.  After you have experienced a few and found what you like. return the ones you dont.  Or order up another round from another maker. When this is done, top it off next season with the same thing regarding power cords.

If i had the bucks, id be trying some pricey stuff from Audoi Magic, Kubla Sosna, JPS, and Gold ICS from KCI.  If money is no object you may want to skip the above and go right to one of these guys and you might be done

On a personal level and to aid in your decision note that in my main rig, I use and love the reality cables.  This is really subjective and system dependent.  I also own and still use:

Signal cable-waaaaaaaaaaaaay musical, never offensive
VH audio- test and see for yourself
Audiopath/Hudson audio:

In fairness it would be unjust not to warn you about your descent into the cable universe; after a few years you will get the urge to try something new.  Im about to undertake an new experiment with digi coax cords.  Here's a few more suspects, who make a full line of stuff

Auricle audio design
Grover
Kci

Oh did i mention some new power cords from audio magic  Given the above, you cant lose.

Finally, another word of warning and its a big one. Do not, I repeat DO NOT do any cable testing with music from celine dion, striesand, mandy pitikin or any broadway show tunes. Im also in the minority opinion that eric clapton material is also damaging to  your ears and unfair to any cable maker. 

I will state now, for the first time and hope that this becomes one of those stupid audio mantras and becomes urban legend: "use of these artists is offensive and makes any cable sound bad."

Good luck and enjoy the journey.