What is the story with silver cables, and where is a good source for them?

Freo-1 · « **on:** 6 Oct 2008, 12:53 am »

I know cables have been beat to death here, but I'm curious about getting a pair of silver interconnects, just to see if they really help or not?

So, where are good places to get them that will not break the bank? While we are at it, what's the go on silver speaker cables?

mca · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 01:35 am »

I'm glad you brought this up. Since the addition of a Red Wine 30.2 my system has really smoothed out, maybe a little too much so. I have been thinking about trying silver cables to see what effect they have on the system.

For speaker cables, I have been thinking about trying the Clear Day cables sold on Audiogon. They look like a very simple construction at a very good price. I guess he is working on IC's also but does not have them ready yet. He suggested a good match are the silver IC's from Morrow audio.

I'd be curious if anyone has tried either of these cables and what their thoughts were along with any other silver cables.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 01:48 am »

I've used Jupiter 28g 5N (%99.999 pure) silver wire, its really good stuff. Recently, I tried twisting 2 stands of that with one of the 26g 6N Copper wire, which turned out great. I used 20g magnet wire as the ground in the same geometry as the anti-cable ICs, and used Switchcraft RCA plugs.

http://www.partsconnexion.com/catalog/wire.html

The results are (IMO) better than anti-cable ICs, and bested some Zu and Vampire Coax based ICs as well as a standard twisted pair I made using the same materials.

I also have a set of Jupiter ICs, they are also really good. They use 8 strands of 28g copper in a litz-braided helix. More bass and warmth compared to the silver anti-cable type... the silver ICs are very accurate, clear, and preserve detail extremely well.

http://www.jupitercondenser.com/jupitercables.htm

What is "best" will certainly change with personal tastes and the system they are used in. I really like the Jupiter cotton cable in my system, but in a friend's system the silver anti-cable clone was a better match.

I don't know about solid silver speaker cable ($$$$), but I really like the speaker cable I made out of 18g silver plated copper w/ teflon insulation (mil-spec wire) in a star quad. Its $.18/ft online, and the 80 ft I used cost about $15.

tvyankee · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 02:19 am »

hey

i tried the clear day speaker cables and they are very good for the money. not only do they sound great but they are built very well. also the owner of the company is very cool and a pleasure to work with. i would with out a doubt recommend them in a minute.

good luck

BradJudy · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 02:23 am »

The first company that comes to my mind when anyone mentions silver cables is Home Grown Audio - http://www.homegrownaudio.com/

They sell complete cables and DIY parts, but I haven't used any of their products.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 12:08 pm »

You could try DH Labs. I think their cables are silver-plated copper, though. They are relatively inexpensive and could give you what you're looking for. Lots on Agon right now!

vman71 · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 12:21 pm »

I like using silver IC's and SC's for use with my tube gear. It seems to be a great blend between the two. I'll add that the silver IC's and SC's that I have match up very well with both of my chip amps.

Ultimately, you should try both copper and silver cables in your system and let your ears be the judge.

Ridge Street Audio makes some fantastic silver cables. If you don't/can't buy the new, be patient a look for used.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 04:30 am »

Here's a pair of cables that I have heard very good things about if your from the school that cables make a difference.

White Zombie Cables http://www.whitezombieaudio.com/elchupacabra.html

http://www.whitezombieaudio.com/lacacanyacables.html

musicman06 · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 05:35 am »

Found these originally on Canuck Audio Mart.

http://www.ultimatecables.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_67

This guy is in Montreal. I have the XLR interconnects, they are one of the better values I've found.

Here's a review as well:

http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/Cables/reviews/ultimatecable.htm

grsimmon · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 05:20 pm »

Silver is slightly more conductive than copper. Depends on where you read it but it seems like 5 - 7% more conductive, and that may or may not make a difference in speaker cables in particular for long runs. Whether you can tell the difference in sound is debatable I guess, some people swear by it.

I recommend DH Labs (they have both silver and silver plated copper) and Tributaries (Silver Series is silver plated copper). Some people turn their nose up at Tributaries but I think it's fine and the build quality is solid. I also recommend just buying used on ebay, Audiogon, AudioCircle, etc. don't waste your money on new. Tributaries has raised their prices, again, and they are getting silly.

richidoo · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 05:50 pm »

http://www.groverhuffman.com

These are great cables. Good price for world class performance, 60 day trial.

And he finally has a website!

toocool4 · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 06:39 pm »

Not sure what your budget is like but you can try Slinkylinks, they are very good I use the interconnect between my phono stage and the pre-amp.

http://www.slinkylinks.net/

Chris

arthurs · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 07:20 pm »

KCI John (AC name) of KCI Cables is doing some very interesting things with silver IC's and speaker cables, they maintain the benefits of silver while avoiding some of the potential downsides....just to add to the excellent reccomendations already made in this thread...

kyrill · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 07:38 pm »

it is as it seems not only a matter of wire resistance ( silver is more conductive than copper as gold is less conductive than copper. However that does not relate to their sound characteristics. the brightness of silver ( negative property, silver has also above copper positive properties) I have heard in more than one brand in my own setup.

A Dutch well known audio engineer sells silver wire to make yr own cables as ( many) other websites do, however he adds: "silver wire, the only commercially available type who does not peak in high." ( babelfish translation

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Faudiomagic.nl%2Fcomponenten.html&lp=nl_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

markC · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 10:03 pm »

You could also build your own on the cheap,(relatively speaking), ala VH Audio. There's a build how-to on the web site and you can buy the materials there if you wish.
I built 2 pair of these a few years ago and they are still in my system today.

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Oct 2008, 12:13 am »

You may want to try the signal cable silver resolution , very good value and i believe they have MBG of 30 days....If your budget increases, the audio magic silver stuff is also well thought of.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Oct 2008, 09:44 pm »

Thanks, gents. Lots of good stuff here!

Off to do some homework.

rodge827 · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Oct 2008, 04:50 am »

Freo-1,

If you are into DIY than check this site out.

http://www.laventure.net/tourist/cables.htm

I found this site a while back and made some speaker wire with 1mm solid silver Audio Consulting wire in a cotton piping. I'm not looking to replace them any time soon.

DIY HIFI Supply and Take Five Audio are good sources for cable construction parts.

http://www.diyhifisupply.com/?q=catalog/65/cable_and_connectors

http://www.takefiveaudio.com/mall/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=89&cat=Solid+Core+Silver

http://www.audio-consulting.ch/

Good Luck,

Chris

Brown · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Oct 2008, 03:19 pm »

Quote from: BradJudy on 6 Oct 2008, 02:23 am

The first company that comes to my mind when anyone mentions silver cables is Home Grown Audio - http://www.homegrownaudio.com/

They sell complete cables and DIY parts, but I haven't used any of their products.

Good recco. Wellmade inexpensive and good sound.

bacobits1 · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Oct 2008, 03:31 pm »

Yup, I've been using HGA silver for a long time now.
Buy the kits and they are pretty reasonable. Great sound!

D