[magsterone]

Hi Y'all,

      I have two questions.  First, how difference does custom speaker cables make as compared to using good heavy guage copper wire?
Second, d how much difference do custom power cords make? Or do they? 
     I know there are strong opinions about his, but I am wondering if my money would be better spent on equipment and customize cables later, if necessary.

Thanks,

[ted_b]

In order to even come close to a relevant set of answers for you, you'll need to level set.  Please give us some info:
* your system description (all relevant equipment, but especially those pieces that will be the recipients of said cables)
* room description
* stuff you like to listen to/watch
* idea of what your goals are (video, audio, combined HT and 2 channel, hirez music, BluRay, yadayada)
* budgetary estimates (bigger than a breadbox)

This whole hobby is about tradeoffs, and until we know what you have and what you can trade off, we are shooting in the dark.

And yes, improving ac power and signal path purity (or adding a flavor or tone that might be pleasing) is always an option...and can range from $100 to ten times that or more.

[JP78]

spend money on your equipment first.  whether or not cables make a difference or not...the better your equipment will allow the differences between cables to shine (if there is one).

[magsterone]

Hi,
     My set-up is as follows;
Nakamichi avr-10, dvd-10, vonschweikert vr-1's as front pair, von schweikert lcr-15 as center with mb quart as rear surrounds, nht sa2 powered sub.  My room is 30' deep by 18' wide and opens on one side to a another large area.
     I had two budgets in mind for a reciever,amp, and either a universal player or separate blu-ray and one that plays the other formats for $5k or $7k.  I mainly listen to music on it, but will use it also for home theater. 
     Looking at the cabling issue I think I will either go with "Blue Jeans" or "Impact Acoustics Sonicwave".  I can't justify the expenditure for the "other type" of cables.  I think I will have someone help do a room and speaker set-up analysis instead.  I am looking for a good conditioner/surge protector as here in Mobile, AL we get some serious electrical storms. 
     I am looking for any info/opinions on the equipment/cables/power cords/conditioners.  I have never used the latter items before.  Are the custom power cords worth it?
Thanks,

[JP78]

i think the blue jeans cable are a fine idea...excellent quality construction with sound engineering principles and a reasonable price. i also think spending extra on room acoustics and treatments will leave you with a far, far, far greater impact than expensive cables. i'm partial to gik room treatments...they look great and are relatively inexpensive.

i do believe in spending more on cables as a finishing step for a world-class system. the only expensive cables i really would recommend are empirical audio cables, because they do offer some phenomenal measurements and cutting edge science...i've noticed in my system this reduced the final edges of sibilance.  again, however, the cables were under 15% of the system cost and the rest of the system had been tuned very nicely.

with regards to your system upgrade, i'd probably go with a high quality receiver (1.5k), a very good quality modwright player as a transport for movies (2k or so with mods) and analog out for two channel, and spend the rest upgrading your mains. a high-end receiver by outlaw, integra research, or denon custom install line should be perfect for your needs.  if you enjoy the vs house sound you can always go up the line...otherwise there are some very fine manufacturers right here on audiocircle. from my limited exposure at trade shows, for example (and this is only *my* experience, yours may differ) i really preferred the sound of the aci sapphire xl to the vr-1 monitors.  i think for music and movies both the sapphires would be a huge step up for you.  again, that's just one person's opinion...but no matter what i really think you should save your money on the electronics and step up the speakers. 

i'm of the belief (at the value-priced market segment) speakers impact the sound quality far, far more than swapping out amps and such (as long as there is not a power restriction or impedance mismatch between speaker and amp). you may as well get the best mains you can afford and let them sing with some solid power.

best,

jp

[Ericus Rex]

In my limited personal experience (and with my own equipment and my local power companies), I've found that power conditioners make a bigger difference than cables which make a bigger difference than power cords.  I'm sure others would disagree - if you have good clean power at the street and good wiring in the house then the conditioner might not make such a big difference.  I'd recommend, for now, getting good inexpensive speaker/interconnects (along the lines of Blue Jeans), sticking with stock power cords (or cheapies like the entry Parasound) and get a good power conditioner and spend what's left over on electronics or speakers.

[Mike19]

Hi Mag.

Since 1970 I have assembled like 10 stereo systems ranging in cost (in today's $$$) from about $300 to over $50,000.

Through my experience I have developed a rule of thumb for my systems: no more than 10% for speaker wire, interconnects and power cords (collectovely, "cables").

Examples:

$1000 system; $100 on cables (like from Monoprice)

$2,500 system; $250 on cables (like from Blue Jeans Cable or Zebra Cable)

$5,000 system; $500 on cables (like from Anti-Cables, Empirical Cable, PS Audio)

$10,000 system; $1000 on cables  (lower series Audience, Kimber, Cardas, etc...)

$50,000 system; If one can afford this much for their system, one could probably  afford any cables one wants. Question is: how much improvement for the money spent?

Mike

[mjosef]

1. Custom speaker cables can make a notable difference.
2. Custom power cords can make a notable difference.

But first, you need to find the right balance with your system components. Find that balance you like, then after you can "enhance"(refine) the sound by exploring cabling and other stuff.

[Mariusz]

Hi Y'all,

      I have two questions.  First, how difference does custom speaker cables make as compared to using good heavy guage copper wire?
Second, d how much difference do custom power cords make? Or do they? 
     I know there are strong opinions about his, but I am wondering if my money would be better spent on equipment and customize cables later, if necessary.

Thanks,

I would focus on other things then PCs.
But that is just me.

It is hard to believe that you are already at the stadium that the only improvement in your system can be obtain by power cords.

Best
Mariusz

[mksimith2]