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Good entry level cables

Hi allnewbie here and I am totally confused. Just when i see and decide on a cable, another thread pops up recommending a different one... and I don't have time to keep changing different brand cables around to see what matches or sounds best. I probably only have an mid level system? So I need a consensus (not gonna happen haha) of what I need minimum now and for what piece of equipment.I have what follows- My room is 20x16. Ceiling height is 10'. Equipement is in the rear of the room. So I need speaker cables from FOH to the rear. This is new construction so I can place cables in wall or in ceiling. Probably 30' run of speaker cable. I've looked at monoprice, BJC, and others recommended on here that are REALLY expensive. I'm already over budget lol. Solid core, insulated strands?Power cables?Interconnects?In order of importance. What is the minimum I need? Best for the money?
Equipment as follows:
Atlantic Technologies 8200 - 2 fronts with 2 subs, a center, 2 pair surrounds4 Revel in-ceiling C763L for dolby atmos
Lexicon RV9Sony VPL-vw695es
Audioquest Niagra 1200Lexicon DD8-A for in ceiling revels (not purchased yet for $999 new) Anything better in this price range

obtuse2

Showing 3 responses by auxinput

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
I would recommend Audioquest Rocket 44 "no frills" version from Audio Advisor.  These are significantly cheaper than the retail version of the Audioquest cables.  They do have a "premium no frills" version that uses better terminations (spades/bananas).  They are multiple awg solid-core conductors.  Maybe not OCC copper, but very good copper.  The Rocket 88 uses better copper and is approaching OCC quality (but is more expensive).   These are essentially 13awg speaker cables.

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQRO44NF

If the specific length you need is not shown, just give them a call.  They can make these at any length you want.  They just pull the wire off a large spool and cut/terminate to your specifications.

Audio Envy might use OCC copper, but they do not publish the awg and it's almost definite that it's stranded (not solid core).  I'm not saying anything negative about Audio Envy and I'm sure they are good cables, but solid-core has always performed better in my tests.  It just sounds more solid (no pun intended) and less harsh.  Stranded cable may sound good, but presents a sound that is not quite as natural.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Can these be run in the wall? I’m doing new construction so I can run them through the studs behind the drywall

Well, you could run them in the wall, but I don't think either of these cables would be legal as far as electrical codes are concerned.  You really need a speaker cable that is "CL3" certified.  There aren't many good speaker cables that meet this CL3 requirement.


auxinput
2,920 posts
 
It’s seems you have not heard Audio Envy cables. If you did, you have not made the above statement. The bottom line is most top cable designs utilize OCC as it gives the absolute purest base platform to get that much closer to true absolute transparency.

I have done a direct comparison between stranded OCC and low grade solid core.  Comparing an extremely high end expensive 14awg Furutech OCC stranded cable used as a power cord.  This comparison was with some lower grade copper, but used a multiple 20awg solid-core braided configuration.  I could hear that the OCC Furutech gave better resolution, but it had a weird phasing effect and the sound was not nearly as solid or natural as the low grade solid-core.  I would pick the low grade solid core every day because it was much more pleasing to listen to and give a much more realistic result.

This was just on a power cord comparison, using the exact same plug connectors, so it was truly apples-to-apples comparison.  I suspect this same result would be similar when comparing speaker cable.
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