The short answer is to keep trying cables until you find what you like. Cable preferences, and the amount you spend on cables, will vary greatly from person to person. Search the posts here at at Audio Asylum and you will find more than a few evenings of reading material. I am one who believes cables do make a difference, but not to the level of an equipment change. On that basis, I generally look at spending a maximum of about 10 to 15 percent of the system cost on cables. Of course, that could be affected by the length of your cable runs. In your case, I would start with some simple Audio Asylum power cords using Volex SJT 14-3 power cable, and simple non-gold plated Marinco or Hubble plugs and iec's, or simply buy the same cable with molded plug ends. For other power cord choices, look up the VH Audio website. I like to use copper speaker cables and interconnects (using preferably solid core wire) with SS equipment. Inexpensive, easy to terminate, and good sounding cables can be made using Canare star quad cable and any one of a number of good spade connectors. If you need to bi-wire, use a single cable for HF and one for LF, connected together at the amp. If you can't solder and don't own a suitable crimp tool, use the Furutech spades which use set screws to torque down on the wire. Personally, I like Cardas cables and use Golden Cross (speaker) and Golden Reference (interconnect). Cardas Cross is good at a more entry to moderate level. I also like Sonoran Plateau cables that can be purchased relatively inexpensively here used. You will probably get a lot of other suggestions. Good luck.
Help w/cables for ss amp, etc...?
I've been reading a lot of posts lately regarding cable choices (power,IC,speaker) and it seems the feedback is mostly from tube owners but I'm particularly interested in hearing from those of you who have ss amps at the heart of your systems as I suspect the cable choices may be different in some cases. Please, more experienced audiophiles , your feedback !
My current IC and speaker cabling is custom made from Tom Tutay who many of you probably know. I like the Tutays better than the older Tara Labs ICs (Spectrum equivalents) and Blue Jeans Cable speaker cables which I initially had in my system. Now I feel the Tutays could be better/acheive more.
My current PCs are stock and wanting to upgrade them is what started my search. I've been trying for some used Audience PCs but missed the most recent offerings here on Audiogon. I'm also considering the Audio Horizons Transparent Cable PCs which would be the same price as the used Audience PC but brand new. Also I have a couple of PorterPorts on their way to help with the AC source.
I have a Bel Canto eVo2i integrated, Arcam FMJ CD-23, Marantz ST-17 tuner and Dynaudio 1.3SE Contours on custom Sound Anchor stands and listen to a wide variety of music at a low-medium volume.
I like the best-bang-for-your-buck approach to budgeting for these things. Your advice is appreciated !