2. cables
  3. 1269460735

Long ICs versus long speaker cables

I've described my listening room in several previous posts, but basically I'm working with a huge 14x40 space, half of which is my listening area and the other half is an open kitchen dining area. I would like to keep my rack along the long wall and move the speakers back to the short wall (currently I have a nearfield configuration).

My question is: would it be better to purchase 6 meters of speaker cable or a 6 meter IC?

I think I have read here on Audiogon that some amps/preamps, like Shindo, have issues with long interconnects. I currently have Cardas Golden Ref. speaker and IC cables. The Cardas speaker cable is too bulky and inflexible for such a long run. If long speaker wire is the way to go I was thinking of either replacing the Cardas with Audience Au24 or Auditorium 23. I'm open to other suggestions. Thanks!
dpe

Showing 1 response by bdgregory

bdgregory
1,708 posts
 
in my home theater I'm using 30 ft ultra-low capacitance IC's from my preamp to the power amps which sit next to my speakers. My speaker cables are 5 ft long.

I'm hardly an authority, but the technical argument I have read says BECAUSE speaker cables carry higher voltage and currents than IC's, they are more subject to capacitive losses, and should therefor be kept short. IC's on the other hand carry lower voltage and current, and also are constructed to minimize capacitive losses.

My experience with my long IC's is I haven't noticed any difference from when I had my pre/pro positioned next to my amps running 2 meter IC's
More to discover