Long Speaker Wires/Short Interconnects or Long Interconnects/Short Speaker Wires


I have a choice between 30’ runs of 4-conductor 12 gauge OFC speaker wire and 6’ long solid silver interconnects between the preamp and amps.....or 30’ long runs of Canare Cable interconnect between the preamp and amps and a set of short Kimber Kable teflon covered triple braided copper speaker wire.

I’m currently running the 30’ runs of speaker wire and 6’ IC runs. Years ago I ran the shorter Kimber Kables at a previous house with the shorter ICs, but the KK runs were too short for my current room. Today I stumbled across the 30’ runs of Canare Cable ICs that I had completely forgotten I even had. It’s sort of a big job to switch things out just to experiment, so before I test blindly, I was wondering which scenario has the most benefit to sound? FWIW, I think the current setup sounds great, but that doesn’t mean the other scenario couldn’t sound better.

I’ve read that output and input impedance of the amps and preamp can make a difference....I don’t know those specs of either, but my system has a recently refreshed Lazarus Cascade Basic tube pre-amp (4 - 12AX7s) going to two recently rebuilt Dyna/VTA ST-70s tube amps in a vertical bi-amp configuration that power an older pair of Sterling Acoustics speakers with an 8" Focal kevlar woofer in a transmission line, and a 5" kevlar midbass. Thanks in advance for any insights!

128x128knotscott
If it is RCA, short interconnects.  If XLR, short speaker cables.

If a choice, go with XLR.

Even with RCA, the rule of thumb is long IC and short speaker cables, unless the preamp is designed specifically to be used close to the power amp.
Long single ended has always been a bad idea, and long speaker cables, if you get the right ones, work fine.
What about the power cord situation? Will you need to invest in new power cords if you change things around. what would you realise ($) if you sold the Canares? If you didn't use them for ages you'll hardly miss them, put the proceeds towards some new music.
Thanks to all.  I'm going with status quo for the time being.  The YouTube video offers a compelling argument for longer interconnects and shorter cables, but until a good time arises to dismantle the system, it's going to stay as is.  The next time I tear things down, I'd like to experiment and see how it goes.