New speaker cables recommendations sought
@gillsysb Costs about the same as the Zavfinos. I've only had limited break-in time but so far the sound I'm getting is quite pleasing. More to come... |
Thank you to everyone who posted. It was a delightful mini-journey finding new cables. The Zavfinos OCC Cables I purchased are delightful, sounding better each day, in no small part to using the complimentary Tara Labs Cascade conditioning program I employ every time I leave my home. My wife, who is my second set of ears but not an audiophile, is also impressed, believing the sound to be deeper & richer (this also includes the addition of Acoustic Zen Tsunami PCs bought second-hand weeks earlier) while less harsh in the mids & highs. Cheers! |
I would second @grannyring 's endorsement of the Duelund cables. I started off with Tellurium Q Ultra Black II feeding my ATC SCM40s. Though some regard these cables as a touch warmer than neutral, I was finding the overall sound a little hard and bright. ATCs are not noted for being laid-back, plus my room has many reflective surfaces. On the basis of this blog, I plumped for the Dual DCA12GA, 2 metres unterminated. I have the ends of the cable stripped and threaded through the amp's terminals plus the 3 sets of binding posts on my ATCs. This is quite a cost saving on both plugs and jumpers. The sound is wonderful, and at 60 hours so far, is only getting better. Tbh, at first, the mid-range was a little shouty, but has now settled. I would say its strengths lie not necessarily in subduing the high-end, but in emphasising the musicality of the mid-range. When I swapped back the TQ, I did hear slightly better dynamics and detail, but overall it felt cold and analytical.
[Digression] Interestingly, I experimented with Roon's DSP recently and created EQ graphs using a UMIK microphone and REW. As far as this setup could determine, there was no material difference in the analysis of the Duelund and the TQ. Yet, to the ear, the difference is very clear. This is perhaps an anecdotal insight into the frequent battles between those who sit in the "measurement" camp and deny the subjectivity of those who claim differences, when it "can't make sense" (ethernet and USB cabling being a very obvious case). |
@teh_chucksta I look forward to hearing more regarding your thoughts on the Nova cables. I have been considering them myself. |
@mesch The Novas are warm, clean & full with lots of detail (the characteristics I wanted). p.s. these cables are a great match with the new “Moonage Daydream” soundtrack. |
SPEAKER CABLES …. From Alan Shaw (owner and designer of HARBETH) ” … So, the moral of the story is this: the most important factor of the loudspeaker cable that you should select is the amount of metal in the cable core. More metal means lower resistance. If the core is round (as most are) then the correlation is simple: the fatter the diameter of the metal core the better because the electrical resistance between amp and speaker will be lower. Thin and really thin cores should be avoided regardless of how exotic the metal material is claimed as the lack of metal in the core conductor will increase resistance. That will reduce amplifier damping, effect the frequency response of the speaker and give unpredictable results that will vary from amp/speaker combination. MY TAKE: I upgraded from an all-NORDOST FREY array (that’s all of IC, Power, and Speaker ) to an all-CARDAS CLEAR / CLEAR REFERENCE array. the new loom presented an upgraded performance in presence, dynamics, and slam that was not subtle, in my system, |
@teh_chucksta I am glad to hear you find your system so satisfying. A good place to be in. I agree that room treatmen is the next step. Makes a huge difference and can be made DIY. Look up room treatment on this site. Much info herein. |
I’ve used many cables up to 5K and what I can say from experience is how any of them would sound in your system is a crap shot, because any given type of power supply will react differently to any power cord or speaker cable as well as internets and the runs in feet, XLR or RCA. This is why a much cheaper but well-made cable in one’s system could sound better than the much more expensive cables. There is no doubt cables impact one’s system but how is the road bump, like modifications on gear you never know if you will like it until you put it back into your system. Cables matter but you might not have to spend as much money as you think, you are paying dearly for the bling more than the cable inside whereas a cable with less bling might look inferior but might sound as good if not better. A speaker cables should not cost as much as a piece of gear or a car. That is common sense in the end we are talking wire and connections. Better money would be better spent on room acoustics and investing in the room, and speaker's setup. |
@phillyb Agreed, and well-stated. I’m happy with my gear and lately have been toying around with reflection points & speaker placement…the impact has been profound! By simply moving the speakers further apart, and closer to the side walls, I’ve discovered much, much better soundstage. The music simply fills the room, as if I’m in a cathedral. |
I would look at the best Kubala Sosna cables used you can afford. Yes, @cakyol can save you a boat load of money. Or you can be happy with smooth sweet full sounding cables. (Rain or not) :) We all spend for what we appreciate. |
