2. cables
  3. 132802-106381

Newbie here with a cable question

Hello all. For a couple years now I have been piecing together a McIntosh system and am ready to hook it up but I have no idea what cables I will need. I know it’s a broad question but, could someone tell me what I will need and what brand. Don’t want to break the bank but I still want high quality. ANY help, advice would be most helpful. I would just like to buy it and tuck it away for when I am ready to set it up. Here is my system:

Avid Acutus Turntable
McIntosh MC 275 IV tube amp
McIntosh C2200 tube pre amp
Mcintosh MCD 550 cd player

(still need to get speakers...thinking Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL)
(also was told I should get a power system like Furman but no idea on this)

Thank you in advance guys, and again....I would appreciate ANY advice, model, brand you will give me.
My hope is to just make a list out of what you all tell me and just go buy it so I am all set when I am ready to hook everything up. Happy Holidays people.

Chuck
fishisgod
williewonka
3,067 posts
 
@fishisgod - I'm of the other camp - i.e. despite what audio manufacturers state - I believe cables do make a difference to any system.

However - when starting out you first need to become familiar with the components you have.

The one piece of power related gear I would highjly recommend at this stage is the Furutech  e-TP609 NCF power distribution bar for your components and plug the main amp into the wall outlet.

Some nice cables that are reasonably priced come from Signal Cable - their Silver Resolution cables are very nice performers for the price

If you feel the need for better perofrming cables I can highly recommend KLE Innovations cables - they offer extremely high levels of resolution and are very adept at creating one of the best images I have experienced

If you are into DIY take a look at these
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-power-cable.html
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-interconnect-cable.html
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-speaker-cable.html

They are also very adept at creating a holographic 3D image.

For more details take a read of these links
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-002ayou-need-a-good-power-supply.html
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-002ayou-need-good-power-cords.html

Hope that's not too overwhelming - Steve

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,055 posts
 
+1, Signal Cable Silver IC’s and Speaker cables. Affordable and high performance cables, comes with 30 days home audition.

Pro Audio cables are designed for pro audio components not high end components. Will they work with high end, of course they do. 

At the end of the day, try few cables and trust your own ears not specs. 


elevick
2,636 posts
 
Personally, I love Nordost Blue Heaven.  Not too expensive and they do help.
FYI-nice system.  I'd never plug it in without a power conditioner or surge protector of some sort of quality.  No way I'd use a $15 power strip!
tablejockey
3,772 posts
 
You’ve been warned by the first couple of posts...

Fine gear you have there. Whatever speakers you hook up to them, its like real estate value-location,location and location.

If you look at the virtual system pics, lots of nice gear, but some questionable speaker/room setup. Once you put nice gear in a living situation, like most of us, game over. Nothing but compromise, then we start going crazy with cable madness,tweaks, etc.

That being said, I find AC regen(PS Power Plant) and complete Nordost Heimdall II plumbing gives my modest system a little boost. Naturally, this is just MY system-YMMV.

Ancillary gear purchased here, on Agon for a fraction of retail. Otherwise, Id be using the supplied power cords and zip cord from Home Depot.


fishisgod OP
4 posts
 
Wow guys... thank you, thank you, thank you for all the info.  I have a bit of research to do.  All of you provided a wealth of info. I am pretty much in the same camp as Williewonka.  Now I just have finalize an exact list of what I need to get.  Feel free to offer any additional suggesting...ie...models and thank you again for making it a little bit easier to understand
More to discover