Please help with interconnects


I've never been much of a cable guy, because to be honest IU've never been able to tell a big difference in my system. However, recently I've upgraded my pre-amp/procesor, CDP, and speakers and now have better resolution then ever before so cables may have a bigger impact.

I just bought a Naim CD5i and the first thing I want to do is get a good IC from this unit to my Arcam AVP-700 (run in analog direct mode). I'm currently using a pair of old Tara Labs Space and Time Phase II and Outlaw audio cable from my Pre-processor to Outlaw Model-755 amp.

Eventually I would like to get a good match from CDP to Pre to amp, but this is where I want to start. BTW, I'm running Monster M1.2S speaker wire (bi-wired), so I'll be looking for recommendations here as well.

As I said, I've not been into wires so I know little about them, so I'm hoping to get some help from those of you who do.

Not looking to spend more than $150 a pair. Can I get something decent at this price?

Also, what's the deal with silver? Is it that much better?

Thanks.
jack_dotson

Showing 5 responses by jack_dotson

Your rite on the money about the different sound of the different materials. This matches my experience. Fortunately I've finally found a combination that works in my system and my cable hunt is over until I change equipment again. I've settled with Chord Chrysalis IC's from CDP to Pre to Power and the Goertz MI2 speaker cable.

Finally nailed the sound I was looking for. Not sure if this is good or bad, now I'll just have to find some good websites that can turn me on to some new and interesting music.

Thanks everybody for you help and responses, I really appreciate it.

Now, if I can just save up for the Ushers. :-)
Thanks very much to everyone for your suggestions and help. Since I have a Naim CD5i as my source I also emailed them for their recommendations and asked if it would make a difference whether I used a DIN to RCA vice RCA to RCA. This was their resonse:

"The DIN connector features contacts with a smaller surface area than your typical RCA phono connector. As such, it provides better musical performance inasmuch as the impedance of the connector better matches the impedance of the interconnect cable."

I ran across a good deal on a couple of DIN to RCA IC's here on AG (Nordost Blue Heaven and Chord Cobra) so this helped me make a decision. A few of you recommended the Nordost BH and on the Naim forum many recommend the Chord IC's. The seller had both for a fair price so I picked them up. Figure I'll keep the one I like the best and put the other back on AG.

Anyhow this is my first step. This will be the IC from my source to pre-amp and for the time being I'll continue to use my Outlaw IC's from pre to power. I don't know how this mix match of cables is going to work, we'll have to see. If I really like one of these I'll probably buy another set of the same.

Speaker cables will have to come last, but I've just about decided I'm gong to give the Alpha-Core Goertz MI2 a try. I've been reading allot about cables since my original post and these seem to come up time and again. Look to be very similar to Nordost cables?

You guys have been very helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to help me find the right cables. I'll you know how this first change turns out.
I put the Nordost Blue Heaven and Chord Cobra cables through some serious testing this past week and the end result is that both are for sale on AG.

To my ears neither sounded as good in my system as the Outlaw's I was was using. I was really surprised at how different each cable sounded; a real eye opener.

None of these cables sounded bad, and all of them were actually quite good, but just different. It boils down to a matter of prefrence.

The Nordost was easily with most detailed of the group with better space around the instruments, but an overall leaner sound and a flatter soundstage then the Outlaws. The Bass was more refined, but not as extended. Actually, it was probably more accurate and in the bass region I'm not at all sure I didn't like the Nordost the best.

The Cobra actually sounded similar to the Outlaw except it was just too soft and I felt something was lacking. Would probably be a great interconnect in a bright system.

Anyhow, I put these two back up for sale and will continue on, but for now the Outlaw is my favorite. Just more musical, balanced and natural sounding. I should mention that I also have the Outlaw cables between my pre and power so maybe the synergy was better? If I had all Cobra or all Nordost might have been a different story, don't know.

A couple of you mentioned the Vampire IC's and looking at the reviews these actually look to be very similar to the Outlaw cables. Have any idea what the differences might be?

I also would like to try some cable using the Eichman connectors. These have sparked my interest and many of you seem to really like them. The outlaw has some really beefy locking connectors, but they're difficult to deal with. Any of you tried connecting the Eichman's to an existing pair of cables? Maybe try a set of these connectors on the Outlaws?
You guys are going to think I'm crazy and apparently your going to have to take my findings with a grain of salt.

I pulled the Nordost out of my system today preparing for a sale and put the Outlaws back in and found I had completely changed my mind about the Nordost. I guess at first I was used to the smooth sound of Outlaws and found the Nordost a bit hard, but after living with them for over a week I guess I have grown used to them and learned to appreciate just what they do.

Quite simply the realism was gone. The texture of the instruments and vocals now seem too soft and down right inaccurate with the Outlaws after living with the Nordost for awhile. Also, the bass just doesn't have the detail and accuracy.

I wasn't going to say anything for fear of looking like a total flake. But, I started this thread and used you folks time and recommendations so I felt I should follow through.

Embarassed, but keeping the Nordost. I've been converted in a big way. Now I'm going to the next step and will get a set of Blue Heaven's to go between my pre/power to see how that works out.
Still not sure I'm 100% through with my IC 's, but I've found a keeper speaker cable. Thanks much to those of you who recommended the Alfa Core Goertz M1-2's. Put them in my system this past week and am very pleased with the results.

I got a nearly unanamous recommendation on the Naim forum for the Chord Chameleon IC's. Five pin din to rca type. They feel this cable is a really good fit with Naim CDP's so I bought a set and put them in and they are very good indeed. Best I've had so far.

I bought a second set and put them between my pre and power and overall I'm very happy. However, I'm going to continue experimenting with the cable between my pre/power just to see if I find something that happens to work better. You know how it goes, I have to have something to tinker with/ :-)

I would still like to have my piano's and horns to have more weigh, but this also may require a differnt amp? What is your feelings on this?

Thanks again for your help.