Speaker Cable for Tube SET System?


I would like some (tried and true) recommendations for speaker cable. My concern other than overall sound is bass control (damping and what effects it, if this is a part of the wire puzzle). The system is: Audion Silver Night 300B stereo version (7.5 watts), Reynaud Twin speakers, CAL Icon MKII with Bel Canto DAC, Mapleshade Digital IC, Homegrown Super Silver analog IC, BMI Whale PC's and two Monster HTS2000 power conditioners. The only two cables that I am considering at this time are: the Mapleshade Single or Double Helix and Analysis Plus Oval 12. I can get by with 10 ft runs, but would prefer to have 12 footers to cover any future reconfigurations (or to use them in a second system as time goes by) and would like to keep the cost at $300 and under. I am currently using Kimber 4VS and would like a more natural sound than they seem to offer in this setup, plus bass control as mentioned before. I will probably only audition two to three cables at the most and or buy and then sell used if I hear no improvement. Thanks.
128x128dekay

Showing 3 responses by psychicanimal

Hello Dekay,

May I refer you to this source?

Steve Decker/Zen SET amps (www.decware.com)

You will get a straight,honest, non Voodoo answer...
Dekay, I have spoken personally with Steve. He knows his audio inside out. Talk to him. The only wire he sells is his silver plated copper interconnects, but he'll gladly tell you what works best for SETs. The only reason I did not buy them is because I live in Chicago Metro (nasty!) and they are unshielded. I chose Phoenix Gold instead.

As for sales, Steve is a renegade and does not care much for advertising, reviewers or the Voodoo. Which means I will drive to Peoria and buy his preamp sometime in the future. Says it compares to ANYTHING AT ANY PRICE. Cost? $895. Bueno.
Call Steve, he's a cool guy...also, there are audio forums on the Decware website where you can address your questions to the people who use Zens and similar equipment. As far as I know, RF is not too much of a problem in speaker wires because although the wire acts as an antenna, it does not get amplified (don't quote me). I've read some good reviews on devices to treat the speaker wire before it enters the loudspeaker, but am completely ignorant about the subject.

I have been thinking of making my own 'Psychic' speaker wire. E-mail me and I'll let you know what's on my mind...I dont want to get attacked because I want to save money and am creative...look what happened when I said I own a Technics SL-1200MK2 and am modifying it!