Speaker cables - cables make a difference

@buellrider97 - I am a happy Morrow Audio customer with MA4 unbalanced interconnects and SP4 speaker cables in my system.  I also own MA4 balanced interconnects that I used with a previous DAC.  I recently tried a DIG3 cable in my systems and it was the first digital cable that I actually felt made a difference, but unfortunately it was a negative change.  I sent it back and was very pleased with the customer service.  I then tried an Iconoclast BAV SPDIF cable and found it to be the second digital cable that made a difference and it was positive.  I'd highly recommend that you try one, they can be sent back.

It's worth noting that Morrow Audio is very clear that they don't measure their cables and instead just listen while Iconoclast has science and engineering behind their cables.  The fact that Iconoclast only offers an SPDIF cable in their affordable BAV line tells me that they didn't see a need to develop a superior design.

@degalbraith77 - My experience is that you can hear a difference with cables in the $100-$200 range.  My system was outfitted with Blue Jeans Cables (10 AWG speaker cables, LC-1 RCA interconnects, and Digital Coax before I really started dabbling with cables.

I started with interconnects.  BJC LC-1 to Audioquest Chicago (heard a difference that I liked) to Audioquest Sydney (similar but better than the Chicago) to Morrow Audio MA4 balanced (moved to balanced and sounded better) to Morrow Audio MA4 unbalanced (to go with new DAC).

I've tried several digital cables.  BJC digital coax (two different ones with no difference) to Audioquest Cinnamon (no difference) to Morrow Audio DIG3 (sounded worse) to Iconoclast SPDIF (sounded better).

I've tried speaker cables.  BJC Ten White to Micca14 (sounded worse) to Morrow Audio SP4 (sounded better)

I've tried power cables.  I will just say that in my system I only only heard differences with my integrated amplifier and not much else.

I have only spent more than $200 on a couple of cables.  The choices are nearly infinite, so you have to figure out where you want to start.

I would recommend starting with analog interconnects.  If you catch a sale the MA4s are close to $200 and you can send them back.  Audioquest Evergreen would be another great entry point since they are just a more affordable variant of the Chicago that I had.

@lanx0003 , take a look at Pine Tree Audio cables. They have received positive reviews and are on the Most Wanted list for budget cables per Terry London in Stereophile magazine.                                                                                                       @mceljo , thanks for the advise I’ll take a look. FWIW my Morrow was a Digi 2 or 3, I can’t remember. It was an early edition model and they’ve changed. I had issues with my DAC/streamer set at high resolution, as it was grainy. Mike offered me an updated one for almost free , but I opted to go the 65% off to trade up. I went with the Digi 4 but in a balanced configuration. I’m setting up a large tube system to replace my low power single ended SEP tube system. I have level 4 power cords and level 4 single ended interconnects and speaker cables. I’m going to go level 6 speaker cables and level 6 balanced IC’s in the fall. Until then I’m intending to get some budget balanced cables from Pine Tree Audio. I have a pair of Rogue M-180’s and I’m not sure yet if they’ll be in the rack or on the floor so I’m uncertain on length. Cheers , Mike B. 

@richardbrand 

"Have you got any ferrite rings?  I am wondering what difference these might make placed around each end of a power cord."

It's already been done for you. Look inside your amp or preamp and at least one leg of the AC power cord has at least one turn through a ferrite ring or bead before the mains voltage enters the transformer. Feel along the cord that's powering your PC, laptop or whatever device you're typing on at the moment that isn't running on battery and you'll find a ferrite bead molded into the cord. Creates a bump in the impedance and resistance and filters out any RFI or EMI that the length of cord might have picked up. Any cord that is shielded be it twisted, braided, wrapped in foil or metal braid or is coaxial has higher capacitance, lower resistance and inductance. All power cords, ICs or Speaker cables incorporate these in one way or another. Litze, I believe is the most basic form and solid core is rarely used for countless other reasons.

@buellrider97  First, Terry is with Stereo Times, not Stereophile.  Second, take a serious look at the Micca 14. It outperforms my longtime favorites, AudioQuest solid-copper cables and of course Monoprice. While its treble isn’t quite as refined (a bit rolled off), everything else is almost on par with my Belden 5T00UP 10 AWG diy speaker cable. It has generated some serious hype on the forum.