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strange rel subwoofer cable phenomenon

I've been using a Rel Storm III sub hooked up both ways (sunfire theatre grand II to the rel for .1 and bryston amp to the rel for 2-channel). I've been using a cheap interconnect for the .1 track (Ultralink Subsonix) and decided to give some higher end cables a try. The Cable Company sent me some Synergistic Research interconnects (one at $350 and one at $550). I like the brand and have the Kaleidoscope Phase II DAC-Pre and Pre-Amp after extensive testing. However, in this application I literally could not hear a difference between any of the 3. I heard only a tiny degradation when I tried the thin plastic cables that come with most popular-brand equipment. Is there something wrong with my ears or is this sub cable-proof? Anyone else out there found this to be true? I've been told that both XLO and Synergistic make neutrik connectors that will make a huge difference for the Rel, but now I'm not so sure...
dbw1
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hammy
176 posts
 
I don't think it much matters if you can't hear the difference. Isn't that the ultimate test? I trust your judgement more than my experience- after all, your ears are in the room. One caveat- don't listen to those who say cables don't matter. They do. Luckily my wife has great ears and can hear the difference too. When I upgraded to Siltech she heard a big difference. The previous upgrade to Synergistic Research had been a big disappointment. A lot has to do with your gear. One nice thing about Audiogon, is that you can try a lot of things cheaply.
hrcapers
65 posts
 
I bought a cheap cable from Best Buy for my Stadium IIIs and replaced my Cardas Hexlink with it. I didn't hear any difference in the sub. Sold the Hexlink and pocketed the difference. On the other hand, I went from Cardas NR to Nirvana X-S between my preamp and amps and noticed a large difference.
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hammy
176 posts
 
Oh yeah- I meant the cable upgrade from cd to pre-amp and pre-amp to amp made a difference ( I upgrade both pairs at once). My speakers have a built in sub, so I don't use one.
swanand
4 posts
 
I have replaced my Rel Neutrik cable with Signal Neutrik Cables and found out that the Rel is sounding much deeper. Try them. There is money back gurantee.
keith_316
18 posts
 
I myself have a Rel Stadium III sub, I have hooked it up both ways, and did not notice a ton of difference from interconnect to interconnect, however I have "built" my own neutirk connector, and noticed more refinement and clarity. I used teflon coated wire (silver plated copper) of 18 gauge, made the over all connector lentgh the exact same as my speaker cables, and I put some banna plugs on the ends that connect to the back of my amp, and swapped the neutrik off of Rel's cable and put it on mine. The wholel project cost me 25 to 30 bucks worth of parts, and it was worth it in my opinion, not to mention it was also fun. And like I said, as far as interconnects go, I have had el'cheapo's hooked up, and I also tried a set of transparent cables for grins and giggles, didn't really notice enough difference to warrant the hundreds extra that needed to be spent. If you would like some instructions on how to make your own neutrik feel free to email me and I can send you a parts list and easy to follow steps. Have a good one.
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