Interconnect Suggestions for HeadRoom Max

[Magic77]

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

When I owned the Max the 3 pair of interconnects that stood out for my tastes in my rig were the following:

Harmonic Technology Truth-Link - This was with the filter in the bright position, and no crossfeed.

Kimber Silver Streak - No crossfeed, filter turned off.

Kimber Select KS-1030 - No crossfeed, filter turned off.

This certainly doesn't mean they will work for you though.

[HD-5000]

Dude, nobody's intentionally ignoring you. You didn't have to edit your original message.

[dparrish]

It would help us if you were to tell us what source you're using the Max with, as wel as headphones. As always, interconnects are dependent on the total system, as well as your own preferences.

Help us out, and we'll be glad to give you some suggestions!

David

[Vertigo-1]

LOL, ignored once again? I think you're being a little hasty, cable questions by far exhibit the most obscure replies because not everybody has wide experiences with tons of cables with the specific gear you happen to be asking about to make useful comparative replies. Sometimes you may get very little replies period because of this. Look at my Zcable thread if you need an example.

Anyways, you can look at Cardas Neutral References, Tara Labs Air 1, and Zu Varial for starters. All are between $200-300. I haven't heard any of them with the Max, but these are all reputable cables at that price range. Realize though that what dparrish is quite right...cables can be extremely system dependent, don't be surprised if you end up with several cables to figure out which one works best for you. As always, research, research, and when you think you're ready to buy, research again. Far too often people react on direct suggestions instead of research.

One interesting trend I've noticed is people that get one cable due to word of mouth or otherwise, assume the cable is "good", drop it into their system, and live happily ever after...or try to. As far as I've heard, that is not how cable selecting works! I say "try to" because subtle nuances (or huge sometimes) between cables is directly responsible for long term enjoyment of my system, in my experience. If you have the wrong cable for your system, you may very well just keep feeling as if something is wrong with what you hear, even though you plainly like the much more dominating signature sound of your source, or amp, or 'phones, etc.

[Zanth]

Please resubmit your initial question. A thread without a body to the topic is useless and apt to get deleted.

[carlo]

Tara Labs Air 3 is very good, places a nice big soundstage that mates well with the Max's solid bass foundations. The Max can do very cool things when it comes to double bass, look for an interconnect that has the seperation but with a focus on soundstage when playing with cables. Of course, as most know that points to the Neutral Reference as well.

A hard linear cable -- such as the Nordost Quattro Fil -- loses the Max's ease of presentation (imo its best attribute) and I don't recommend using one to compensate for any frequency limitations. A better way to focus on linearity up top is power stuff; a good cord connected to a good conditioner or regenerator does wonders for the amp. Assuming you're experiencing the same roll off and softness issues that kelly and I had... if you aren't then nevermind

[Magic77]

Sorry Everyone. I guess I was just having one of my "impatient" and "frustrating" days!!

I've been using 2 different cables: DiMarzio High-Definition and Vampire Wire CCC-II. Actually I really like the Vampire's, but I'm not crazy about the DiMarzio's.

Right now, I'm using 2 inexpensive sources, but very good ones in my opinion: Sony DVP-NS500V and a Technics SL-PG4 CD player. I'd like to upgrade my CD players, but can not afford it right now.

I did speak to someone at Cardas Audio, and they suggested either their MicroTwin 300B or Quadlink Cables. The Quadlink seems to be a bit steep in price for me right now, but I may go with the MicroTwin 300B.

[morphsci]

Just a suggestion. You may want to try and buy used on Audiogon. I have used this method very successfully and have never really lost much money on resale if I did not like the sound. Of course YMMV.

The cables I am using right now in various places includes Harmonic Tech Truthlinks and Homegrown Audio Silver Laces as well as a couple of older Straightwire cables, Encore and Flexconnect, I believe. None of these werte on a Max but my sources did include an NS500V. Good luck on your search.

[Magic77]

Originally posted by morphsci
Just a suggestion. You may want to try and buy used on Audiogon. I have used this method very successfully and have never really lost much money on resale if I did not like the sound. Of course YMMV.

The cables I am using right now in various places includes Harmonic Tech Truthlinks and Homegrown Audio Silver Laces as well as a couple of older Straightwire cables, Encore and Flexconnect, I believe. None of these werte on a Max but my sources did include an NS500V. Good luck on your search.

Thanks. The "Interconnect Thing" has always driven me absolutely nuts!! I have tried other brands in the past, but that was before I had the Max.

I think the Max sounds great to me now; but at least I can upgrade around it and things can only get better.

[TimSchirmer]

I've always been a big fan of tributaries cables, you might want to try some of their high end offerings.

I'd also email someone from headroom and ask them for interconnect suggestions.

[dparrish]

Magic77,

What heaphones are you using?

David

I second the motion for Audiogon. If you know what you're looking for and are patient, you can get much better for the same amount of money.

For example, my first pair of Kimber Select 1011s cost me $450 for a 1 meter pair, bought new from a dealer. I've since gotten a couple of pair from Audiogon for half the price.

[dhwilkin]

Sometimes a pair of Luminous Audio Synchestra Signature will show up on Audiogon for around $200. That's how I got my pair, and it works very well in my system.