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Cables: Chord Signature, Audioquest Rocket 88 or MIT AVt 1?

post #1 of 6
6/7/10 at 6:35am
Thread Starter 

Hello to all,

 

Being a reader on this forum for a really long time (haven't posted pretty much anything though), I know that it's primarily about headphones, but I also know that there are really experienced people in here that (hopefully) might be able to give me a hand

I am now finishing my living room set up, which currently consists of KEF's XQ40 loudspeakers, Marantz's PM-11S2 integrated amplifier, Panamax's M5400 mains conditioner, Cambridge Audio's DacMagic (soon to be replaced by Electrocompaniet's ECD-1), Marantz's BD7004 and a computer. I also intend to buy Marantz's SA-15S2 to be used as a transport for the ECD-1, although this won't be any time soon. The cables that I have aren't on par with the rest of the system, and as I'll be in England in July, I intend to buy decent cables there, as audio equipment's extremely expensive here in Brazil.

I have already decided which interconnects and power cables I'll have, and I would really appreciate if I could have your opinions on which speaker cables to buy.

Also, if that's important, I listen to a wide variety of genres, from classical to jazz, from electronic to heavy metal and so on. No hip hop for me though hahaha! I want a sound that's warm and non fatiguing but also transparent, well defined, full bodied and correct. Soundstage is also a priority. Note that, at this moment, I find the system to be a bit overly bright sometimes and to lack body to the bass. I cannot point at what in the system causes that (should be either the source, the cables or the romm's acoustics), but if possible I would like the cables to correct those problems and tailor the sound so as to make it more rounded, so to speak. Don't know if I'm asking too much, but anyway.

I have already posted this on two forums, but the answers are, as expected, quite different, therefore I would really like to have as many opinions as I possibly can, so that I'll be able to make a better judgement about my options. They currently are, as in the title, Chord's Signature, Audioquest's Rocket 88 and MIT's AVt 1.

What do you guys think? Which one of those would better suit my system and my tastes? I'm opened to any new suggestions, so if you guys have one, I'll really appreciate that.

Thank you very much in advance!

Leo

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post #2 of 6
6/9/10 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 

Anyone?

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post #3 of 6
6/11/10 at 1:50pm

 

Dude I’d look into upgrading your source more than anything if I were you. If you choose to go PC I’d avoid using a usb cable at all cost, but use a usb interface (something like HiFace, for example), and a digital cable instead.
 
I've never heard the KEF's XQ40 so I can’t recommend any of those cables. you need to find out what sound signature the KEF’s have - whether they’re bright, forward, laidback, etc. - then choose the cables accordingly. it's vital you do that. It’s all about system synergy (weather is cables, source, etc.). search for reviews, comments of other users of those cables, and others. lots of info to be found if you look into it. you could also send your system details to The Cable Company, and they will recommend you some cables according to their database of users with systems similar to yours, but I wouldn’t take it as gospel. Then take a chance.
 
Here’s is another couple of cable you may wanna look into: Silencable.com | Synergisticresearch.com
 
Have you been in England before? I’d be surprised if hi-fi gear are less expensive there than Brazil. I’d advice against buying english products – it’s mostly marketing hype bs, way overpriced, and 95% of the time don’t work properly (believe me I speak from personal experience). check the labels, if it says “Made in GB”, move on. You can get much better quality stuff that work for the same amount of money 
 
Good luck
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post #4 of 6
6/13/10 at 4:06pm
Thread Starter 

Lenni, first of all, thank you for the reply!

I do realize that my source is the biggest problem, because it's really not on par with the rest of the system. The only problem is that I intended to buy the cables while travelling, but maybe I shouldn't... do you really think its best for me to upgrade my source first to then find out which cables will suit me best? Even though I haven't had a chance to test it with different equipment, as far as I know (from what I hear and read), the KEF's are quite forward sounding and a bit shouty sometimes. They're on the analytical side as well. That's also why I got the Marantz, they're quite laid back; same with the ECD-1, and the opposite of the DacMagic.

I'm definitely going to buy MTech's HiFace, judging from what I've read it's a bargain and a must-have accessory if you use the PC as a source, just like you said.

Also, thank you so much for the websites (I had never heard of The Cable Company, I'll post something on there right now) and for your opinion, they are really important to me!

I did go to England quite a few times (I've actually lived there for two years) and believe me, it's WAY cheaper than in Brazil! Audio equipment in here is just unbelieavably expensive. To give you an idea, I got my Dali Concept 2s in the UK for the equivalent of 360 dollars, and in here they cost the equivalent of 1550 dollars (that's not a typing mistake, they really cost 1550 dollars) in the official distributor. Same for the Marantz, they go for 4800 dollars in the UK and for 9000 dollars in here. Electronics here are on a different planet, believe me. Same for a lot of things, like cars. While in the US people pay $40.000 for an Audi Q7, in here they cost $155.000. Also, there are some really messed up ones, like the Ferrari F430: they cost $170.000 there, and in here, wait for it... $830.000.

But still, I'll definitely consider all that you've said! Maybe it's best to buy the DAC first and then buy the cables in some other travel. Do you think that doing this is much better than getting the cables now?

Once again, thank you so much!

Leo

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post #5 of 6
6/14/10 at 4:39pm

Not necessarily; the Dacmagic is a pretty good DAC anyway, of course there are better ones, but at least x3 the cost.  the point is if you buy the DAC first, then you can try the cables with it, but it’s not that important. personally (and this is my opinion) I’d buy cables first if I were you. to find the right ones is not gonna be an easy ride. buying expensive ones doesn’t always guarantee satisfaction. it’s a bit like playing the lottery. I suggest that you search Audigon and read, read, read , and ask for advice there too; there are some good people there with years of experience in high-end audio.


Based on the sound’s description of your speakers i think the Audio Metallurgy GA-0 should match well with your speakers (definitely worth a try, I'm still waiting for the silver ones)). It sells on Audigon at auctions, and can be won at far less the retail price. You could bid on a pair of those interconnects, and if your happy with the result, then you may extend to the speaker cables too. Otherwise you can always return them.

Another not too expensive good quality speaker cable I like is the Alphe-core Goertz MI2

 

Why do buy stuff when travelling? Is it expensive to receive mail too? How are you gonna buy cables in England? Directly in shops, or sent by mail? I definitely advice against buying cheap cables made in England  - might as well use coat hangers.

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post #6 of 6
6/15/10 at 10:43am
Thread Starter 

I really do like the DacMagic in my room's system, I think that out of luck I got a pretty good synergy out of the equipment here hahahaha it's got a really balanced and enjoyable sound. Doesn't do miracles obviously, but it's way more than enough for a bedroom.

A good thing just happened, some unexpected money became available and I ordered the ECD-1, but I think I'll still be able to buy the cables when I'm in the UK or, as you suggested, via Audiogon if it's a good option. Oh, and I'll also try and post something there too! This Audio Metallurgy seems really interesting, and as you sad, based on the Stereophile review, it really suits my needs. Thank you again for your valued suggestion, also for the speaker cable! I had never heard of that company, but they do seem to get some pretty good reviews.

Sadly it is also quite a hassle to get anything by mail... unless I ask for the seller to declare a value lower than 50 dollars I'll have to pay 60% over the total price (+ shipping cause customs people are useless here, they usually know little English and can't read that there's the product price and the shipping price, distinct from each other in the package). Also, there are so many cases products that got stuck there because for some random reason they suspected that the declared value wasn't the actual one. When such a thing happens it's pretty much a lost cause, because it will take A LOT to convince them. That's why I prefer to get them when travelling, saves me money and I don't get unnecessarily worried. So I intended to get cables through the internet. But still, I'll think twice before getting anything there. I do like the idea of getting used cables on Audiogon, seems like a good deal. Plus, If I can get them to ship to England while I'm there... it's done!

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