Interconnect (RCA) needed for HK AVR 525/Adcom GFA-545/Magnepan MMG system- recommendations please

I recently bought a used pair of Magnepan MMG speakers (still waiting on delivery- so I haven't had a chance to try them yet), and also picked up a used Adcom GFA-545 power amp to drive them.  Now I'm in need of a decent set of rca cables to connect my Harman Kardon AVR525 receiver (which I'll be using as a pre-amp) to the Adcom amp.  I have a set of Blue Jean Cable (BJC LC-1) that seem pretty good, but I'll need to use those elsewhere anyway, thus I need a set of cables.  I'm thinking the budget's around $50 or less (if possible), but I'd consider as much as $75 to $100 if there was a significant improvement in quality.  Also, I'm perfectly happy buying used gear.  I know that opinions vary widely on whether cables make any difference at all, but I'm looking for something that would provide good synergy with the equipment I mention above & won't be the weak link in the chain, so to speak.  Your opinion/advice is welcome & appreciated.

Thanks!

Thanks- I may try this route if indeed they will allow me to audition the cables.  I'm curious about what used interconnects I may be able to find on Audiogon, etc. within my price range as well.  From what I've read, many of the cables in the under $100 range provide very similar quality with not much noticeable improvement as you go up in $$, with real quality improvements only being noticeable when you move up to cables costing around $100 or so...all this based upon what I've read here & there which may bear no likeness to reality .  I've also read that Magnepan MMG, while being a relatively inexpensive speaker, scales very noticeably when used with higher-end gear (DACs, cables, etc.), which is why I'm even giving the cable choice so much consideration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Camper 

You are using Cardas in other parts of your system, why not start there.

Well, based on what I can see on Audiogon, the Cardas ICs are not to be had for less than $100

BTW- The Cardas Senn headphone cable was something that I picked up at an incredible bargain as it was included free with some used HD650s that I bought for $220.

Looking around various forums, it seems that Kimber Kable interconnects are a good performer & they include some models in my price range.  I'm particularly interested in the Kimber Timbre ICs, which can be found at ~$100 with shipping.  Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have the time to comparison shop/audition the ICs (though that would be the ideal approach: letting MY ears be the judge).  I'm hoping someone has had some experience with gear similar to mine & can offer up recommendations re: the Kimber Timbre or other ICs in my price range of <$100.  I'm also curious if anyone has done a direct comparison between Kimber & Blue Jean cables (since Blue Jean LC-1 are what I have experience with).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdr. Seraphim 

Personally, I'd just get whatever you can get your hands on and plug, play, and enjoy the music. 

So, do you subscribe to the theory that the cheapest cables are just as good as the big $$$ cables?  Just curious...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdr. Seraphim 

I believe cables can make a difference. However, you are better off making changes elsewhere in you system ahead of cables upgrades. If you have the money and wanna give it a go, let us know what you discover. 

OK - I see your point.  Though I am pretty inexperienced with mid to high-end audio, I understand the concept of the audio equipment as a system- the quality of the music (output) being affected (to some extent) by all points within the equipment chain.  I've heard that, among all components in this chain, cables are probably the least impactful & should therefore be the last place you spend serious money to improve your system.  What's tempting (to me at least) is the prospect of making ANY improvement to my system for less than $100.  I'm not sure that I could find any other component at that price that would improve my system (though I welcome any advice to the contrary).  The question, perhaps, should be: Is it better to spend $100 now for a cable upgrade or spend $15 now for a basic interconnect & save $85 for future upgrades to my DAC, amp, etc.?  I'm probably not going to be spending $1,000 on audio equipment any time soon , however, if there were some upgrade that I KNEW would offer noticeable improvement to my system for, say $200-300, then saving up would be a no-brainer.  If, on the other hand, I needed to spend $500 (or more) to achieve any noticeable improvement, then...well, the choice becomes more difficult for me.  As always, I welcome further advice regarding equipment upgrades- from my time on Head-Fi, I've learned that there is much audio wisdom & experience among the members here, such that I could never reasonable hope to achieve on my own.  My goal remains: To build the best possible 2-channel system (with the Maggies as the cornerstone) for the least amount of $$ possible, while striving for the sweet spot where further upgrades (within reasonable $$ constraints) would only provide diminishing returns.  Granted...opinions regarding the definitions of "best possible 2-channel system", "least amount of $$ possible", "sweet spot", and "reasonable $$ constraints" will vary greatly .
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdr. Seraphim 

 

...So, go clean a few connections. You should notice that your q-Tips get dirty fast. Even if you don't hear a difference, it'll be good to ensure your connections are solid. 

 

OK- Thanks for the advice.  That's certainly worth a shot & could only help my gear.  I especially like the cost...$15 = my kind of tweak .