[RockinCannoisseur]

i wanted to try out some reasonably priced interconnects, after some searching ive come across:

XLO
XLO HTP1 RCA Audio Cable Interconnect 1m - eBay (item 130351039323 end time Dec-16-09 21:00:14 PST)

King Cobra
A Pair 1m AudioQuest King Cobra interconnect RCA cable - eBay (item 390128399860 end time Dec-17-09 01:07:51 PST)

cardas


kimber- PBJ


VAN DEN HUL D102 MKIII HI-END INTERCONNECT CABLES 50CM
VAN DEN HUL D102 MKIII HI-END INTERCONNECT CABLES 50CM - eBay (item 260519457306 end time Dec-16-09 14:19:51 PST)

Wireworld Equinox 5 interconnect cable,
Wireworld Equinox 5 interconnect cable, 1m length - eBay (item 190358363238 end time Dec-18-09 02:35:42 PST)


KIMBER KABLE HERO 1 METER WBT0144 RCA


KIMBER KABLE HERO 1 METER WBT0144 RCA - eBay (item 130352494180 end time Dec-21-09 22:27:37 PST)


Tara Labs Vector 2 RCA Audio

German Yarbo Silver Interconnect Audiophile CD Cable - eBay (item 290369327422 end time Jan-10-10 17:46:22 PST)


Vampire Wire DI/1 1m cast copper digital interconnect

Vampire Wire DI/1 1m cast copper digital interconnect - eBay (item 280381184134 end time Jan-01-10 07:20:29 PST)

True Line Audio RCA .5m Solid Core Interconnects Cardas

True Line Audio RCA .75m Interconnects Furutech Cardas - eBay (item 270499683646 end time Jan-09-10 19:56:18 PST)

STREETWIRES ZN7660 ZN7 6-CHANNEL INTERCONNECT CABLE
STREETWIRES ZN7660 ZN7 6-CHANNEL INTERCONNECT CABLE - eBay (item 360178874643 end time Jan-07-10 14:23:59 PST)

German Yarbo Silver Interconnect Audiophile CD Cable

German Yarbo Silver Interconnect Audiophile CD Cable - eBay (item 290369327422 end time Jan-10-10 17:46:22 PST)

Silver OFC Interlink Analog Audio Interconnect CD Cable
Silver OFC Interlink Analog Audio Interconnect CD Cable - eBay (item 230410317524 end time Dec-16-09 09:32:03 PST)

Vampire Wire DI/1 1m cast copper digital interconnect
Vampire Wire DI/1 1m cast copper digital interconnect - eBay (item 280381184134 end time Jan-01-10 07:20:29 PST)




thanks - so which do u find to be the best quality, or the best value, or both,, and what is plain crap and counterfeit?


id also like to know if a high grade usb to usb mini will improve the sq on my portable usb dac?
i bought a nice lookin usb to usb mini with gold plugs from radio shack, doesnt sound as goood as id of thought but then again it may be my dac, and it also maybe the fact that i always compare usb to toslink, does usb always sound like crap compared to toslink?

im leaning toward some kimber pbj's or maybe the hero, but also may try the timber unless these arent worth the time.

thanks for your help

Tallyho!

 

[anetode]

Crap: the True Line cables with the enamel shielding. For that much money, they could afford some friggin' teflon. Also the 1.99 cable from hong kong, which is shiny but will fall apart in the long run.

Anything above that will be about equal.

Best value? Go to Monoprice.

Best quality? Pro-audio accessory suppliers, like eBay Store: Search results for PROFESSIONAL AUDIO CABLES AND SOLUTIONS.

 

[RockinCannoisseur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anetode /img/forum/go_quote.gif Crap: the True Line cables with the enamel shielding. For that much money, they could afford some friggin' teflon. Also the 1.99 cable from hong kong, which is shiny but will fall apart in the long run. Anything above that will be about equal. Best value? Go to Monoprice. Best quality? Pro-audio accessory suppliers, like eBay Store: Search results for PROFESSIONAL AUDIO CABLES AND SOLUTIONS.

thanks

so mogami are good cables?

what about the pbj kimbers or timbre

 

[Il Mostro]

How many IC's are you using in your system? If using several pairs I recommend staying within the same branch on same family tree (not necessarily the same exact IC's) throughout the chain. For example, I am using Audioquest Lapis, Emerald and Diamond as analog cables -- using IC with the most appropriate signature for a particular component. You've got a long list there, so try not to wind up with a mixed bag of IC's based only on perceived value. PBJ is a good performing and affordable option for multiple pairs -- still good bang for the buck, even more so now that you can find older, used ones. Mogami is utilitarian, and nothing special, but still works fine.

 

[ssheavy]

you may like to check out Nene Valley Audio's (NVA) soundcord i/c at ebay uk.

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anetode /img/forum/go_quote.gif Crap: the True Line cables with the enamel shielding. For that much money, they could afford some friggin' teflon.

What you're paying for is the Furutech RCA's.

se

 

[RockinCannoisseur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Mostro /img/forum/go_quote.gif How many IC's are you using in your system? If using several pairs I recommend staying within the same branch on same family tree (not necessarily the same exact IC's) throughout the chain. For example, I am using Audioquest Lapis, Emerald and Diamond as analog cables -- using IC with the most appropriate signature for a particular component. You've got a long list there, so try not to wind up with a mixed bag of IC's based only on perceived value. PBJ is a good performing and affordable option for multiple pairs -- still good bang for the buck, even more so now that you can find older, used ones. Mogami is utilitarian, and nothing special, but still works fine.

i always use toslink and then run preouts via rca to headamp but i may incorperate another preamp for eq,, but yea ill bet this effects sq .

whish i could find a used kimber hero or silver streak, any better price comparabel options

thanks

 

[Bmac]

+1 for the Mogami. There is a reason it's used in pro studios all over the place; it doesn't attenuate signals. If you aren't happy with your gear and need to shape the sound then different IC's that will attenuate signals may be what you need. If you just want good quality cable that will shine a light on the rest of your system, then Mogami is a good choice.

 

[tim3320070]

Bluejeans cables or Monoprice or whatever- you will not hear any difference I promise. Put money into hardware, not different flavors of OFC wires.

 

[RockinCannoisseur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim3320070 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Bluejeans cables or Monoprice or whatever- you will not hear any difference I promise. Put money into hardware, not different flavors of OFC wires.

so u dont think i could here the difference between say a kiimber hero or a silver plated copper ic?

 

[scootermafia]

Get something with OCC copper or silver. If you send an email to info@neotechcable.com you can get a price for the various models (including the delightful NEI1001 OCC silver cable that my buddy in China has been raving about). Their prices are extremely fair, I believe $240 shipped EMS or so for the NEI1003 (the step-down OCC silver one). I was going to buy them but I have CAST/ACSS cables only for interconnects and those had to be DIY'd by yours truly. I'm sure their OCC copper models are even more reasonably priced. I've worked a ton with Neotech products and they kick a lot of ass - they're the real deal. Their connectors are OCC copper/silver too . All of these "high purity copper" type cables in this price range are going to fail to impress.

 

[anetode]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockinCannoisseur /img/forum/go_quote.gif so u dont think i could here the difference between say a kiimber hero or a silver plated copper ic?

Not just you

 

[FraGGleR]

You must also be careful of some of those ebay auctions. I think audioquest is a popular brand to knock off. Either that, or I passed up on some deals that were AMAZING...

I used to be a monoprice purist, but they have switched to some ridiculously stiff shielding in their cables that make them useless for me, which sent me into the DIY arena where I am now as happy as a pig in poop. I build my own for the looks, ergonomics, fun, and I believe sound. My ears and my equipment are not that refined, and the discussions of does it matter have already been discussed in a multitude of threads, but I do believe there can be audible differences between cables. How far down the chain it goes, I cannot tell, but certainly you will never see me spending more than $100 on a cable unless that is how much the raw materials cost me.

Blue Jeans Cable uses high quality materials and are very fairly priced. Anything above that that you don't build yourself, you are paying for a lot of premium branding for perhaps very small step ups in quality.

 

[tim3320070]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockinCannoisseur /img/forum/go_quote.gif so u dont think i could here the difference between say a kiimber hero or a silver plated copper ic?

I have never heard a difference with any kind of cable (speaker, interconnect, power) but if you can find one used and cheap, try it and test for yourself. If it's no different than a Bluejeans cable or similar, the sell it for little or no loss.