MINI to RCA cable? Monster or Shellbrook or Other?

[Fardad]

I'm looking for the best possible mini<to<RCA cable out there for hooking up my Iriver's iHP-140 LineOut to my Headsave Classic for under $40.

I'm not sure if I should go with Silver or Copper wire and I don't want to overspend on a superior cable (greater than $40) if I'm not going to hear sonic differences based on my setup (Iriver to Classic). But if I will, please do tell me which cable.

Currently I am using a cheap $5 Y-cable from walmart.

I have been looking at the Monster Cable 400 MKII and the cables at ShellBrook Audio (I prefer a very short cable, like 1 foot in length).

Any suggestions?

Many thanks,...

 

[Ferbose]

Nowadays I am more and more inclined to getting professional audio cables.
Sonically better--I dunno, but only a bit more expensive than Wal-mart stuff. But better construction guarantees years of use. Most professional cables are not gold plated, because thin gold-plating can wear off easily. Target has some cheap GE cables--I can trust their quality as well. Radioshack is also OK, I think. Monster cable--I think they are overpriced.

 

[Cyrillic]

Make your own! Cheaper, not terribly hard, and fun.

 

[dshea_32665]

I would recommend a Zu Pivot. I asked the same question you did back in September and some people recommended the Pivot to me. I am really glad I took their advice! I really heard a difference right away using this cable. They have special promotional offers on eBay sometimes, you might try there.

dshea

 

[PATB]

Zu Pivot on Ebay. I won a 1M version last week for $28, plus $10 shipping cost. I don't have it yet so can't tell you how they sound like. But can't go wrong with $38 shipped.

 

[sbulack]

For under $40, I'd recommend a MagWire Original - do a search for Magwire on www.audiogon.com
Mini-to-RCA is not listed as a standard product listing, but an enquiry to James Hess for a quote on a Mini-to-RCA MagWire Original will give you what you need to order one.
My ear just prefers a copper IC to a silver one. To me, the sound is more three-dimensional spatially, and more balanced spectrally. The only advantage of silver, IMO, is its speed. Overall, given the trade-offs, I enjoy my music more through copper than through silver.
The Magwire Original is a copper magnet wire IC.

 

[Oddball]

Headphile has an excellent reputation here and relative to their cable quality, their prices are very competitive. I'm a satisfied consumer, there are dozens more at head-fi. The standard series cables come in silver or copper. I think you should consider them. www.headphile.com

 

[saint.panda]

If you already have a decent RCA cable and don't intend to use your setup portably, you could also consider getting a Mini-to-Rca adapter. I think Audioquest is making one of pretty good quality.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbulack For under $40, I'd recommend a MagWire Original - do a search for Magwire on www.audiogon.com Mini-to-RCA is not listed as a standard product listing, but an enquiry to James Hess for a quote on a Mini-to-RCA MagWire Original will give you what you need to order one. My ear just prefers a copper IC to a silver one. To me, the sound is more three-dimensional spatially, and more balanced spectrally. The only advantage of silver, IMO, is its speed. Overall, given the trade-offs, I enjoy my music more through copper than through silver. The Magwire Original is a copper magnet wire IC.

i second this idea. this is where mine came from and it hasn't let me down at 4 meets so far - and counting.

 

[Fardad]

Thank you all for your suggestions! These suggestions are great. I'm going to check out the links posted right now and will get back to you when I have made the purchase.

I think I will go with Copper then, but it's interesting to know that silver is a faster cable...... but I'm more interested in Soundstage and 3Dimensionality.

 

[Unclewai]

The magwires are not flexible, wouldn't that be a problem for that portable setup?
I think money can be spent better somewhere else than on a cable with your current setup. You should try to find a pair of acoustic research Mini to RCA.
Last I bought it for $10, the cable is very well made and looks a lot better than the generic ones.