[xatax]

Hi,
Experts, I wanted to know if the Gold Series of RadioShack are really good cables for audio interconnecting?
What do you think?

 

[Czilla9000]

I did a dissection of one a while ago, and posted about it on the forums.



Overall, it is a basic cable. The construction looked good for the price.

 

[DanG]

I think he's asking about the sound...

They're not great, but they're very good for the $10 you'll spend. They're a fine choice for your first audio interconnect cable.

 

[Mr.PD]

I used them when I got my SACD player. I am not an audiophile, and I noticed how bad these RS cables are. I thought something happened to my speakers. My favorite cd didn't sound right, the lack of detail was highly noticeable. So, I grabbed an unused Monster Interlink 200 cable and stuck it in the main front channel connection and had an instant improvement. I know that Monster is not a very good cable either. I am now trying to figure out which cables to purchase for all 6 channels of my SACD player. It is kind of expensive when you gotta buy 3 pair at once.


I would not recomend them.

 

[andrzejpw]

All in all, they are worth the price. Very basic, but a great interconnect for the first time user. I started with them, and I'd guess many here started with them.

 

[dhwilkin]

Yup, great starter cable, but that's about it.

 

[wasifazim]

Awful cables. You could build a better set with cheap magnet wire.

- Wasif.

 

[zowie]

The interconnects will make a noticeable improvement over the thin plastic cables that come with lower end components or and for a tiny investment. They are very adequate for a mid-fi system or hooking a portable into a stereo. If you're building a high end system, go for something better.

The RS heavy gague speaker cables likewise are a big improvement over lamp wire or the stuff that comes with so-called "executive systems." In fact, I didn't hear that big an improvement when I moved up from them to $300 Audioquests (all short runs). But I did find that the RS copper oxidizes over a few years.

 

[dokebi]

Here is a thread that ridicules monster products and all expensive interconnects in general. They do make some good points and I don't know what to believe. Link

 

[ooheadsoo]

My thoughts on testing with regards to audio:

Ironically, in the end, it is the subjective opinion that counts. Funny, no? It doesn't really matter if the sound changed, as long as you believe it did. Whether the perceived difference is worth the money or not, your wallet will decide.

 

[fredpb]

Get the longer ones. THey can be used to tie down your trunk lid when carrying larger stereo gear home.

Oh, you mean sound????

Depends on your gear. If you have a $20 system, they are fine.

Nah.

It really does depend on your equipment and your budget.

If you have a $400 system, why not? If you have a $2000 system, don't use them, as they will make it sound like the $400 system.

 

[Mr.PD]

Let me clarify my earlier post. I have an Onkyo middle of the line home theater reciever $500 at Circuit City with Infinity Entra speakers. I do not have high end stuff here. I bought the Sony DVD/SACD NS500v for $125. See, still no high end. I hooked up the 5.1 channel out of the Sony with Radio Shack gold IC's. I had been using the digital out and letting the Onkyo do the decoding. Then I got an SACD CD. In order to play SACD I needed to hook up the 5.1 channel. After setting the receiver to use the 5.1 channel instead of the digital out from the DVD player I honestly thought something had happened to my speakers. Those RS cables were that bad. You know they're bad when 200 series Monster cable sounds significantly better.