Good Interconnects! the connectors?

Posted by Videodude [IP: 208.25.193.32] on September 28, 1999 at 14:44:41
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In Reply to: Good Interconnects! the connectors? posted by Lee Kelly on September 27, 1999 at 14:00:27:

First, let me apologize for the long post. I just had a lot to say on the subject.

Well, this is a subject of many debates. I posed a similar question last month. I ended up buying several different DIY cables and connectors. I have been into high-end audio for over 2 decades. I have had systems from $400 with DIY speakers to $25,000 worth of "audiophile" equipment. And back down to a sensibly priced and good sounding audio and video system.

I am also lucky to have an AV store in the area that will let you buy and try their different interconnects. After exhaustive A/B tests, I found that the best sounding cable was a tie. Two sounded exactly the same to my ear in my system. They gave the music a larger presence. None of the cables made a difference in tonal quality or timbre. The sound stage was airy and open. Most of the rest of the cables tested sounded the same. Good, but not quite the same sound. The OEM, and Radio Shack Gold/Cheap sounded slightly muted in my system to my ear.

Here are the two cables that "won" IMHO. The first was a TeraLabs cable that cost over $300. It tied with a DIY cable that I made myself from CANARE products. CANARE Cable makes the "Star-Quad" signal/microphone cable that I used in bulk in 10 different colors. CANARE also makes the best RCA connector that I have ever seen under the price of $10 each(F-10). They are only $2.99. They are both available through Markertek.com.

CANARE is one of the best names used in professional recording studios. As you may know, Studios can't master a CD in all of it's quality, without quality components and interconnects. After a bit of research on the subject, I have found that many studios are rewiring with CANARE.

I also previewed Monster interconnects from $14.95-$89.95, Kimber Kable $120-$600, PBJ $85, Tera Labs $49-$329. OEM cables, Radio shack cables - both gold and cheap, DIY from two Beldon cables with the cheap RCA connectors from Radio Shack, gold Connectors from Radio Shack and Canare RCA connectors. The Canare connectors in Canare cable gave the "open presence" that I talked about earlier. Since the connectors are Grossly better that RS for about the same price, it is a no-brainer. GET THE CANARE. The Canare Cables cost $8-$14 each, depending on length. This is the best deal that I could find.

To those who use RS & OEM iterconnects:
I do indeed believe you, when you say that you cannot hear the difference in cables. Every human hears sounds and perceives them in different ways. That means that half of the world hears less definition in different components, wire, etc. Likewise half of the world hears MORE definition in different components, wire, etc. If you are one of the lucky half who does not have to spend extra money to hear audio the best that they can, CONGRADULATIONS. Unfortunately, I am in the half that can hear small differences and nuances. We all want the best that we can hear. Audio is simply different for all of us.

I would ALWAYS give this advice: Try it yourself. See if the connectors and interconnect cables make a difference to you. Try one, before you buy enough to re-wire your whole system. It helps to have a local store that will let you "Try and Buy"

I hope that I have not ruffled anyone's feathers. I just wanted to state what I found out in ONE person's humble opinion. Thank you :~}

• Markertek Web Site

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• Good Interconnects! the connectors? - Lee 10:52:47 09/29/99 (0)

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