I’m trading in some gear and will use some of my trade in credit for my first set of speakers cables that cost more than ~$30. I am looking to keep it between $500-$1K for my intro into speaker cables at ~8ft length. I can get some sensitivity in the high frequency to shouty things and would guess I would prefer something that leans a bit warm. My dealer is recommending Synergistic Research cables based on this but I keep hearing Paul recommend AudioQuest in his videos. I know I don’t have stealth money, however, are there any recommendations in my budget? I’m absolutely fine with used gear. Current system below. Thanks.
Speakers: Magnepan 1.7s with GR Research crossovers and a pair of Magnepan DWM bass panels.
I would suggest considering Morrow Audio. Their retail prices should never be what you pay, as they’re always on some kind of sale on their site. Be sure to check the sale link. I’d go with the most expensive pair that’s in your budget. Don’t know that I’d call them anything other than neutral sounding. They used to have a clearance page, but I can’t find that now.
Anti-Cables Level 4.2 Flex or Kimber 8TC punch beyond their weight. Lower level AudioQuest and Synergistic are MEH IME. I’ve tried Iconoclast ETPC and SPTPC and they are fine but out of your budget range. A pair of 8 foot used ETPC may fit the bill at 50% of list price. The SPTPC can be a bit bright, and thin sounding IME.
I highly recommend Audio Sensibility. They’re constantly having sales, so you’ll want to wait for one. Based in Canada, but they ship to the US as well. Different price + quality levels to match your budget. Get something with OCC copper if you can.
Audio Envy is also worth checking out. They also use OCC copper.
These OCC copper cables from Audio Sensibility will get you the sound you are describing for $C729 which with the currency conversion is $515 plus there is a 15% discount coupon on the website. Steve will send you a PayPal invoice in US dollars if so pick it at checkout. I used a pair for several years. The Audio Envy cables are also very good but a little more neutral.
That’s interesting you found the SPTPC just “fine” and can be bright. I never found them bright on my TAD’s, which are all beryllium. I liked the added definition vs. the TPC which I used on the bass binding post. I swapped them once and I felt the SP on tweeter/mid driver was better.
I just got electrostatic dipoles from Prodigio (was popori) and haven’t yet tried swapping the two speaker cables from the main panels (which has no crossover and lets you hear everything) to the super tweeter.
I would say if @Clover can swing for Iconoclast, it’s a cable he can buy and never have to worry that cables are holding back the system and need upgrading.
Different electronics, speakers, and room. I don’t doubt the Iconoclast sounds great in your system. As the bass was thinned out a bit, especially the upper bass transition to lower midrange the presentation in my system was tilted to the high end. I found speaker cables more to my liking in my system, Audience Front Row. Currently the system is completely wired with Audience Front Row, and a Gryphon PowerZone. At one time Galen admitted bass performance could be improved in some systems by bi-wiring with Iconoclast.
A member here bought my Fidelium Speaker cable a few months ago, and I just sold my Fidelium interconnects without even advertising it. Theses are impossible to beat at their asking prices, and especially the used ones. Hard to find used for sure.
Thanks for your thoughts. I found bi wiring my TAD’s provided slightly less congestion than single wire. I’ll definitely do the swap on my new panels to see how the copper vs Silver plated sounds.
I also recommend getting Morrow Audio cables (when they’re on sale). I’m listening to my new 5-meter SP4 speaker cables, and they’re wonderful, even though they’re not broken in yet. Also love Mike’s power cables and interconnects.
Asking for opinions, recommendations or suggestions is always a great starting point when the quest for the best cables (within budget) begins.
Iconoclast offers audition cables when available though not always the exact length or 1st choice of connectors that allow audiophiles to take all of the guess work out of the equation. I’m often told that Iconoclast speaker cables and IC’s provide sonic improvements on the level of a “major” component or speaker upgrade. There are lots and lots of testimonies on the Iconoclast by Belden thread here on the PS Audio forum. A wealth of information is available.
For more conservative budgets Belden’s BAV line is an amazing value. BAV and Iconoclast cables are patented designs and produced at the Belden facilities in Richmond, IN. Belden’s been doing this for 124-years!
Anyone who purchases Iconoclast cables, enjoys a 30-day “no questions asked” return/full refund policy. +/- 97% of what leaves the Blue Jeans/Iconoclast shop never comes back. That’s a strong testimony.
https://www.iconoclastcable.com - An open book to the design, the math and the science on what matters. YouTube video links to presentations by Iconoclast designer Galen.
Yep, I use the SPTPC series II ICONOCLAST on my new reference ACORA 5.2D’s with diamond tweeters. Not bright. I want to hear MORE than you ever will if possible thus the upgrade.
bi-wire lower IM distortion (less information superimposed in each cable) and this improves the signal purity. But, it also changes the R, L and C reactance the amplifier sees, too. So we weight the benefits to the detriments; higher capacitance and some amps ring with too low inductance that offsets the capacitance. Which attribute is most heard? Many of the big guns (MAGICO, ACORA and more) feel a single run…and only have one set of binding posts, is best. We have people in both camps with bi-wire, Vandersteen being and early proponent in the bi-wire camp.
We need to be carful about individual experiences as the amp/cable/load is unique to your system and not likely anyone elses.
When I was running my TAD’s I found biwiring with SPTPC on top and TPC on the bottom, just as Galen mentioned, worked to reduce congestion in the speaker.
I have a new speaker in, a large electrostsat panel from Prodigio, and have yet to try swapping the SPTPC to the tweeter from the main panel just yet. I’m still getting a handle on how much the PMG preamp improved the system.
Yes, same test as IM test with 19 KHz and 20 KHz tones for amplifiers as an example. Exact same issue. Two frequencies can create frequencies that aren’t originally there. Separate them and they can’t. Again, analog is a superposition theory through and through. Besides, when have I not told you like it is? Time and other factors like IM all keeps adding up and not in a good way. Best to keep stuff at bay if you can…but what things are the lowest hanging fruit. Start big and go little, yes.
No, not aggressive just being accurate so what you hear is also most accurate. Adding coloration, that’s where you take it after a clean and as close to perfect product is delivered to you. This respects what’s important to you, yes? I don’t decide you get to. In my way of thinking organic means as is, or most pure to the source. And if possible means exactly that, probably not totally possible as this is subjective but the reference system needs to be as good as can be for those working up the chain. And yes, this mean minus the colorations even I can enjoy at times.