speaker cable interconnects..

[boomtheroom]

i know there are alot of speaker cables and interconnects out there how many of you have tried expensive ones only to find out diy or cheaper ones performed just as good or better? if so which brands etc?

[DodgyConnection]

The whole topic is a can of worms but, like so many things in life, with cables you get what you pay for. And yes, the pricier ones are better...

IMO of course.

[davyboy9]

In my last set-up I went all Slinkylinks and bi-wire and thought they were quite neutral or invisible if you like and let the components shine. They also seemed to bring out the LF a bit more.
With cables it pays to not draw any conclusions until they're well run in and some cables really do take hundreds of hrs.

[got tinnitus]

I've had my fair share of speaker cables over the years.

Best performer is Naim's NACA5.

[LHH]

I'm inclined to think cables are too system dependent to recommend by brand. Some of my favourite "reasonably" priced cables include Van Den Hul "The Second" interconnects and Magnan "3i" interconnects, but I've heard them sound truly awful in some systems (the VDH dead and flabby, and the Magnan piercing).

As for DIY cables, I've never heard a good pair of interconnects, but I've had success with cat5 speaker cables before.

[Brian Ono]

Best to try before you buy as the bove comments regarding system dependance are correct.The more you spend still runs into the wall of diminshing returns.

[kiwi_1282001]

When I started this hobby twenty years back I thought only a bloody ‘idiot’ spent more than a few bucks on speaker cables and interconnects. Nowadays I happily steer at the reflected image of an ‘idiot’ whilst shaving every morning.

[Ernie]

A really nice loom of cable may just reveal the weaknesses of the system.

There no easy answers. Probably the best bet is to find a dealer who can demo the differences.

[Des W]

Probably the best bet is to find a dealer who can demo the differences.

Yoh!--Yes well easier said than done-- I ain't heard any dealer do that yet--and I've heard a few try--good luck boys on that!

The only person who has successfully done that to the acceptance of a crowded room in unison(yep I was there) is Lars the Nordost magician in his Demos.

He's worth the price of admission-ha!

Des

[Ernie]

Yes, Lars is a dab hand at the Demo (sic. with a capital D), climaxing at Valhalla, Odin and Quantum for very good measure.

I try to do the same, starting at Blue Heaven and ending at Heimdall, in usually less crowded rooms. :o