Cables? What Brand/Model do you use?

Cables are all about balance. I’ve spent months finding the right balance in my system. Here it is:

Shunyata Sigma NR 20amp IEC 1.75m from wall outlet to AQ Niagra 5000.
Amp has AQ Hurricane HC - 2M
Preamp has AQ Hurricane Source - 2M
DAC has AQ Hurricane Source - 2M
Phonostage has AQ Hurricane Source - 2M
Speakers have Shunyata Sigma NR - 1.75m
All IC’s are AQ Earth except for Phono which is Shunyata Phono cable and AQ Earth back to preamp
USB is Shunyata Sigma
Speaker cables are Shunyata Sigma NR

I have tried numerous other combinations. But this is a BALANCE I consider “perfect” for me.



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Mike, do you run everything off your Niagra?
 
I am using Transparent Opus on my amps and pre-amp. For the most part using a mix of Shunyata Alpha (HC, NR, Digital) on my dCS gear.
 
Okay, lately I’ve been using Belden 8402 between amp and preamp (both rca and xlr depending on gear) and some Duelund from my source or rca Belden depending on preamp. Since moving the gear to one rack, I switched to Siltech. I absolutely loved Siltech with all my other speakers especially Studio2 and 4367. With the Duo XD, instantly the Siltech was just too much of a good thing.

I just went back to Belden between amp and preamp and everything went back to what I am used to hearing and more of what I like.

So, it pays to experiment. Don’t assume it’s a speaker or piece of gear that you don’t like or think is not performing well. Everything matters.
 
Joe

Have you tried all Belden or all Dueland if you have enough of each?

I have to mix a little of both for now but it’s not too bad price-wise to order a little more. I tried them as an experiment and like them both. Plus they don’t break the bank.
 
I don't have but the one pair of Belden so I just use it between the amp and preamp in the Family Room system. I am using all Dueland XLR in the main system with the SC and PC's from TWL and it is a good balance and better than inserting the Dueland SC's. If you don't mind rolling your own, which won't take but about a half hour, you can order the 12 gauge Dueland speaker cable from Parts Connexion and make a two meter pair for $160 with bare ends.
 
I am budget minded and like bang for the buck cables. I prefer to put money towards my electronics and speakers.

I use the Belden 8402 XLRs and love them. I also use a pair of AQ 72v DBS Columbia XLR's. Power cables by PSA and Cullen.

Speaker wire-10g belden but I am planning on upgrading to Analysis Plus.
 
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Okay, lately I’ve been using Belden 8402 between amp and preamp (both rca and xlr depending on gear) and some Duelund from my source or rca Belden depending on preamp. Since moving the gear to one rack, I switched to Siltech. I absolutely loved Siltech with all my other speakers especially Studio2 and 4367. With the Duo XD, instantly the Siltech was just too much of a good thing.

I just went back to Belden between amp and preamp and everything went back to what I am used to hearing and more of what I like.

So, it pays to experiment. Don’t assume it’s a speaker or piece of gear that you don’t like or think is not performing well. Everything matters.


I and 3 others passed around a set of Dueland IC's and SC's to try in our individual systems. Then we compared our results.
To a man we all felt the Dueland to be on the darker side with a slight roll off of the treble.
On a brighter, lively type speaker they might bring a good balance. On a more neutral/warmer type speaker they were somewhat oppressive.
The Belden IC's when tried by several of us were found to be fairly neutral.
It just goes to show that not one particular wire will win out in every system.
Mixing cables has been found to bring out the best results in our test over a single mfg's "loom".
Your results may vary.
 
I'm using a loom of Clarus, Drimson. I probably should experiment more. It can get expensive though if no shops around to lend cable items.

I'm curious if anyone has tried Clarus? There in FL. I'm not sure what the exact relationship to Tributaries is, either owned by same company or same rep. Tributaries is decent in it's range. Clarus makes Aqua and Crimson, I didn't care much for Aqua but the Crimson is really good.

I've used Transparent, more entry level, and have it on the HT side now. I've had Siltech, found the different series can really vary in sound character. Also, had a loom of AntiCable for a while. AC can really be good in some systems, very pristine sound but wasn't great in some of my friend's systems when I let them try it.

I've had some Analysis PLus in my system and they would be on my list if experimenting. I like how they sound, very natural.

I also played with Wire World that I liked.

I've used BlueJeans which is Belden, they are decent but head to head with most of the above they didn't hold up. However, when trying a set of Zu Speakers they suggested a regular type cable opposed to exotic. I shouldn't say, "didn't hold u", I didn't prefer them over the competitor.

Now, though, Belden had entered the more expensive, very expensive, range. I did get to try a set of speaker cables, they were sort of square shape, I really didn't like them at all. Seemed to have no bass but the midrange was really detailed. I wish I could remember the name, Exolink or something like that.
 
Mr P

Clarus and Tributaries are both owned by the Gordon Gow Technologies. I always identified Tributaries as installer cables and they are big in the Auto Audio and HT installer circuit. Both the Clarus cables and AA's Pangea cables are designed by Jay Vincent and the Aqua line even looks a lot like the Pangea cables. Whether the materials or geometries are the same who knows. Also thought the expensive McIntosh branded cables were also re-branded Tributaries cables which makes sense sense Gow is a former Mc employee as is the CEO of Tributaries Joe Perfito.
 
MIT EVO One SC and IC. SC was a revelation when they were first inserted cold.
AQ Hurricane HC/Source on INT, DAC and from wall to Denali.
Shunyata Alpha Digital on sub and pre/pro.
 
MIT Oracle SC and IC
Transparent Reference Power

Had Shunyata Sigma SC and Anaconda IC but in my system the MIT was much more open sounding and had greater presence along with better harmonics. I agree that it is all about balance and system synergy along with our own preferences.

George
 
alp-tone audio alp.wE series IC and SC

i preferred their wE series cables which are made with western electric conductors over the Sn series which is duelund -- was just a bit more lively/dynamic in my system.
 
My main rig uses Synergistic Research Kaleidoscope ICs and Speaker wire, because that was what came with the rest of the gear when I bought it all.

I have one pair of Groneburg ICs that came with my Stratos Amp which I tamed a bright system with between an OPPO93 and Rotel 1052.

I have a few pairs of AudioQuest Sidewinders in 2 meter lengths for a few things.

Almost all my other cables are Tara Labs. My secondary system uses Prism speaker cables and Original "S" cables.

Then I have several other Tara cables in the Quantum series from 22s, 33, CX, and a few others.

Power cables include PS Audio, Pangia, and Cullen
 
alp-tone audio alp.wE series IC and SC

i preferred their wE series cables which are made with western electric conductors over the Sn series which is duelund -- was just a bit more lively/dynamic in my system.

I/we, found the same thing between WE and Dueland IC's.
I think it might have to do with the oil impregnation that Dueland treats it's cables with.
 
ZenWave Audio D4 ICs throughout, and SMSG speaker cables. If you want outrageous resolution of microdetail, such as every little friction of bow against strings on solo violin, or the complex silky sheen on orchestral massed violins, this is a cable that will satisfy you for a not outrageous price. Tonal balance is neutral (I don't like to adjust tonal balance with cables), and the music comes through as refined, or wild and rough, as it is. Midrange is neither thinned out nor thickened, bass is killer in terms of definition. Perhaps it's overkill, but I also use the ZenWave D4 ICs for my JL Audio subs.
 
I began with Nordost and worked my way through their line finishing at Valhalla 2 for power, interconnect and speaker and added their QRT power foundation no regrets other then it was a small fortune.

I also run an Ansuz C2 power cable into the server, and have some A2’s on the sideline along with a C2 interconnect.

I am so far into this, I am not changing, trading, buying or selling.

Shunyata offers nice ways to address incoming power and builds an excellent cable as well as Audioquest with the Niagara conditioners and the Dragon and Hurricane which seem to draw interest here and other places.

Transparent offers some nice stuff and has the largest presence here in the Northwest, and odd that Shunyata who is based here has close to, if not zero play.

In short they are all too expensive but seem to work better in looms (safe) or carefully selected brand choices to match (try before you buy).

In short the following names would draw my interest if I were to start again;

Nordost
Ansuz
Shunyata
Audioquest
Transparent
Audience










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Same here, it cost so much for the loom I have it keeps me from doing much swapping and experimenting.

I began with Nordost and worked my way through their line finishing at Valhalla 2 for power, interconnect and speaker and added their QRT power foundation no regrets other then it was a small fortune.

I also run an Ansuz C2 power cable into the server, and have some A2’s on the sideline along with a C2 interconnect.

I am so far into this, I am not changing, trading, buying or selling.

Shunyata offers nice ways to address incoming power and builds an excellent cable as well as Audioquest with the Niagara conditioners and the Dragon and Hurricane which seem to draw interest here and other places.

Transparent offers some nice stuff and has the largest presence here in the Northwest, and odd that Shunyata who is based here has close to, if not zero play.

In short they are all too expensive but seem to work better in looms (safe) or carefully selected brand choices to match (try before you buy).

In short the following names would draw my interest if I were to start again;

Nordost
Ansuz
Shunyata
Audioquest
Transparent
Audience










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