Interconnect cables needed

I need some help in selecting a set of quality interconnects for my new Marantz SA-14 that will be arriving any day now. In my current setup, I am using Fulton Musical Industries interconnects between my present SCD-C333ES (which will remain in my system) and between my amp and preamp.

I have always been partial to the sound of these interconnects, but seeing as they have not been available for nearly fifteen years, I am forced into buying another pair. I have had the opportunity to compare the Fultons to the Top-of-the-line Harmonic Technology cables which, to these ears, sounded a little thinner and brighter than real life, and not as good as the Fultons overall.

I must also say that while I believe cables do make subtle differences in the way things sound, I'm not really ecstatic about spending hundreds of dollars for something that offers only marginal improvement from one model to another. So, how about it? What's out there that is clean, smooth and dynamic without costing an arm and a leg?

 

sgb,

What is your price range? At around $300 I'd recommend the Coincident ICs. These are very well made, a nice sweet sound, though perhaps slightly dark when compared to the best. If you don't mind a fairly opinionated fellow, check out www.high-endaudio.com for a recommendation of the Coincidents. One thing about these ICs is the connectors are very solid and the cord is stiff for about 6", so you need rear clearance. Sometimes you can get the Coincidents new through AudioGon for $260.

If you could afford $500-600 then Bob Crump (TG Audio) is your man. TG Audio is a one-man band in Houston, and Bob makes the cables pretty much himself. He will burn them in before you get them. You know that when you buy from Bob that most of your money has gone into the materials and labour costs, not to support a large marketing campaign, store front, executive wash room etc.

I don't have Bob's ICs but I have 4 of his power cords. He's a stand-up bloke.

If you are a DIY guy, you can save a lot of money by making ChrisVH's silver interconnects. I've been thinking of these for quite some time.

Another possibility would be a kit from Allen Wright in Germany - www.vacuumstate.com

Regards,
Metralla

 

I myself have tried a few different IC's in my system and the one that wins everytime is Kimber KS series, no comparison, but not that cheap either. Just MHO.

 

Well...

I was hoping that someone would say they found an interconnect that retailed for less than $100 that let them see God, Metralla. I surfed around on the site you listed but couldn't find the Coincidents... Liked his list of recordings though.

Dave, how much are these Kimbers?

 

OK,

Are you running tubes or SS?

What kind of music is your main listening?

I can't tell you unless I know these 2 answers.

 

I'm a tube kind of guy. They have that certain je ne sais quois that offers just a tad closer sense of being there.

As I noted in the music link, I listen to just about everything. Right now the 333ES's carousel is loaded with, Famous Blue Raincoat, Yardbird Suite(disks 1 & 2), The Artistry of Theresa Perez, and As Time Goes By, which has become my all-time favorite.

 

Kimber

Does Kimber Kable still make the PBJ interconnect? I have it all over my system. Good sound for not much $$$.

 

http://www.boldercables.com/store.a...968JV5HXV8XBHJ5QR3CXUD&k=24525&s=Audio+Cables

What I got.

 

Allright. Fasten your seatbelt!

My recommendation would be for the Kimber KS-1020's because they are a silver/copper combination (silver for the speed required for tubes and copper for the complete bass response).

Price is $400.oo US. 1/2 meter and $600.00 US. for a meter.

FYI I've compared these babies to Coincident, Transparent, Van Den Hule, MIT, Monster, and a few others I can't remember right now.

You might want to save a few$ and try the "Silver Streaks" as they're very good as well

I'm not brave enough to try DIY.

Yes they still make the PBJ as well as Hero

 

Ahhh, the Select. Do they have a bright sound?

 

Pigmode,

Define bright for me.

They are super revealing in all ranges though.

 

*super revealing* kinda scares me, Dave. The last *super revealing* system I heard just about ripped the ears right off my face. Don't know if it was the Krells, the Grand Slamms or both.

 

bright=treble induced fatigue

 

Pigmode,

It depends on the mastering totally! Steve's recordings and most MFSL's don't cause treble fatigue at all.

 

I know that cables are very system dependent and with that said
the best cable I have used (and best value also) is the Homegrown Super Silver $89.95 plus free ship in USA. I had previously used PBJ and Straightwire Maestro, no slouches either. I was amazed at the clarity and smoothness I acheived, not to mention excellent bass response. THe more expensive Silver Lace
is next on my list. Great values.

 

cadillacjack,

Are those cables that you're using straight silver or silver/copper?

 

Dave,


There are all silver. You have a 30 day money back guarantee. No risk in trying. The biggest improvement is the smoothness. Gets rid of a lot of harshness. And this is using a probably not the greatest Marantz 2235. The difference is not subtle.

Cadillacjack

 

Cadillacjack,

Now you've got my interest as the only time I've used pure silver I found that they weren't as revealing as my Kimbers and lacked a lot in the bottom end, mind you I'm running Classe' SS. Hmmm..

The audiophile plot thickens........

 

sgb,

Coincidents ...

Click on Recommended Components - that will take you to www.high-endaudio.com/index_ac.html . Go to the bottom of this long page then search backwards for "CABLES-INTERCONNECTS-PHONO SIGNAL"

Also you could go to Coincident Web Site for more info.

Regards,
Metralla

 

Now we're talking my kind of price! What's the URL for Homegrown?

 

www.homegrownaudio.com.

Your welcome.

cj

 

Interconnects

I dig the Silver Audio Appassionata. $700 and worth every cent. Solid silver Litz, hand-made, with custom locking WBT connectors. These are works of art and sound like it.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Silver Audio is a small California-based company and you're paying for their wire, not a lot of marketing.

Max (the owner) answers the phone himself.

www.silveraudio.com

 

Thanks, mazort. An audiophile buddy of the past 30 years recommended these very same cables to me some time ago, but $700 is a little out of my league.

Since I posted this request for info a few weeks back, thanks to a couple of friends who've loaned me some of their favorites, I've had an opportunity to try several different interconnects (none as expensive as these, though).

Some wise poster above did mention that the results are system dependent, and that's certainly the case here, as I wasn't pleased with any of the results.