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Entry Level Interconnect next step up?

I'm with WaynerN. I got some RG--59/U cable with copper shielding and Amphenol connectors and made up a bunch of interconnects. Fabrication was very easy and a 1-meter pair was all of about $9 total. Many folks speak highly of solid-core coax cable interconnects.
 
Hi, Your wasting your money expecting any genuine imptovement IMO, rgds, sreten.

Decent cables are surprisingly cheap off e-pray, and cost less than you could build them for.
I used to make them, but now its pointless, premade cables have some seriously nice plugs.
 
Tin Bird said:
..............Think I was reacting to the lukewarm What Hi Fi? 3 star review... they kind've trashed them.
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This comment and the wording in the title of this thread reminds reminds me of a magazine review I read about ten years ago.

The writer was reviewing a receiver that cost $600. The review was laudatory in general, but one comment really stuck with me. It was something to the effect of, this receiver is pretty nice, especially considering that it only cost as much as an entry level pair of interconnects.

I never got over that offhand comment. It has altered my reaction to every review by that writer that I've seen since. Honestly, it's caused me to view all audio magazines differently. Whoever these guys are writing for, it's not me.
 
stereofanboy said:
This comment and the wording in the title of this thread reminds reminds me of a magazine review I read about ten years ago.

The writer was reviewing a receiver that cost $600. The review was laudatory in general, but one comment really stuck with me. It was something to the effect of, this receiver is pretty nice, especially considering that it only cost as much as an entry level pair of interconnects.

I never got over that offhand comment. It has altered my reaction to every review by that writer that I've seen since. Honestly, it's caused me to view all audio magazines differently. Whoever these guys are writing for, it's not me.
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I hear you! A pair of $600 interconnects is going to be pretty decent at worst. Really entry level interconnects should start at about $200 a pair, perhaps a touch more. ;)

P
 
PAGS said:
Keep the Evergreens and buy more CDs, which these days are a super bargain when compared to other media. Anyway, my two cents.
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With you on this...I'm a CD guy and I have found super bargains on super rare CDs esp on eBay and Discogs over the past few years.
 
stereofanboy said:
This comment and the wording in the title of this thread reminds reminds me of a magazine review I read about ten years ago.

The writer was reviewing a receiver that cost $600. The review was laudatory in general, but one comment really stuck with me. It was something to the effect of, this receiver is pretty nice, especially considering that it only cost as much as an entry level pair of interconnects.

I never got over that offhand comment. It has altered my reaction to every review by that writer that I've seen since. Honestly, it's caused me to view all audio magazines differently. Whoever these guys are writing for, it's not me.
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You and me both brother!

While I will agree with you that not all interconnects are created equal, I'm perfectly happy with a $20-30 pair (e.g. BJC or Mogami) and in fact most of my gear is hooked up with the AR video cables that PX was blowing out a few months back. I bought a few for a test, found them to have decently low capacitance and no obvious faults, so bought a crapton of them and used them. No evident problems... My whole junk box's worth of cables is probably worth less than many high end guys' single 1m pair... and I'm OK with that.

Could my system be better if I wired it all up with better cables? Maybe, but I doubt it... There's probably a bigger weak link than that. Not sure if it's source, preamp/amp or speakers, but likely all three, and improving on any of them is out of my budget without good luck and a scroe or two.
 
Have decided to give the Atlas Element Integras a go based on great reviews. This will be my first "small tweak", so I am curious to find out if they really make any difference in sound quality. I'm guessing that most folks on AK think they will not. I guess we'll see...
 
Tin Bird said:
Have decided to give the Atlas Element Integras a go based on great reviews. This will be my first "small tweak", so I am curious to find out if they really make any difference in sound quality. I'm guessing that most folks on AK think they will not. I guess we'll see...
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I am interested in your findings. Nice looking cables and reviews.
 
Will do...considering that I have very entry level gear and I am comparing two entry level cables, I will admit that I am not expecting a huge improvement or difference. However, being that I am a fan of warm and smooth sound, anything that achieves a bit more of that will be welcomed.
 
You probably won't notice a HUGE improvement, but you might notice a subtle change. When I replaced my hodge-podge of 'whatever-was-available-when-I-needed-one' cables with a full complement of one decent, entry-level brand/model, I did find increased detail, and overall smoother sound. Not by a lot, but it was there. My gear is rather modest, mostly vintage, mid-fi.

Some will say cables are cables, one is as good as any other. Up to a point, I think that is true. But changing out a bunch of mismatched crap for a single brand, identical spec, wire harness makes for one less point of divergence in a system, and CAN be a worthwhile expense.
 
Some improvement are not readily noticeable , but when you find your listening for longer sessions without listener fatigue you'll know it's an improvement. UHF magazine seems to really like the Atlas cables and they sell them through their online audiophile store, pretty good endorsement if you ask me. They're pretty picky and not at all afraid to piss a sponsor off if they don't like something.
 
Before you go spend money on new cables, get yourself some silver bearing contact enhancing grease. You will be amazed at the improvement. It's not so much a tweak as a mandatory component in my opinion.

I feel that the ones marketed to audiophiles are overpriced. I use industrial versions (about $30 for a little syringe).
 
How did interconnect become a noun anyway? Shouldn't they be called interconnectors? How about plain old RCA cords or RCA cables, as in the old days, before the drug addled and self deluded Baby Boomers got in the hobby?
 
Tom Brennan said:
How did interconnect become a noun anyway? Shouldn't they be called interconnectors? How about plain old RCA cords or RCA cables, as in the old days, before the drug addled and self deluded Baby Boomers got in the hobby?
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I resent that...I'm a drug addled self deluded Gen Xer.
 
E-Stat said:
Cables can deliver icing to an already nice cake, but really should be put in context to the rest of the system.

As for me, I'd invest in upgrading the modest amp first.
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Any recommendations on a next step up amp that would pair nicely w the Wharefdales? I've been considering a tube amp. I also think the PS Audio Sprout sounds pretty cool. I have to turn the bass up a bit w my A20 anyway, so the internal bass boost in the Sprout would be a plus for me I think.
 
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I would recommend you have a listen to the new yamaha amps. I've had my as500 for about 3 year now it was the best money I've spent.
 
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