Rega Elicit - what speaker cables to use?

[JMiP]

I just recently picked up a clamshell version of the Rega Elicit integrated amp and read in the manual that I should not use speaker cable that are 'solid core' or OFC.

Does this limit my choices for speaker cable that is above Radio Shack quality? Do you have any suggestions for good speaker cables that are not solid care or OFC? What about if I decide to make my own cables? What kind of cable should I specifically be looking for?

Rega suggests that I use cable made by them, QED, Naim, or Linn. However, this manual was printed back in the early to mid-'90s.

 

[NAD80]

Sound like they just wanted to buy the "Expensive Speaker Cable". I would go for what you can afford say 12-14 Ga wire. Some here on AK have used regular line cord (extension cord) and cut off the ends and used it for the speakers. Parts Express has speaker wire that looks good. Nothing wrong with RS wire. Stay away from the coated aluminum wire. OFC is good.

 

[elnaldo]

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

I'd follow the advice of Roger Rusell , "Director of Acoustic Research at McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. and the originator of McIntosh Loudspeakers", and buy plain copper wire.

 

[Pete B]

It sounds like they are trying to scare you into/away from two things.
1. To buy their cables or from one on their list.
2. Keep you away from "strange" audio cables that might have high capacitance or
a strange termination network.
OFC is all around a good thing, but there is no need to brag about it, perhaps they
thought that only overpriced cable companies brag about it being OFC:
From here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen-free_copper
"The high-end speaker wire industry markets oxygen-free copper as having enhanced conductivity or other electrical properties that are supposedly advantageous to audio signal transmission. However, conductivity specifications for common C11000 Electrolytic-Tough-Pitch (ETP) and higher-cost C10200 Oxygen-Free (OF) coppers are identical.[12] Much more expensive C10100, a highly refined copper with silver impurities removed and oxygen reduced to 0.0005%, has only a one percent higher conductivity—insignificant in audio applications.[12] OFC is nevertheless sold for both audio and video signals in audio playback systems and home cinema.[12]"

I'd use any decent quality zip cord style wire of low enough gauge to handle the length of run.

 

[unfairlane]

Anything but Regas own cables, they`re the worst bass-killers I`ve heard.

 

[62vauxhall]

There used to be a 10% guideline in retail audio sales. However much a system cost, 10% of that amount should be spent on cables and interconnects.

Before that, before expensive wire became in vogue, speaker makers recommended lamp cord with thickness vs length being the only stipulation.

Terminate the ends however you want, spades, bananas or just bare wire. The electrons will not care one bit.