Which Interconnect ?

Abhi
I have not tried any of these hence cannot vote. But I can claim that i find the locally made Finesse (Murthy) interconnects have the attributes in my system that you seek. Before Finesse I was a long term user of Audioquest cables/interconnects.
Jeeves

Hi Jeeves,
Thanks for the suggestion. Is this Finesse model the higher end one from Murthy or the entry level one (I believe he has two ranges) ? Actually the higher end one is priced around 4.5k which is out of my budget

Not the higher end one. I am using the regular ones.

Cheapest decent quality cables, whatever the brand !

Based on my experience, Buy ONLY AFTER you try.... ANY cables.

The results are SO system dependent that it is a ( IMHO ) a waste of money to buy without trying.

You may also be surprised at just how much difference a Mains cable ( even a DIY ) will make....

Not necessarily Doc! At least try different ones and see if there is a difference. If you cant confirm then go ahead and buy the cheapest any brand.

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Based on my experience, Buy ONLY AFTER you try.... ANY cables. The results are SO system dependent that it is a ( IMHO ) a waste of money to buy without trying. You may also be surprised at just how much difference a Mains cable ( even a DIY ) will make....

But I have no way of trying them
These are all higher-end interconnects from the respective brands and I cant afford them new. There are very few options which I can get for a home listen, one of them is Murthy.

If you guys have heard these interconnects performing then please share...that may atleast give me an idea.

try beklden(bluejeanscable)
and let me know when ur ordering..
i need an optical cable...will piggyback on ur order.

Savyasaachi schrieb:

try beklden(bluejeanscable) and let me know when ur ordering.. i need an optical cable...will piggyback on ur order.

Hey what cable is that ? Is it a speaker cable ? Where can I get it ?

take the offer from Sachi. Am sure you can find more people to do a bulk order together and save on shipping costs.

hey anhi..
go to www.bluejeanscable.com.
i might even pick up a pair of interconnects.
maybe even a mains cable.
let me know when ur ordering..will finalise the detaisl then.

Jeeves schrieb:

Not necessarily Doc! At least try different ones and see if there is a difference. If you cant confirm then go ahead and buy the cheapest any brand.

I also mentioned decent quality besides being cheapest. There isn't any rocket science involved or any great designing.

Noted Doc.

Hi Abhi Pani,

Let me know what diffrences wrer you able to find between Tara Labs IC's and yours.

Hi Guys,

Sorry I cant vote.... I use LAT-2 interconnects.

Just comments on the net ..... Van Den Hul is often, tongue-in-cheek referred to as Van Den Dull... they nicely complement a bright systen, taming some sharpness.

Cables are sometimes compared to tone contriols.... need to be optimised for each particular system & room....

Thanks for your comments guys...infact even I am ruling out VDH.
Sub,
I havent even able to listen to music yesterday...today I hope to do some ground work with Tara Labs.

Cables / interconnects are not supposed to be doing anything to music - if they do they are not good enough.

Sorry Doc,

I am in the 'Other' camp... that believes that cables DO affect sound.

I have still to hear cables that dont do anything to music ... At Any price

Hey Abhi,

Wonder why Kimber does not figure in your list...the PBJ IC and 4TC speaker cables are really good and not very expensive...in fact I'm considering them for my system...

I have also been recommended the MIT Terminator...anybody has had any experience with them?

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Hi Guys, Sorry I cant vote.... I use LAT-2 interconnects. Just comments on the net ..... Van Den Hul is often, tongue-in-cheek referred to as Van Den Dull... they nicely complement a bright systen, taming some sharpness.

Just a comment on the Van den Hul interconnects - the D102 Mk3 might be a bit dull - I've no experience w/ them but my brother owns a pair. I think that he is reasonably happy w/ them. His system is not bright.
The "real" vdH interconnect you want to get is "The First Ultimate". It's, unfortunately, substantially more but it's a very worthy interconnect. I used to own the prev model, "The First", which I really liked (my brother has that pair as well! ).

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Cables are sometimes compared to tone contriols.... need to be optimised for each particular system & room....

how I wish that they weren't! however, most be people do use them as tone controls. There are some fine cables out there in the market but one does have to spend more than $50 for them.
IMHO DH Labs BL1 Series II (silver clad copper) is a fine inexpensive cable. I own a pair & this comes from experience.
Straight Wire cables are also excellent - select from Level 2.
TARA Labs Prism are also excellent but the hi freq could be rolled off some.

Newbie doubt: For a basic low end system (NAD C320BEE+Jamo E855+EMU 0404 USB source with CS4398 DACs), how much of a difference would a high quality interconnect make? I have a Kimber GQ Mini interconnect(I'm not sure how good this is, i got it for real cheap so took it :)) This cable is between the source and my DIY headphone amp which powers a Sennheiser HD580(modded with HD600 grills). But I really don't notice a difference between this and run of the mill 200 rupee cables when listening on the headphone. Will it be substantially different in case of speakers? Is it worth investing in good RCA/RCA cables?

reinofchaos, you say you dont really notice a difference...is it dont really or dont at all..if its the latter then you dont hear it!
Typically, the difference in cables is more likely to be heard in extremely 'revealing' high end systems. But I know of guys with 'golden ears' who can tell the difference in less accomplished systems too.
Like I said in another post to you...welcome to audiophilia!

Jeeves schrieb:

reinofchaos, you say you dont really notice a difference...is it dont really or dont at all..if its the latter then you dont hear it! Typically, the difference in cables is more likely to be heard in extremely 'revealing' high end systems. But I know of guys with 'golden ears' who can tell the difference in less accomplished systems too. Like I said in another post to you...welcome to audiophilia!

Its more like none at all... I definitely don't have golden ears thats for sure. I felt more of a diff with the new upgraded metal grills than cables. The sennheiser HD600 (which is what these basically are after the mod) is stereophile class A equipment so its definitely not an average quality transducer. I do agree though that probably my headphone amp is holding me back. Maybe I should try and upgrade that as well before trying better cables.

TARA Labs Prism are also excellent but the hi freq could be rolled off some.

You are right bombaywalla after considerable options in hand I chose this for good SQ , butI find the highs to be just sparkling and not too harsh or either rolled off..I'm happy

Noob question coming up -

Are there no transparent cables, which do nothing to the sound? Wouldn't such cables be the best?

OTOH, how to decide if a cable is transparent??

P.S. I'm not asking about "Transparent Audio" cables

P.S. #2 Are "Transparent Audio" cables sonically transparent?

OTOH, how to decide if a cable is transparent?? P.S. I'm not asking about "Transparent Audio" cables P.S. #2 Are "Transparent Audio" cables sonically transparent?

Good question?? IMHO I assume all accesories add their own sonic characters, so you have to decide what you have to live with and rest is all BS for me.

Are there no transparent cables, which do nothing to the sound? Wouldn't such cables be the best?

Such stuff is as elusive as 'A perfect Amplifier'

Years ago, a perfect amp was compared to a
'straight wire with gain'

Only, today it is generally accepted that there is no 'straight' wire...

There is a Twist to everything !

Oh guys thanks for all your feedback.
Soulforged,
Thanks for pointing out Kimber PBJ, I went through the reviews and they have have fantastic ratings all over...how could I miss them

Bombaywalla,
Thanks for your suggestion.
DH Labs BL 1 looks like a very good interconnect and more also within my budget.

Now heres the million dollar question for me, Which one among these ?

1. Kimber PBJ
2. DH Labs BL-1

Please guys, help me with your experiences.

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Such stuff is as elusive as 'A perfect Amplifier' Years ago, a perfect amp was compared to a 'straight wire with gain' Only, today it is generally accepted that there is no 'straight' wire... There is a Twist to everything ! ;)

Then, why does Deaf go on about Gamut being very natural? Or doesn't natural mean transparent? I went thru the thread started by abhi about natural sound, but it didn't reach any satisfying conclusion.

Or did Deaf say that the Gamut was "more" natural than other amps? Hmmmm....I'll have to check that again.

Hi,

Is it worth ordering Monster Ultra RCA - audio interconnects - 4 ft - costing $10 from Radio shack? My OM LSB has planned a lightning trip to India from US. I will request him to procure it for me.

Then, why does Deaf go on about Gamut being very natural? Or doesn't natural mean transparent? I went thru the thread started by abhi about natural sound, but it didn't reach any satisfying conclusion. Or did Deaf say that the Gamut was "more" natural than other amps? Hmmmm....I'll have to check that again.

I was referring to 'Perfect' in my post.

Deaf may have referred to 'Natural'.

You are referring to 'Transparent' .


'Natural' Is Not The Same As 'Perfect'

'Natural' is not the same as 'Transparent'

and nothing is 'Perfect' ....

'Natural' Is Not The Same As 'Perfect' 'Natural' is not the same as 'Transparent' and nothing is 'Perfect' ....

nice one, Amp_nut.

Amp_Nut schrieb:

'Natural' Is Not The Same As 'Perfect' 'Natural' is not the same as 'Transparent' and nothing is 'Perfect' .... :D

Ok, natural is not the same as transparent.( I don't really understand, but let it be for now :P) But as far as cables go, why isn't transparent = perfect? Wouldn't you prefer to reduce the number of variables in your playback system?

well the problem is.. Even if you have a "Transparent Cable", how would you know ???

because

1. The speaker is not 100% transparent
2. neither is the amp/pre amp
3. neither is the Source player
4. neither is the recording on the media
5. neither is the mixing process
6. neither is the microphone used to record

And i am not even bringing the effect of room acoustics and cables and the power supply into picture here.

One analogy which comes to the mind is, think of all the above components as different glass windows and the original piece as an object at the end of it all.

the image of the Object that you see at the other end via all tha glasses is what you actually get to hear of the "Live" recording.
even if one of the glasses is "Off colour" correction in any one of the subsequent glasses will still not get you a true picture !

Additionally the difference brought about by a cable is definitely Audible but not at all that significant as much as an impact the room or any of the active components will have.

All that is ok but what about this:

Now heres the million dollar question for me, Which one among these ? 1. Kimber PBJ 2. DH Labs BL-1

abhi.pani schrieb:

Oh guys thanks for all your feedback. Soulforged, Thanks for pointing out Kimber PBJ, I went through the reviews and they have have fantastic ratings all over...how could I miss them Bombaywalla, Thanks for your suggestion. DH Labs BL 1 looks like a very good interconnect and more also within my budget. Now heres the million dollar question for me, Which one among these ? 1. Kimber PBJ 2. DH Labs BL-1 Please guys, help me with your experiences.

well, I'm not a Kimber fan at all. After listening to a few of his cables such as PBJ (which stands for Peanut Butter Jelly & for Americans it is a basic food. Hence implying a basic cable. It used to be his entry-level cable until he created that "Tonic" model), Hero (which I own still but is in my HT setup), Silver Streak & KCAG, I realized that if one wanted the kind of sound that I was looking for - as far neutral as possible - then I had to spend money on his "Select" cables. The Silver Streak was harsh - silver forward conductor & copper return (hence the Ag "streak" name). The KCAG was much better as it was pure silver all the way thru. However, it costed too much & I'm not a silver cable fan - they ring too much!
So, I'm for DH Labs BL-1.

Hi Bombaywalla,
Thanks for your clear-cut reply...that helped
Just a simple question, what characteristic sound can I expect in the BL-1 ? I mean what areas do they affect (positively or negatively). I beleive every cable/IC would do something to the sound, so what does BL-1 do to the sound ?

Yes, Even I have heard good reviews about the MS 902i.


Since this thread is already dealing with speakers, i thought i could also put in one of my queries.

For the fronts and center one should always consider the best which sounds good and which his pocket can handle. But what about surrounds how important are they. considering that they are used to output the effects present in the movie.

Do you think that there also one needs to consider the a good quality of speakers (902i costing 12K) or any low-end speaker (like sony's costing 1500 rs.) can be used.

need your inputs/opinions.


regards - Sunil Yohannan

SUNILYO schrieb:

Yes, Even I have heard good reviews about the MS 902i. Since this thread is already dealing with speakers, i thought i could also put in one of my queries. For the fronts and center one should always consider the best which sounds good and which his pocket can handle. But what about surrounds how important are they. considering that they are used to output the effects present in the movie. Do you think that there also one needs to consider the a good quality of speakers (902i costing 12K) or any low-end speaker (like sony's costing 1500 rs.) can be used. need your inputs/opinions. regards - Sunil Yohannan

Wrong thread buddy..

abhi.pani schrieb:

Hi Bombaywalla, Thanks for your clear-cut reply...that helped Just a simple question, what characteristic sound can I expect in the BL-1 ? I mean what areas do they affect (positively or negatively). I beleive every cable/IC would do something to the sound, so what does BL-1 do to the sound ?

hmmmmmmmmm..................
this is going to be a tough one to explain:-
I listen differently than you do,
my system is different than yours,
my room is different than yours,
& so the results are going to be different for you & me!

if your electronics is not good enough, this silver-clad copper cable could make your high freq brittle. I can hear this in a lesser system of mine. In my ref system, it's sound is totally different.
In my system, the midrange is fantastic.
The bass is also very good. It's not the deepest bass I've heard but the entire audio spectrum is very balanced thru this cable.
For the price paid for this cable, the sound is fantastically neutral.

Now, it's mostly upto your electronics.

Which Gauge of Speaker Cable is the best?
Different reviews online advices to use 12 or 14 gauge wire.

And should we use a 2-conductor or 4-conductor speaker cable?

abhi.pani schrieb:

SUNILYO schrieb: Yes, Even I have heard good reviews about the MS 902i. Since this thread is already dealing with speakers, i thought i could also put in one of my queries. For the fronts and center one should always consider the best which sounds good and which his pocket can handle. But what about surrounds how important are they. considering that they are used to output the effects present in the movie. Do you think that there also one needs to consider the a good quality of speakers (902i costing 12K) or any low-end speaker (like sony's costing 1500 rs.) can be used. need your inputs/opinions. regards - Sunil Yohannan Wrong thread buddy.. ;)

Thanks Abhi,

What a silly mistake... guess i am too fast in putting up my posts

juggy_25 schrieb:

Which Gauge of Speaker Cable is the best? Different reviews online advices to use 12 or 14 gauge wire. And should we use a 2-conductor or 4-conductor speaker cable?

we are talking interconnects in this thread!! maybe you want to start another thread?

we are talking interconnects in this thread!! maybe you want to start another thread?

Bombaywalla aren't you aware that it's speaker cables which come after IC's..and in our forum anything can be discussed under any topic.. I just hijacked kousik's thread and having some fun with our old buddy Abhi Pani.. When speaker cables are discussed you be prepared for lots of questions..

we are talking interconnects in this thread!! maybe you want to start another thread?

Bombaywalla aren't you aware that it's speaker cables which come after IC's..and in our forum anything can be discussed under any topic.. I just hijacked kousik's thread and having some fun with our old buddy Abhi Pani.. When speaker cables are discussed you be prepared to answer lots of questions..

SUB_BOSS schrieb:

Bombaywalla aren't you aware that it's speaker cables which come after IC's..

No, man! this is news to me!

SUB_BOSS schrieb:

and in our forum anything can be discussed under any topic..

I earnestly wish that you guys do not do this!
it becomes very difficult to search the archives for info at some later date. I (& many others) often search these audio forum archives for info & it really pays to keep separate topics in distinct threads.
I hope that we can also put a little discipline into ourselves & do the same rather than letting every thread wander everywhere!

SUB_BOSS schrieb:

I just hijacked kousik's thread and having some fun with our old buddy Abhi Pani.. When speaker cables are discussed you be prepared to answer lots of questions.. :D

Spanish Inquisition, kya?

bombaywalla schrieb:

SUB_BOSS schrieb: and in our forum anything can be discussed under any topic.. I earnestly wish that you guys do not do this! it becomes very difficult to search the archives for info at some later date. I (& many others) often search these audio forum archives for info & it really pays to keep separate topics in distinct threads. I hope that we can also put a little discipline into ourselves & do the same rather than letting every thread wander everywhere!

I agree. In another thread someone's asking about the diff between pre, power and int amps. Now this was answered by me just a few weeks ago but just can't find that previous thread so I can post him a link!!