I have used different interconnect cables on subwoofer towers and main speakers, i did not hear a big difference, maybe because both where in the mogami line of cables. On speaker cables the sound difference was much bigger, even though i just moved from one generation Straightwire Crescendo to the next. I guess it depends on how different the cable respond around the crossover point.
Ron’s New System
- Thread starter Ron Resnick
- Start date
Completely agree. I use different interconnect to my subwoofers as well. Works perfect, and I tried a bunch of cables when I implemeted my subwoofers.
It will also depend on the input of the crossover, so I can't help. The VTL will have -6db in single ended RCA out relative to XLR out - it is in the manual.
What was the crossover frequency and slope? I think it is very relevant in this question.
I have no idea. I'm just noodling at the moment.
I would have to order a pair of 47 foot, single-ended Cardas Clear Beyond interconnects.
Ron, why not simply move your tape machine and your preamp to within a few feet of your amplifiers and try a demo pair of the cables you want for free. In the meantime you should know pretty quickly whether or not it is worth pursuing or not and spending a bunch of money.
What do you hope to gain by trying different cables? Simple curiosity, or do you want to change the sound in a specific direction? Have you identified something you don’t like about what you are hearing with those particular interconnects?
I always find it helps to have identified what you don’t like and know why you are experimenting in a new direction. That way you will know whether or not you are making progress.
What do you hope to gain by trying different cables? Simple curiosity, or do you want to change the sound in a specific direction? Have you identified something you don’t like about what you are hearing with those particular interconnects?
I always find it helps to have identified what you don’t like and know why you are experimenting in a new direction. That way you will know whether or not you are making progress.
Great! Always nice to thinking about a different solution to the approach to nirvana.
You can always try the cables without pulling them trough the walls, and if you like single ended better, ret-terminate the cables you have already laid in situ, half an hour with a soldering gun max.
200 Hz cross-over enters in the medium frequency zone - IMO only experience will help you.
This is a very good question and comment. I don't have enough experience comparing interconnect cables to know if 3 feet will reveal differences in sound as well as 47 feet would.
Yes, simple curiosity. My personal belief is that all cables are like fixed parametric equalizers. (I credit Phil Ressler (213cobra) for this expression.)
Also, by virtually all reports, Cardas Clear Beyond is a well-balanced and musically-engaging sounding interconnect. I wish it didn't have the rhodium plating to which Marty objects, but Cardas won't make custom cables. But I should ask them just in case. (I have no idea if I hear the problem with rhodium that Marty hears, but I would prefer all copper or gold-plated copper connectors just to eliminate the question.)
We know that Cardas extrudes its own copper and fabricates its own cables, so it's a quality product in those materials and construction respects.
If anything I generally have in mind (rightly or wrongly) to "fill out" or to support the cross-over region of the system.
No, because without a direct comparison to an alternative interconnect I don't know what the current interconnects are "doing" sound-wise. They sound fine to me presently -- but that is in a vacuum.
This totally makes sense to me.
I am happy with the system currently. However, given an opportunity to add a little bit of body in the cross-over region without any off-setting negatives, I would do so.
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You can always try the cables without pulling them trough the walls, and if you like single ended better, ret-terminate the cables you have already laid in situ, half an hour with a soldering gun max.
I think you never terminated a Cardas golden reference cable ...These damn things use litz type with ultra thin wires and braids in a very thick insulator with air filled rods - a real nightmare to re-terminate. But it was worth the effort, they are very good sounding.
You can always try the cables without pulling them trough the walls, and if you like single ended better, ret-terminate the cables you have already laid in situ, half an hour with a soldering gun max.
True. But I just would never cut off and then try to re-terminate Cardas Clear Beyond connectors. I virtually never sell anything, but that certainly would kill the resale value of those interconnects. Belden and Mogami I am happy to re-solder! (I have plenty of soldering experience from my Heathkits and amateur radio days.)
By the way, how far in front of your front wall are your ML electrostatic panels presently?
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Ron, since you are simply musing and thinking about stuff, I suggest again that you play with your seat location and see how that affects your goal. I also wonder how your other grounding scheme will change the sound with that goal in mind. These are simple and quick experiments that won’t cost you anything and you might appreciate any sonic differences.
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No, they are not! Sorry, out of context this statement can be extremely misleading. A fixed parametric equalizer modifies the frequency spectrum in a known way, cables do not do it. They modify the sound by other means, but their action depends a lot on the system.
I would love to try Cardas Clear Beyond but they have no distributor in my country. Still own complete looms of Cardas Golden Reference - a real bargain at used prices, unfortunately most of what you find in the net is fake.
The Golden Reference uses just copper.
If possible I like to have the same type of ICs in all my system - I found that the interaction between them is very hard to optimize.
I have played with the seat location backwards and forwards, watching carefully the real time analyzer as I go. The chair is now a few inches forward of where I started.
I have no idea. But that's a good question. Right now the ground planes are A+B (meaning connected together). I could try A or B (separately) as well.