btlancaster24
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Audioquest / Monster for computer audio?
commsysman
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btlancaster24 wrote:

I've heard both sides re: cables and am new to this audiophile stuff. Some people say it doesn't make any difference. Others say it does.

I'm using a late '13 iMac, Audioquest Dragonfly 1.2, w/ Klipsch 2.1 computer speakers and an Audioquest Cinnamon ethernet cable with an Arris/Motorola SB6141 modem and the PPC RG6-(copper plated) from my ISP. Also Pure Music from Channel D.

Will it make a difference to upgrade the RG6 to Audioquest (VSD-1(silver plated), VSD-3(silver plated), VSD-5(pure silver) or

Monster cable RG6-(pure copper)??

Also, I've been using the Audioquest Cinnamon ethernet for a while now and haven't noticed any differences. Is this even the correct application for this cable?

I appreciate any and all feedback.

thanks,
Brett

There are various grades of RG6, but the only real difference is the signal attenuation per meter of cable.

In other words, the only reason to use a higher-grade cable would be if you were making an extremely long run and signal loss was a problem; not likely in your case.

btlancaster24
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Thanks. What about the Audioquest Cinnamon Ethernet?

commsysman
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Audioquest has both a CAT-7 cable and a HDMI cable that are described as "Cinnamon Ethernet".

In either case, they are way overpriced.

For the CAT-7 cable, get Monoprice #10687 or 10688 or 10690 etc.; under $10 and high quality.

For the HDMI cable, get Monoprice #4965 or 4966 or 4967 etc.; under $10 and high quality OR the "Amazon Basics" HDMI cable, which I use and is very good.

If a cable meets the technical specs, there is no reason to buy a "name brand" for this type of application.

Some of the really cheap HDMI cables are crappy, but there are good ones that are fairly cheap.

btlancaster24
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Thanks

hcsunshine
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I have some monoprice XLR cables going from my pre amp to amps ($17/pair) and they sound great.

Demondog
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I can't say this enough, Blue Jeans Cables are at a nice price and quality level for me. More than Monoprice, but not bad at all for, built-to-order in Seattle Wa, mainstream cable products. Very good quality, but nothing fancy, except maybe the ultrasonically welded spade terminals on a 10-gauge, 12ft pair of speaker cables that cost me about $80 or so. I found them easy to communicate with by email when I needed a set of XLR-to-RCA cables made, that weren't available as a standard product on their web site. Since they are local to me, I have received a few orders next day. But never more than a couple days for the order to be shipped.

I know this reads like an ad, though I have no connection to the company, just that I think they fill a nice niche in the cable market, and I've come to really like doing business with them, and hope they continue to succeed. So if you are looking for a step up from the lowest priced imported cables, but want to pay for cables without hype, maybe BJC for a look.

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I've heard of BJC from a guy on Computer Audiophile. I might have to give them a try. thanks.

rrstesiak
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This is only my opinion, but I take this hobby of mine very seriously and do thorough research before I invest my money in any equipment... In my experience, I have found cables do in fact make a significant difference when dealing with analog signals; such as speaker cables and audio interconnects between analog inputs of different components.

Again, only my opinion, but I believe spending more than $30 on decent Ethernet or coax cable is just wasted money and one will notice absolutely no sonic difference; unless you have a very unusual noise / crosstalk problem. If you currently do not have any errors or issues with current digital cabling,save your money and upgrade somewhere else in your system.

For what it's worth, I used to be a Network Engineer, and see no benefit in upgrading digital signal carrying cables in an audiophile system.

After thinking about your specific system, I would look at speakers as a potential next upgrade. Your Klipsch specifications are actually quite good , but if you're discussing AudioQuest cables, aim higher than the current speakers. That is where you will hear the most improvement. If you're content with the sound/clarity/bass/ imaging of current speakers then just save the money for something else. When you already have good sounding speakers, it's hard to imagine getting a better sound. But in your system, I think that is the weakest link. Next to speakers, I would then look at upgrading the DAC. I actually also own the dragonfly, and still use it for laptop/headphones, but for my main stereo I upgraded to a PS Audio DAC. If this is NOT your main system, and if you do not have the budget, leave it as is and save the money instead of a digital cabling upgrade.

I forgot to add: if you are not listening to lossless quality audio as your source files, that will be an immediate and huge sonic upgrade. For example, Even 320kbit mp3's are inferior to even redbook cd from a good source (44.1). My sweet spot seems to be 96/24. 192/24 Is very hard to distinguish and is just where law of deminihsing returns kicks in.

In summary, here are my recommendations:
1. Unless there is a current issue like errors or static noise, do not even bother with a digital cable upgrade.
2. Make sure your source music is at least redbook format or greater
3. Look at upgrading speakers
4. Look at upgrading DAC
5. Do nothing and enjoy what you have knowing you saved money on an uneccesary digital cable upgrade!

In conclusion, enjoy the music.

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