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Blue Jeans Cables
Thank God for that!
The top of the line Steren cables are as good as anything and very inexpensive.
http://www.sterenusa.com/catalog/product...&posicion=2
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?h...ed=0CCkQ8wIwAg#
http://www.sterenusa.com/catalog/product...&posicion=9
http://www.google.com/products?q=steren+254-215BL&hl=en&aq=f
I can't hear any difference between these and cables that cost 10 times as much.
Audio Advisor almost always has some good cables on a deep discount.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/clearance.as...p;amp;view_all=
Or, since cables are one of those product that sound better after break in...try the Cable Store for used cables...
http://www.usedcable.com/
Very good service and always as advertised.
Can you handle a soldering iron?
If so try thin, solid core silver wire, plaited with Eichmann plugs as termination. Don't know if that's your idea of cheap but the combination leaves for dead cables costing obscene amounts of money.
here you go.
cheap as chips. sound great. pride of creation..
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=740215
i use these in my studio.
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/
All you could ask in a cable.
I guess those are OK....for "mid fi."
Entry to Mid-Line Transparent Cable.
Very low quality cables. Basically, el-cheapo junk.
My experience has been that I get the best performance at a reasonable price from Audioquest cables.
Most of my main stereo system has balanced connections, which are far far better, but where I must use unbalanced cables I get best results with the Audioquest Copperhead and Diamondback cables.
You can't lose with Audioquest cables. Tried and true over the course of time. Do you remember back when Stereophile use to rave about Audioquest and their reference AudioTruth Lapis x3 and Diamond?
I really like those cables.
My entry level cabling was StraightWire. Great no nonsense cables at reasonable prices as well.
Gotta call BS on you for that.
I would bet you you couldn't distinguish between your fave cable and BJ in a properly administered blind test.
But if you want to delude yourself and waste your money that is your right.
In fact I have some 3,000.00 speaker cable I'd be happy to sell you
I bought it when I was still as deluded as you are now. I replaced it with magnet wire. Sounds the same.
You are doing a diservice to the OP in dissing such a well made cable as the BJ line.
Just more deluded audiophile snobbery.
Where is DUP when you need him ?
Kimber's PBJ is an inexpensive cable that could serve as your reference from which to listen to other cables over a period of time. I wouldn't spend a dime on cables until you have a benchmark from which to judge whether more expensive cables are worth it and the PBJ is a little wonder in its own right.
I have heard alot about DUP. Who is this guy? enlighten me.
I did the Kimber Select.. and liked them alot.
DUP was a rabid cable naysayer who some liked, some hated
He would go on and on and on.............about teh magic wire.
Look for any poster who spells "the" as "teh" often, it might be DUP in disguise.
BTW, I appreciate your non offensive response to my rather testy post. And I don't even have a B'day as an excuse
BTW 2 Happy B'day.
Yes, I do use heavy gauge magnet wire for speaker cables. There is a cheap product named Anti Cables but it is even cheaper to buy the wire and strip the ends of the coating.
I couldn't hear a diff. sighted or blind in my rather resolving system.
I was wondering what your objections are to BJ cables? I have seen and heard some of their cables and they are well made and sound like any other competently made cable I've heard.
I do respect the owner. He is a former attorney who backed down Monster Cable tried to sue him. Monster is the evil empire of cable manufacturers, IMHO. Monster sue everyone. It is almost funny until one thinks of all the companies M has intimidated. M. got it's comeuppence when they tangled with BJ.
I tried a pair of BJ LC-1 unbalanced I/C's with my ML336. I heard a low hum. I tried them on a friends Bryston 14B SST amp, and I heard the same hum, but more pronounced.
Of course, it could have just been a defective cable. Never really investigated it. I canned them and opted for a set of unbalanced StraightWire Maestro. Hum disappeared.
But, major Kudo's to BJ for taking on Monster. I hate Monster cable for the same reasons you state. Overrated in my opinion.
These days it is Acoustic Zen throughout my entire system, power cords included.
Transparent makes one heck of a cable, the best I have had in my system, but not cheap though they run trade in deals now and again.
Got to agree...this cable punches way above its price..it took transparent cable 4 times as pricey to beat it.
Thanks for all the ideas! PBJ was a route I was considering, and I think that will be the ticket. At least for the stereo out, if not for the 7.1.
Trey
Unshielded cable, in a location consisting of a ratsnest of cables...I would rethink that.
I did not have that problem but my system is pretty simple. I still believe he should try the cable companies used cable dept. I would bet he could cut his cable costs by 40% or more and get better cables in the bargain.
I have a similar need as the OP, and also like the PBJ's. My cables will be running down a PVC tube within an insulated wall (to connect between two shelves). The shielding looks thin on the PBJ's - is there an issues with running them in such a way?
Other items I am considering (would either be better giving the wall-run?)
- Audio Quest : G-Snake, Sidewinder, or Copperhead
- Blue Jean Cables
I like the idea of the Blue Jean Cables (simple, well made, price, etc) but am curious if there is a difference I would notice between them and the Audio Quest or PBJ. My system is around $5K. Cayin Tube amp (upgrading tubes now) and CD player, Dali Ikon 6 speakers, MMF 2.1 turn table with upgraded needle.
Any thoughts appreciated.
PBJ cables have no shielding whatsoever - just the dielectric cover on the individual wires.
If the wires are away from electrical lines and the speaker cables you should fine. If the PBJs run parallel to AC power lines or speaker cable you may have problems.
yes, in fact they will be run with the speaker cable - not the power. Great advice, I'll look to the other vendors.
I tried Kimber Silver Streak. The lack of a shield allowed RFI. I settled on DH Labs IC's and speaker cable. IMO it's reasonably priced and sounds like it costs a lot more.
If it's within the budget, the King Cobra has a very similar signature as the PBJ and is shielded. I've never had any shielding problems with the PBJ, but I can certainly see where that could be an issue depending on the circumstances.