Recommended Components

2013 Recommended Components Cables

Loudspeaker Cables & Interconnects

Editor’s Note: Rather than place cables in the usual “Recommended Components” classes, we’ve just listed those cables that members of the magazine’s review team either have chosen to use on a long-term basis or have found to offer good value for money. They are therefore implicitly recommended. Where a cable has been found to have specific matching requirements or an identifiable sonic signature, it is noted in the text. “Try before you buy” is mandatory with cables; many dealers have a loaner stock to make this easier.

Interconnects

Audience Au24e: $990/1m pair, unbalanced; $1595/1m pair, balanced
The updated version of Audience's Au24 uses the same conductors, materials, and construction as the original, but requires a much more labor-intensive process to attach the terminations to the cable. With a tonal balance that fell midway between the cool-sounding Nordost Valhalla and the warmer Nirvana SL, the Audience Au24e had a powerful and immediate sound, with huge, fast, clean dynamics and transients. Compared to the original Au24, the "e" version had greater transparency and resolution, said BD. Costs to upgrade an original Au24 to "e" status are $195 unbalanced, $225 balanced. (Vol.33 No.6 Read Review Online)
Audience Au24: $795/1m pair, unbalanced, $455/additional meter; $1350/1m pair, balanced, $845/additional meter ✩
The Au24s had a neutral, relaxed sound, said BD, "with good extension at the frequency extremes and a wide, deep soundstage." However, they did not reach the density of tonal colors and the extreme inner detail of the expensive Nordost Valhalla. Nor could they match the Nirvana S-X Ltds.' incredibly natural soundstage reproduction. Nevertheless, "The Au24s were no slouch, just a bit off the standard set by the very best I've heard." (Vol.25 No.8 Read Review Online)
Cardas Clear: $1840/1m pair, terminated in RCAs
Partnered with the Clear speaker cables, these interconnects added measures of resolving power and timbral coherence to JM's system. (Vol.33 No.10 Read Review Online)
Fono Acustica Armónico: $6850/1m pair
See "Loudspeaker Cables." $1300 each additional 0.5m; balanced version fitted with XLRs: $8100/1m pair, add 0.5m: $1,500. (Vol.34 No.6)
JPS Labs Aluminata: $3499/1m pair RCA or XLR, $700/additional 0.5m ✩
This unusual and expensive interconnect, comprising a quartet of 15-gauge solid-core Alumiloy conductors insulated with Kapton and terminated with WBT locking phono plugs, made AD's system sound larger, "with a more convincing gradation of scale between the extremes." See also "Loudspeaker Cables." (Vol.30 No.4 Read Review Online)
Kimber Hero: $310/1m with WBT-0114
The "strong, silent type" when it comes to cables, says the inestimable JM. "And reasonably priced, into the bargain." (NR, but see "The Fifth Element" in Vol.33 No.6 Read Review Online)
Kimber PBJ: $110/1m pair, as reviewed
Originally released in the late 1980s, PBJ is a minimalist design comprising three high-quality, multistrand wires in individual Teflon jackets, braided together and terminated with Kimber's Ultraplate connectors. With the PBJs in his system, SM heard greater clarity, detail, depth, and presence. Compared to AudioQuest's Sidewinder, the PBJ lacked body and warmth but was more muscular, insistent, and precise, said SM. (Vol.35 No.6 Read Review Online)
Kimber Kable Tonik: $80/1m
Kimber's most affordable interconnect uses three stranded copper wires neatly braided in a noise-canceling pattern. Though they lacked the resolution of much more expensive interconnects, the Toniks "offered clarity without brightness, and reasonably good amounts of color, texture, and touch. For $80, that was A-okay with me," said AD. Price includes Kimber's Ultratike connectors. (Vol.34 No.11 Read Review Online)
Kubala-Sosna Anticipation: $400/m pair; $150/additional meter ✩
Like the K-S speaker cables (see "Loudspeaker Cables"), the K-S interconnects are based on a low characteristic impedance and solid construction. The results are uncolored sound and extremely low noise pickup. (Vol.29 No.7 Read Review Online)
MIT CVT Terminator 2: $499/1m pair ✩
Cut from the same sonic cloth as the CVT Terminator 2 speaker cable, this interconnect had a detailed, uncolored midrange, and offered superb dynamic articulation. Compared to MIT's older, more expensive MI-350 CVTwin, the CVT Terminator 2 had greater bass extension, clarity, and high-level dynamic slam. (Vol.31 No.10 Read Review Online)
Nordost Valhalla: $4500/m pair, with WBT Nextgen RCA or XLR (+$600/0.5m pair) ✩
Although these cables are "insanely expensive," BD was sure that you'll love what they do for your system. Images were detailed, distinct, and densely filled-in and three-dimensional. The soundstage moved out farther than BD had ever experienced. However, while it was obvious that the Valhallas were special, it was also obvious that they had a distinct tonal signature. BD wrote, "The system always had a lighter, drier sound with the Nordost—the tonal balance was shifted slightly upward, and the overall presentation was a touch cooler than with other wires." RD: "Expensive, but, boy, are they good!" BD's long-term reference. (Vol.24 No.11 Read Review Online)
Pure Silver Connection (PSC) PST 8: $708/1m pair ✩
Balanced interconnects featuring solid, silver-plated 6N copper and round conductors. LG reported that they reduced system hum problems and were "highly recommended!" (NR)
RadioShack Catalog #42-487: $6.99/3' pair
An extremely affordable interconnect with unfussy RCA terminations, the RadioShack lacked clarity, speed, detail, and nuance, but got the job done, said SM. (Vol.34 No.8 Read Review Online)
Signal Cable Analog One: $36/2' pair
The thin, flexible Analog One has 18AWG oxygen-free copper conductors and tight-fitting gold-plated RCA plugs. Compared to the RadioShack 42-487 interconnect, the Analog One offered a more organized and forceful portrayal of the music, with rounder bass, cleaner highs, and faster transients, said SM. $4/pair each additional foot. (Vol.34 No.8 Read Review Online)
Signal Cable Analog Two: $49/2' pair
Less flexible and a bit thicker than Signal Cable's Analog One, the Analog Two has a coaxial construction: Its 22AWG center conductor of bare copper is surrounded first by Teflon insulation, then by a shield of bare, braided copper wire, and finally by an outer jacket of Teflon. Compared to the Analog One, the Analog Two seemed slightly faster, more insistent, and more assertive and forceful, said SM, who preferred the Analog One's more laid-back sound. $6/pair each additional foot. Terminated with Neutrik Profi plug: add $40/pair. (Vol.34 No.8 Read Review Online)
Stealth Sakra interconnect: $11,000/1m, $7000 each additional meter; balanced version fitted with XLRs: $14,000/1m pair, $10,000 each additional meter
Lightweight, very flexible, and finished in an outer jacket of near-opalescent white, the Sakra interconnect is built into a hermetically sealed, helium-filled tube and terminated with proprietary solid-silver connectors. The overall sound was open and clean, with lightning-fast attacks, generous sustains, and long decays. Compared to the TARA Labs Zero, the Sakra had a bit more midrange body and texture but lacked some air and speed, felt Mikey. (Vol.34 No.6)
TARA Labs The Zero: $15,900/1m ✩
The Zero, now called the Zero Gold, is an air-dielectric–evacuated interconnect with noninsulated conductors. (The air pressure inside the cable is nowhere near a vacuum, however.) Because neither end of The Zero's shield is attached to ground, TARA employs the Floating Ground Station, a heavy, black box containing Ceralex, a combination of ceramic materials and metallic compounds that absorbs RFI and EMI. MF's system benefited from an enormous addition of lushness, texture, and warmth, along with major extensions of air, detail, and transparency. Due to The Zero's ultrawide bandwidth, some outside transient noise can leak into the system when nearby appliances are activated. But "True vacuum or not, I've heard nothing like it," he declares, adding "a genuine breakthrough though hideously expensive. Sonically similar to the ZenSati #1, the TARA Labs Zero had a fast, clean, open overall sound, with airy highs and tight bass. Though it lacked the rich, textured midrange of the Stealth Sakra, the Zero produced faster attacks, longer sustains, and deeper decays, said MF. "A few readers with "F" You" money took a chance and thanked me. Names available upon request." (Vol.29 No.12, Vol.34 No.6 Read Review Online)
TARA Labs Zero GX DIN-to-RCA tonearm cable: $3800/1.0m ✩
Though it was "somewhat bereft of physicality," the Zero GX's accentuated sibilants and precise attack made it "a good choice for detail devotees," said MF. (Vol.32 No.7)

Class K

XLO UltraPlus, AudioQuest Wild, Kimber Hero, AudioQuest William E. Lowe Reference, Sain Line Systems Balanced Pure Reference, Crystal Cable, Acrolink 7N-DA6100 Mexcel.

Class Deletions

Nordost Heimdall significantly revised since review; Graham Music Groove 2 DIN-to-RCA tonearm cable no longer available; Crystal Cable Micro & Ultra DIN-to-RCA tonearm cables, Furutech Ag-12 DIN-to-RCA tonearm cable, Momentum Signature DIN-to-RCA tonearm cable, Esoteric 8N LE Reference DIN-to-RCA tonearm cable, Kubala-Sosna Emotion DIN-to-RCA tonearm cable, Teo Audio Super PDL not auditioned in a long time.

Loudspeaker Cables

Audience Au24: $1925/3m pair, single wire, $450/additional meter; $3450/3m pair, biwire, $845 additional meter ✩
"It was as a speaker cable that the Au24 really shone." BD actually preferred the Au24 to his reference Valhalla in terms of tonal balance, imaging, resolution of inner detail, and soundstaging. (Vol.25 No.8 Read Review Online)
Audience Au24e: $1795.50/2m pair
Original Au24 can be upgraded to "e" status for $300. $400 each additional meter. See "Interconnects." JA found the Au24e to sound too warm with the Vivid B1s. (Vol.33 No.6, Vol. 34 No.10 Read Review Online)
AudioQuest Rocket 33: $299/10ft pair
AudioQuest's 14AWG, solid-core Rocket 33 speaker cable offered an exciting leap in performance over SM's RadioShack Flat Megacable speaker wire, infusing music with more low-level resolution, transient speed, clarity, and physicality. (Vol.34 No.9 Read Review Online)
Cardas Clear: $5500/3.5m pair, terminated in spades
JM was most impressed by the Cardas Clear's low-frequency clarity and resolution, finding the Clear to give two or three more bass notes on a pipe organ, with a lower noise floor and "spooky" resolution compared with his reference MIT MH-770 CVTerminator cables. "The best-sounding cables I have heard," he concluded. JA agrees that these are fine-sounding cables. (Vol.33 No.10 Read Review Online)
DNM Stereo Solid Core Precision: $12/ft pair, plus termination ✩
Each conductor comprises a single solid wire molded into the dielectric so that the positive and negative runs are spaced precisely and consistently from one another. The four connectors required for a stereo system are molded together, side by side, for greater control over spacing and, consequently, electromagnetic interference with the audio signal. Compared to the Nordost Flatline, the DNM cable sounded "ever so slightly smoother, with a not-so-slight improvement in spatial focus," said AD. When used with his Shindo Cortese amp and Audio Note AN-E/SPe loudspeakers, however, the DNM's smoothness sounded "a bit uninteresting and lacking in texture," he decided. (Vol.31 No.3 Read Review Online)
JPS Labs Aluminata: $8999/8ft pair, $1200/additional 2ft pair ✩
The Aluminata's insulated conductor cores are surrounded by a thick blanket of granulated aluminum, densely packed and held in place with a polymer jacket. The 6" leads at the ends of the cables are 8-gauge stranded alloy wires insulated with Teflon and terminated with the buyer's choice of WBT spade lugs or locking banana plugs. The Aluminatas offered superb tunefulness, rhythm, and musical flow, along with a spacious, smooth, and noiseless presentation. "Without a doubt and by a significant margin, the best audio cables I've used," raved AD. Somewhat unwieldy. (Vol.30 No.4 Read Review Online)
Kimber 8TC: $460/10ft pair w/o connectors
(NR, but see "The Fifth Element" in Vol.33 No.6 Read Review Online)
Kimber 8VS: $260/10ft pair, as reviewed
Kimber's 8VS is made up of eight gray and eight black conductors in individual polyethylene jackets, braided together and terminated in a choice of high-quality spade lugs or banana plugs. Compared to AudioQuest's Rocket 33, the 8VS lacked body and warmth but offered greater clarity and control, said SM. Compared to Kimber's 4PR, the 8VS offered similar tonal qualities but presented music with even greater urgency, drama, and purpose, said SM. Price is $220/10ft pair without connectors, $260/10ft pair with bananas. (Vol.35 Nos.6 & 7 Read Review Online)
Kimber 4PR: $130/10ft pair, as reviewed
Practically unchanged since its introduction in 1979, the 4PR is Kimber's most affordable speaker cable. It employs the same braided geometry found in the company's more expensive 8VS, but instead of the 8VS's eight gray and eight black conductors, the 4PR has four pairs each of black and brown conductors in an apparently looser braid. Compared to RadioShack's inexpensive 16-gauge zip cord, the 4PR offered greater nuance, detail, clarity, and bass control, said SM. Price is $90/10ft pair without connectors. (Vol.35 No.7 Read Review Online)
Kubala-Sosna Fascination: $950/m pair; $300/additional meter ✩
Kubala-Sosna claims that their OptimiZ technology "results in a lower characteristic impedance and a higher ratio of capacitance to inductance than any other cable." Each cable consists of a hefty pair of conductors twisted around each other, sheathed with a knitted cover, and solidly terminated in thick spade lugs. The current versions have sleek, tight jackets that make them easy to snake and arrange. With the K-S cables in his system, KR noted a decrease in overall residual hiss and softer but more precise highs. "I can’t say that the change is substantial, but it is definable." Further auditioning with his multi-channel system completely wired with K-S cables led him to describe these cables as among the quietest and most transparent cables he has encountered: "Overall, they seem to get out of the way of everything else and let the system do its thing." (Vol.28 No.3, Vol.29 No.7 Read Review Online)
MIT CVT Terminator 2: $999/8ft pair ✩
Compared with earlier MIT cable designs, the CVT Terminator 2 has additional "pole networks" for wider bandwidth, and adds the CVT Coupler input module to minimize energy reflection. It offered "clear, crisp, clean highs" and outstanding dynamic articulation, but had "a touch of warmth" in the low end, said BJR. Biwire version costs $1299/8ft pair. (Vol.31 No.10 Read Review Online)
Naim NACA5: $45/m $$$ ✩
Inexpensive spaced-twin cable that ST found to work well with the Spendor S100 loudspeaker. Unchanged in Naim's product line since 1986, the NACA5 is made of two chunky runs of stranded heavy-gauge wire twisted into a very tight bundle and molded into a thick sheath of Teflon. "Stiffer than Swedish roadkill," said AD. Compared to RadioShack's inexpensive SW-1650 speaker wire, however, the unwieldy NACA5 was better at communicating pitch relationships and had "a more realistic sense of flow." Worth investigating as a good-value cable, thinks JA. (Vol.32 No.8 Read Review Online)
Nirvana Audio S-X Ltd.: $2780/2.5m pair ✩
"A dynamite speaker cable," the S-X Ltd. was tonally neutral and produced well-defined images, powerful and fast transients, and incredible transparency. The only nit BD could pick was a slight compression of front-to-back soundstaging depth. "A big jump in performance from the company's SL." Add $50/pair for biwire configuration. (Vol.28 No.10 Read Review Online)
Nordost Valhalla: $5599.99/m pair, with banana-plug or spade termination (plus $1100/0.5m pair) ✩
The Valhalla contains 40 silver-plated copper micro-monofilament conductors, each polished and wrapped with a monofilament spacer prior to encapsulation in the Teflon ribbon. Similar to the Valhalla interconnect, the speaker cable's overall presentation was "clean, airy, and detailed," according to BD, "without ever being over-etched or harsh....The portrayal was incredibly compelling from top to bottom, but the midrange...seemed almost holographic....[They] sounded almost relaxed—but still clean and precise—and their images were dense, detailed, and dimensional." An AD favorite. (Vol.24 No.11 Read Review Online)
RadioShack Catalog #278-1273: $26.99/50'
RadioShack's simple, inexpensive 14AWG braided speaker wire worked in SM's system, but lacked the clarity, physicality, speed, delicacy, and grace of the much more expensive AudioQuest Rocket 33. (Vol.34 No.9 Read Review Online)
RadioShack Catalog #278-1267 16-Gauge Clear 2-Conductor Speaker Wire: $16.99/50' ✩
Though "easier to install and to live with" than Naim's unwieldy NACA5, RadioShack's 16-gauge speaker wire tended to smear bottom-octave pitch relationships, resulting in a less natural overall sound. Nevertheless, "the RadioShack cable played music well enough," said AD. "Crazy-high value that makes an 89-cent can of Bon Ami seem extravagant," he sums up. (Vol.32 No.8 Read Review Online)
Stealth Dream V10: $12,400/2m pair, $6000 each additional meter
The hermetically sealed, helium-filled Dream V10 is a thick yet flexible cable made of three flat solid-silver wires and a conductive carbon-fiber core. Compared to the TARA Labs Omega Onyx, the Stealth cable had a richer, warmer sound, with a softer attack for a slower overall musical flow. Partnered with the Stealth Sakra interconnects, the Dream V10 cable produced a more textured midrange but lacked the TARA's upper-octave air, said MF. Bi-wiring adds $1300 regardless of cables" length. (Vol.34 No.6)

Class K

XLO UltraPlus, AudioQuest Wild, Kimber 8TC, AudioQuest William E. Lowe Reference, Crystal Cable, Wireworld Gold Eclipse 3+, Harmonic Technology Improved Magic Woofer/Tweeter cables, Acrolink 7N-S20000 Mexcel

Class Deletions

Nordost Heimdall significantly revised since review; AudioQuest Gibraltar no longer available; Pure Silver Connection (PSC) R50 not auditioned in a long time.

Digital Data Interconnects

Analysis Plus Digital Oval: $190/1m
Replacing his older digital interconnects with the Analysis Plus Digital Oval resulted in improved dynamics, and more low-level detail, said ST. Current version fitted with RCA, XLR, or BNC connectors. (Vol.31 No.10)
AudioQuest Forest iPod–USB cable: $35
If you use your iPod or iPhone plugged into your system with the ubiquitous white USB cable, pick up this inexpensive replacement. Bits may be bits, but you’ll be gob-smacked by the improvement in sound quality sez JA. (NR)
Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F: approx. $19.37/3ft $$$ ✩
Before you try any of the expensive coaxial links, CG advises trying this inexpensive, true 75 ohm cable with Canare crimp RCA connectors. He rates it as his first choice in a digital cable at any price, even preferring it to the Kimber AGDL. JA uses the 110-ohm version in various lengths for CD mastering. (Vol.16 No.7)
DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU: $99/1m
(NR, but see EL's review of the Bel Canto DAC3.5VB in Vol.34 No.6 Read Review Online)
Kimber Orchid: $695/1m ✩
Expensive, but the best AES/EBU link JA has used. J-10 loved the Orchid's midrange liquidity and detail, but preferred Illumination's S/PDIF cable overall. SD (almost) doesn't equivocate: "Probably the best out there for now....A stunner!" RH and RD are also fans. New lower price usefully brings this cable in reach of more music lovers. (Vol.19 No.5)
Kubala-Sosna Expression: $775/m, $210/additional meter ✩
A KR favorite. See "Loudspeaker Cables." (Vol.29 No.7 Read Review Online)
Transparent Audio Performance USB: $95/1m
The Performance USB uses heavy-gauge conductors, robust connectors, and high-quality dielectrics and shielding, and can be used in runs of up to 30'. In addition to being significantly more durable than Art's reference Belkin cable, the Performance USB was quieter and produced blacker silences. Price increases by $20 for each additional meter. (Vol.33 No.1 Read Review Online)

Class K

Cardas AES/EBU cable, AudioQuest Optilink-5, AudioQuest Coffee USB, Nordost Blue Heaven USB.

Class Deletions

Apogee Electronics Wyde-Eye discontinued.

COMMENTS
guitarist9273's picture
Submitted by guitarist9273 on July 19, 2013 - 5:30pm

The Beats Solo HD is now a Stereophile reccomended component... That sounds like a (funny) joke. They're certainly attractive looking & very stylish, but they sound very...well, bad. They're Class D...but I'm genuinely curious as to why they'd be included at all.

There are a lot of decent choices when it comes to headphones in the portable/sealed-on-ear-headphones-under-$300 category, now, that it's hard to see the B&W P3 and the Beats Solo HD making it onto the list. (Anyone interested in heaphones should check out Stereophile' sister online publication on personal-audio/headphones---InnerFidelity.)

Thanks for this awesome compilation, by the way! I sincerely enjoyed reading through such a wide sampling of great loudspeakers, amps & such. The balanced objectivity is always refreshing, considering other publication's purely subjective approach.

RobertSlavin's picture
Submitted by RobertSlavin on July 20, 2013 - 6:19am

Being able to see the photos of the components next to their descriptions, as found in this online version of recommended components, is nice.

However, Stereophile used to charge for this section online. Why is it giving it away for free now?

There's not a tremendous amount of money in magazine publishing. I'd prefer that the magazine make a reasonable amount of money from this section.

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on July 20, 2013 - 9:55am

RobertSlavin wrote:
Stereophile used to charge for this section online. Why is it giving it away for free now?

Unless I am having a senior moment, we never used to charge for on-line access to Recommended Components. In fact, we have only been making it available in its entirety on-line since 2012, which is when we launched our free iPad app.

And regarding charging for it, my bottom-line policy is that the magazine's content should be available free on-line.

John Atkinson

Editor, Stereophile

Poor Audiophile's picture
Submitted by Poor Audiophile on July 20, 2013 - 6:04pm

Thanks for that JA!

EU-USA Stereophile Fan's picture
Submitted by EU-USA Stereoph... on July 24, 2013 - 1:11pm

Maybe some other EU makers could have been included such as Phonar (Germany) or PMC (UK)

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on July 25, 2013 - 5:55am

Quote:
Maybe some other EU makers could have been included such as Phonar (Germany) or PMC (UK)

"Recommended Components" exclusively concerns products that have been reviewed in the magazine. In turn, to be reviewed in Stereophile, a product needs to be available in the US; see  www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/307awsi/index.html.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on July 25, 2013 - 11:58pm

WOW, I love it!  

I think I have memorized the entire RC over the years, and seeing each component again (some for the first time) is wonderful!  

I wonder who went through the trouble of procuring all of those photos for RC online.  

I won't even pretend there will be photos (for the next RC) in the magazine.  I imagine it would be 500 pages long... 

Ariel Bitran's picture
Submitted by Ariel Bitran on July 30, 2013 - 6:40am

photos were gathered by myself and reformatted by Jon Iverson.

Downforce's picture
Submitted by Downforce on July 27, 2013 - 2:11am

Has the excellent Emotiva ERC-2 been discontinued?  And for JA, the link you posted isn't working.  Thanks for the lists.

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on July 27, 2013 - 6:21am

Downforce wrote:
Has the excellent Emotiva ERC-2 been discontinued?

Not according to Emotiva. It's there in Class C of Disc Players.

Downforce wrote:
And for JA, the link you posted isn't working.

Fixed. Thanks.

John Atkinson

Editor, Stereophile

stereomag's picture
Submitted by stereomag on July 27, 2013 - 12:52pm

Wow! Here they (Stereophile) go again. Still no review of any Accuphase preamps. Why is that, Stereophile?

weitn's picture
Submitted by weitn on August 6, 2013 - 5:33am

M30.1 got impressive reviews from Stereophile and Absolute Sound and recommended by both. I have auditioned it and ordered a pair the other day. Out of curiosity, what happened to the M40.1? It was listed in the 2012 recommended list.

destroysall76's picture
Submitted by destroysall76 on August 13, 2013 - 12:14pm

Great recommendations, but I'm curious in the LS50 from KEF. Is it really that much better of a speaker to be a part of the Class A (Restricted LF) over the Harbeth P3ESR and the Proac Tablette?

Also, is the Rega RP1 the better table buy this year over the Project Debut Carbon?

mkrzych's picture
Submitted by mkrzych on July 17, 2014 - 5:57am

Hello,
I've read here that Dali Zensor 1 are in class C (Exteme Restricted LF), so according to your judge those are considered not entry level speakers, am I right?
If so, do you have any suggestions for the speaker cable matching or positioning for these little babies to sound the best? Currently I have Marantz CD5004/PM6004 connected to them over the QED Strand 79 speaker cable. They are on Soundstage Z22 stands.
Is it anything I can do to improve this gear in your opinion?

Thanks for any suggestions.
Krzysztof

MykhailoM's picture
Submitted by MykhailoM on March 15, 2016 - 7:24pm

Good audio cables are surely essential part to any serous audiophile as they deliver a very sensitive signal between your audio gear as it has been said in this page. I have listened to quite a few well known brands such as Russ Andrews cables QED Signature etc. and more often than not the price reflects its qualities. As anything else in audio gear, cables need auditioning on your system. If possible grub 4 or 5 pares from your local dealer in a price range £300 to £600 from different brands and at your own comfort have them checked, I'm pretty sure you will get different results and the better components you have the more evident it will be. In my auditioning experience I prefer small exotic brands, to me they deliver a very good sonic result. I can change components etc. but cable will stay as they are so revealing. Keep your options open and DO audition on your system or at your local Hi-Fi dealer.

MykhailoM's picture
Submitted by MykhailoM on March 15, 2016 - 7:20pm

Everything must be auditioned either interconnects cables or audio components, your ears will be your best judge.

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