Speaker cables...

[Andrew Pratt]

Okay I know this is a taboo topic but its an interesting topic. I used to sit in the camp that was more geeker then tweaker in that I didn't believe that there were that great a difference between various cables. Maybe it was the lower quality of gear I had or just the cables I'd tried but I didn't hear a difference. Now even though I didn't hear a difference I always figured that there was a difference, its just I wasn't hearing it (I want to believe!) Okay jump forward a couple of years to the present. I was lucky enough to win a set of IXOS interconnects. These use the braided wire concept (gamma weave as IXOS calls it) and so I took the oppertunity to do some pseudo blind tests on a friends system flipping back and forth between the IXOS interconnects and his fat tributaries...well wouldn't you know it I could clearly hear a difference. The way we had it configured was to run both sets of interconnects from his DVD player (DV-09) which has two sets of analog out to his receiver and then just switch back and forth between the two inputs. We also had another fellow there that had never heard the IXOS cables before and both he and I (independantly) could easily pick one from the other and identify which we were listening to (note we couldn't see the receivers display nor did we know which cable was on which input). So with that ear openning night I decided to try IXOS speaker cables as well. I now have in my possesion enough cable to make two 12 foot runs of 11 gauge gamma weave seaker cables which will be terminated with matching IXOS banana plugs. With a bit of luck my new Magnepan MMG speakers will also be hear tonight so I should be able to spend some time this weekend trying the new IXOs cables against the old 12 gauge zip cord I am currently using. Now here's a question for you, which make the biggest difference interconnects or speaker wire?

[ThomasW]

Both :B

With a good enough equipment, ie revealing, you can "fine-tune" the performance of a system with interconnects and speaker wire




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Andrew Pratt]

thomas have you ever tried the IXOS speaker wire or interconnects?

[ThomasW]

No, sorry.

Up until a year ago I used generic 12 gauge. Sometimes I doubled up runs. I used to buy in bulk, $125/500ft.

Then Jon bought some of the T-14 from

http://www.silversonic.com

I tried it and was hooked!

I've used their BL-1 interconnect for a longtime. As a matter of fact every interconnect in my entire house is BL-1 (except for one)

In the closet, I have some AudioQuest Diamond 3 Silver interconnects, $900/meter (no I didn't pay that for them ).

But the BL-1 sounds much better. I get the Canare RCA's ($2.95 ea) from

http://www.markertek.com

and make custom lengths. Total cost for a meter pair is under $30




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Crimson]

Thomas,
I've been meaning to look into doing some of my own cables and bypass the ridiculous prices. Any particular solder you recommend? (sorry if this is this the wrong forum)




Q.

[ThomasW]

Hi

For nonPCB (printed circuit board) use, I use Multicore 026A, this is 2% silver bearing solder. It's about $20 for a 1 lb spool. This amount will last a lifetime!

Radio Shack has small rolls of 2% silver that are handy for little jobs. But the diameter of the solder is too thin. So I pull off 6' then fold it back on itself several times, then twist it to make a thicker, more easily used piece

There is a more detailed post about solder here

http://www.htguide.com/CFBoards/inde...estTimeout=500

Scroll to the bottom of the thread.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Lexman]

Let us know how it turns out Andrew. The very fine solder is for detail work. That's why it's so fine. Another key to good soldering is the iron. The best guns are the sticks usually, not the gun type. For lots of soldering, you will also want a Reostat to control the temperature of the iron. If they get to hot, you can literally fry the solder. I did a writeup once on soldering techniques, though I am not sure if I can find it.

Lex





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