The obvious reply is, "Define cheap." I will make the assumption that Tel-Wire is cheap enough. That's what I like, anyway.
They aren't really that cheap, but you can spend a lot more, and get a lot less performance, in my opinion. They don't glitter or anything; they just sit back and let the music through.
Win
Saskia Turntables
My favorite budget cable is still the Townshend Maxwire (copper litz, air insulated in a pvc tube) ran for less than $200. I actually found it more balanced than the more expensive Isolda ribbons. Too bad they were discontinued. I hoarded a bunch for personal use before they stopped making them. These cables are NOT for sale.
The best inexpensive cable I ever heard was the Phoenix Gold A320x. IC and speaker cables were around 10-20 dollars and made great tone arm wire. Alas no longer in production and replacement not the same. Jed Hacker tried copying it with mixed success.Originally Posted by JackD201
My favorite budget cable is still the Townshend Maxwire (copper litz, air insulated in a pvc tube) ran for less than $200. I actually found it more balanced than the more expensive Isolda ribbons. Too bad they were discontinued. I hoarded a bunch for personal use before they stopped making them. These cables are NOT for sale.
Last edited by MylesBAstor; 07-01-2012 at 10:47 AM.
Curious: How many have compared e.g. 12 AWG stranded from a hardware store, and/or low-priced cable like Blue Jeans, to more expensive cables? I participated in a number of tests ages ago but have no recent experience to speak of, and the supporting documents I have for those long-ago tests is nil. I remember the conclusions but that would be just my opinion. Do any of those fit the "good but cheap" definition? I would certainly think so, but have not tried the cables listed in this thread.
I do agree with the opinion that system/cable interaction is a significant contributing factor.
Don Herman
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley
Me
Many different off the spool 12 gauges in fact. I found that tonal balance differed from type to type. Some had dull top ends, some had skinny bass and everything in between. Some also sounded louder than others. Funny thing is that I found the same type of differences between branded 12 gauge cables.
I have the same way of looking at cables as Gary (see his website) where the sound of a cable is not additive but subtractive. A bright cable is one that doesn't let the bass information through etcetera. The cable I mentioned isn't even 12 gauge. Eyeballing 'em peaking through the clear PVC tube my guess would be 16. I know it doesn't conduct as well as my 6 gauge reference because to get to the same SPL I have to up the volume. However I do find that unlike most other wire I've tried it is balanced from top to bottom with no nasty peaks or dips. For me the right recipe for a good cable, regardless of price.
I have and I have never been impressed with hardware store wire or BlueJeans cable. There is value in metal quality and cable geometry,
Ditto.
-----Roughly 15-20% of your entire audio system setup. ...For some people it's less than 10%, and for others it's more than 25%.
All the Very Best, - Bob --------- "And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
-----I got some Phoenix Gold interconnects and "Y" connectors. Extremely affordable.
And their speaker wires were in custom use for car stereo installs.
All the Very Best, - Bob --------- "And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
Yes there is; in the copper purity, silver, and in the geometry of the cables (wires); braided, solid core, flat, round, etc.
Plus the covering (insulation); like teflon, etc.
But system matching is primordial because some components requires double, or even triple shielding (subwoofers, some power amplifiers), and others love barenaked wires!
All the Very Best, - Bob --------- "And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks