My three all time favorite Rodrigues cartoons are in the third line from the top BTW, cj has a copy/cell of the original Rodrigues cartoon hanging in their facility.
I used to enjoy his cartoons as well and thank for the link, too bad that they are out of print.
Cables that I use are as follows.
Power chords.
Nordost Brahma, Audience , Synergistics research, Aural Symphonics Magic Gem v2t, TEL WIRE HC cord ( greatest value IMHO )
Interconnects
Nordost Valhalla from pre to both darTZeel and Topaz amps, Studers, Audio Research CD-7.5, Aesthetix IO all hooked up to pre.
Cardas Golden Cross used from Transporter to pre.
Speaker cables
Nordost Valhalla to the Maxx II, and also for the TOTEM THE ONE
I think there´s no point in spending a lot of money in cables, particularly for loudpeakers. Construction quality is important though.
Considering construction quality, my current setup uses Groneberg Quattro Reference for 1 meter interconnects. Groneberg manufactures robust cables with WBT connectors. I use Audioquest Rocket 44 for my loudspeakers. The total length is equal to 3 m.
I chose them because they're good cables and they're available everywhere here in Mexico. Brand name is something that doesn't matter to me.
Be sure to try out the WBT 0705 ag "nextgen" connectors. They were a revelation, even compared to the already good WBT 0763. Definitely a cost-effective upgrade that will benefit most cables considerably, especially those with silver lugs on them.
ProCo quad shield mic cable because it's the best sounding cable with Atma-Sphere gear that I have tried. Very neutral and honest. It doesn't change the flavor of the dish leaving it simply delicious.
Vovox unshielded mic cable because sometimes digital needs a little flavoring.
Purist Dominus Phono because it's dead quiet.
Purist Canorus speaker (see above) and the speakers are wired with Purist too so I thought I would stick with it.
Be sure to try out the WBT 0705 ag "nextgen" connectors. They were a revelation, even compared to the already good WBT 0763. Definitely a cost-effective upgrade that will benefit most cables considerably, especially those with silver lugs on them.
I used wire world supernova 6 for digital. Speakers, kimber 8TC. Silver plated banana's. For the analogue IC's I have tried Qed silver spirals, which are smooth but mask a lot of detail. I have tried the carbon van den hul, and find them also too smooth. I've tried making Ag litz cables and had variable results. I ended up with quite a nice set of 0.55 or 0.6 mm diameter Ag wires from home grown audio, terminated with audio note RCA's. I have been pleased with these, and decided to upgrade to home grown audio silver lace, terminated with Eichmann silver bullets.
Big mistake. These are way too bright. Just distortion of the sound. You think you getting detail, but soon realise the base as gone and there loads of grit and sibilance. These were returned for refund, but left be thinking about some copper... Basically because i have been reading the copper vs. silver debate.
So I decided after some scouting about to give the Audio Note Lexus cables a try. Well, I suppose Peter Q. would say the Ag version is better, but pricing is way way outside my budget. I can however report, that these interconnects are better than anything I have tried by a long way....
Some people say that there are no differences in cables... This is wrong.... Others say you justify the improvement after spending a bunch of money... Well, after you've spent some hundreds of pounds, I suppose you do look for the improvement, but this did not stop me from returning the Silver Lace interconnects.
I recommend Audio Note AN-CABLE 1150 LEXUS, Copper version of the SOGON interconnect.
I use Kimber's Iluminations D60 for digtal, Morrow Audio's SP3 biwire for main speakers, also his MA3 xlr for preamp to amp and a set of his MA1 for surrond hook up. Audioquest Columbia for analog outs for sacd, Kingcobra makes up the rest for multi channel, execpt for the Monster Mseries for the sub . AQ's CV6 for center channel speaker and Audio Researh flat wire for surround speakers. For my power delivery 10 awg Romex on a 20 amp line and also a 12 awg 20 amp line. Power cables are PS audio's perfectwave AC10 for the Quintet line conditioner, (4) AC3's for all but the @ channel amp which uses an AC12 fed via the 10awg line with the Soloist Premier Se in wall conditioner!
Interconnects: Cardas Golden Reference and Neutral Reference, Kimber Hero, Tara Labs RSC Air
Phono Cable: Zu Mission
Digital Cable: Black Cat Veloce, Kimber DV-30
Speaker Cable: Cardas Golden Reference, Kimber 8TC
Power Cords: Cardas Golden Reference, Gutwire B16, Shunyata Diamondback
IC's : Bis Audio Expression
Speaker Cable : Bis Audio Type 3 biwire
For me they sound good and they are made here in Montreal, Qc (Canada)
ps: I just buy a power cord AC20 and an AC IFW from Bis Audio plus a BIS power bar.
Absolutely correct in my opinion. Without clean power and interconnect, even (or perhaps especially) very good gear will never sound that well. The Audience aR12-TS seems to be working wonders in my system, given dubious power from the complicated generation and grid we have here on Maui.