Hello there,

I'm new here.

I had the Sonus Faber Cremona for a couple of years and recently upgraded my former Krell amp to the McIntosh MA7000. CD player today is the Rega Saturn which I plan/hope to upgrade to the MCD500 somewhere next year.

Cables are DIY stuff today. Which way to go? What cables are the SF+McIntosh owners using?

Thanks for the input

Merry Christmas

Yves

I have audioquest cables although my feeling is for short speaker runs ie Like 10-15 feet any 14 gauge speaker wire should be fine. How do you like your Cremona's with mcintosh? Does it sound different then what you had before?

Nordost I use heimdalls and freys

I have audioquest cables although my feeling is for short speaker runs ie Like 10-15 feet any 14 gauge speaker wire should be fine. How do you like your Cremona's with mcintosh? Does it sound different then what you had before?

I had Fadel Art cables before, but the combi was too aggressive. So I switched to "old" cables I had lying around. While doing so I lost a lot of details and placement. So there must be potential to improve with the right cables.

I've heard the great things about the Select range of Kimber Cable. But those are VERY expensive.

The main difference with the Krell is the control and neutrality the McIntosh brings.

Previously with my Mc MC200 and SF Guarneri Mementos I used Crystal Cable Reference Speaker Cable. A very nice fit as the Mc + SF cable can tend towards the warmth a little bit so you might not want a 'thick' sounding cable.

howie

Hello there,

I'm new here.

I had the Sonus Faber Cremona for a couple of years and recently upgraded my former Krell amp to the McIntosh MA7000. CD player today is the Rega Saturn which I plan/hope to upgrade to the MCD500 somewhere next year.

Cables are DIY stuff today. Which way to go? What cables are the SF+McIntosh owners using?

Thanks for the input

Merry Christmas

Yves

I have tried several audiophile speaker cables in the past and what I got was a more audiophile sound - i.e. more detail, etc.; but I found that I preferred the warmth of my 10 gage 99.999 OFC copper DYIs.

My #1 criteria for any component, including cables, is whether or not they make the music more enjoyable for longer listening sessions. This usually eliminates a lot of audiophile brands because, to me, they sound great for 10 minutes and then become fatiguing. In the past I was "sold" on the basis of brief (<1 hr) auditions.

My bottom-line recommendation is to make sure that whatever you buy comes with an opportunity for a 1 week (or so) audition in your system (or a no-questions asked return policy). Otherwise, you'll find yourself with a closet full of cables and your wife telling you to clean up that "snakes' nest" - at least I'm guessing that's what would happen :D.

Alberto

P.S. McIntosh + Sonus Faber = Killer Combo :thmbsp:

+1 Alberto- I use DIY 8AWG OFC in my systems. Interconnects are a different story.

I use Kimber 8TC speaker cable. It is a 9 gauge OFC conductor, braided cable that is almost completely immune to external RFI and EMI interference. The cables sound excellent, very detailed and non-fatiguing. I would recommend the Kimber 8TC to anyone without reservation.

You are moving towards a very nice system with SF speakers, MA7000 and MCD500. Plain copper wire should work just fine since that is what McIntosh uses inside their components.

Thanks for the input, guys.

The Kimber 8TC is a popular cable over here. I'll keep an eye on it and try it out.

What about interconnects???

Thanks for the input, guys.

The Kimber 8TC is a popular cable over here. I'll keep an eye on it and try it out.

What about interconnects???

I use these:
RCA = DNM with Eichmann Bullet plug (second system)

XLR = Kubala-Sosna Fascination (main system)

What about interconnects???

Crystal Cable Reference RCA
Siltech SQ 110 RCA
Siltech Avondale Phono Cable

Interconnects are a whole different subject. Everyone has a preference, and seems passionate about their choice, that's for sure.

I have tried Nordost, Tributaries, Wireworld, and a few lesser brands. I presently have both of my systems wired with Tributaries Silver Series, balanced and unbalanced cables. I am pleased with the sound, very detailed without being overly bright or glaring, and the build quality is excellent.

You will need to experiment to find the interconnects that suit your taste. Take a look at this site. You can try before you buy. http://www.thecableco.com/tryathome.php

The Gold Lion returns, the Holidays must really be over... :tears:

I thought that the 12 days of Christmas are from December 25- January 5 every year?

The Gold Lion returns, the Holidays must really be over... :tears:

A fresh stable of Santa's Helpers will be back next year. Santa wasn't about to leave these babes with me. :D

The twins will be missed for sure!!!

Oh, and back to speaker cables... I am sure loving my Wireworld!


:music::banana::music:

You did remove the babes rather quickly ... :D

Wireworld you say??? Which ones?
I use Wireworld power cables. They were a hug improvement to my system, mainly on the amp!!

I am using Oasis 5.2 on the speakers (LS 360's)

And, Aurora 5.2 for power to the 501's.

My crac (I mean Mc) dealer suggested them, and I think that he was absolutely right. Just the right cable for my set up. Not over the top but super high quality.

My crac (I mean Mc) dealer.....


Hey, that's good! :lmao:

I use these:
RCA = DNM with Eichmann Bullet plug (second system)

XLR = Kubala-Sosna Fascination (main system)

I am hearing some good things about these Kubala's. What did they replace? any additional comments about them?

I am hearing some good things about these Kubala's. What did they replace? any additional comments about them?

Before I was using DNM RCA's on everything. Frank Gow at Audio Classics suggested that I try these(new to the market at the time) so I ordered the "Anticipation" XLR entry level cable for $135.00. The improvement over the DNM's was noticeable enough that I decided to order the "Fascination" at $900.00 and have been very happy since. I use the Anticipation XLR for my Stax set and the Fascination for my MCD500/MC2102 combo. The DNM'S remain on my second system. I've tried many cables over the years and have found that most are VooDoo. The interconnects that I'm using now are the best that I've found so far. Kubala-Sosna offers 2 more models that are more expensive,but I've not tried them. I'm very happy with what I have now.

Really nice !

A lot of interesting input... I'll have to find a place over here where I can borrow some of the suggested cables.

What do you think about power filtering?

Running Synergistic research speaker cables to elipsas...audioquest interconnects...

A lot of interesting input... I'll have to find a place over here where I can borrow some of the suggested cables.

What do you think about power filtering?

Since you are in Europe, you may want to check out Atlas (http://www.atlascables.com/index.php?id=117), for some reason they are not too popular in the US, but they are highly regarded in the UK.

At the risk of creating another cable debate. As someone who was suckered....um convinced that I would hear a benefit from good cables, save you money. Really I have audioquest speaker cables and interconnects which are supposed to be a respected audiophile cable. They sound alright... they just don't sound any better then my old monster cables. save your money ! expensive cables are a waste. put your money into better speakers, room treatments and components.

2uberoller.......At the risk of creating a controversy, how does your experience with cable from two manufacturers qualify you as an expert, let alone the final word on what is a waste when it comes to cables?

Another point, I would have thought that by now you might have learned that typing in all CAPITALS is considered shouting. Maybe in your neck of the woods you have to shout before anyone will pay attention to you, but here at AK you don't need to SHOUT. As weak as it is, we would have gotten your point just fine in lower case.

Jdandy,

If you are offended by my post I apologize:tears:, I will go back and edit my post to not having capital's. I have to say I had no idea that capital letters means raising your voice or shouting :smoke:, to me it is just a way to hi lite a point. While really cheap cables and fine gauge speaker wires particularly on longer runs may degrade the sound of a hi fi system there is a limit to what better cables can do. My point is that after a certain point, improvements from cables is not the best bang for your buck, compared with doing the other things I mentioned. I did not notice any improvement in the sound when I changed from monster to audioquest cables therefore that is my experience. My system however sounded much better with different speakers, room treatments and better components. Lastly, when it comes to the human ear, I am a expert :yes: having repaired many !

Oh no, make it stop....

Jdandy,

If you are offended by my post I apologize:tears:, I will go back and edit my post to not having capital's. I have to say I had no idea that capital letters means raising your voice or shouting :smoke:, to me it is just a way to hi lite a point. While really cheap cables and fine gauge speaker wires particularly on longer runs may degrade the sound of a hi fi system there is a limit to what better cables can do. My point is that after a certain point, improvements from cables is not the best bang for your buck, compared with doing the other things I mentioned. I did not notice any improvement in the sound when I changed from monster to audioquest cables therefore that is my experience. My system however sounded much better with different speakers, room treatments and better components. Lastly, when it comes to the human ear, I am a expert :yes: having repaired many !

2uberoller.......I can appreciate your expertise in your chosen field. When it comes to the human ear, you may very well be a wizard. I will take you at your word on your level of competence.

I was not offended by your post. I was making a point about customary posting procedures. I wasn't aware that you were unaware.

I also wondered how a person could be so positive there is no value, or improvement to be achieved by using different, or higher quality cables. Your post quoted above, is a much more civil approach to the subject, and I can accept your statements in this light. I agree with you that upgrading components, speakers, and acoustically treating a listening space provide very positive improvements in sound quality that are immediately recognized. Perhaps, before doing all of the above, you might not be able to hear subtle changes or improvements afforded by different cable designs and metallurgy.

My point is simply that once you have your equipment right, your speakers properly placed, and acoustical room anomalies under control, fine tuning a sound system to a higher performance level can be achieved through selective cabling, both interconnects and speaker wiring.

2uberoller.......I can appreciate your expertise in your chosen field. When it comes to the human ear, you may very well be a wizard. I will take you at your word on your level of competence.

I was not offended by your post. I was making a point about customary posting procedures. I wasn't aware that you were unaware.

I also wondered how a person could be so positive there is no value, or improvement to be achieved by using different, or higher quality cables. Your post quoted above, is a much more civil approach to the subject, and I can accept your statements in this light. I agree with you that upgrading components, speakers, and acoustically treating a listening space provide very positive improvements in sound quality that are immediately recognized. Perhaps, before doing all of the above, you might not be able to hear subtle changes or improvements afford by different cable designs and metallurgy.

My point is simply that once you have your equipment right, your speakers properly placed, and acoustical room anomalies under control, fine tuning a sound system to a higher performance level can be achieved through selective cabling, both interconnects and speaker wiring.


So Civil

So well written

So Very True! :thmbsp:

At the risk of creating another cable debate. As someone who was suckered....um convinced that I would hear a benefit from good cables, save you money. Really I have audioquest speaker cables and interconnects which are supposed to be a respected audiophile cable. They sound alright... they just don't sound any better then my old monster cables. save your money ! expensive cables are a waste. put your money into better speakers, room treatments and components.

While I have not compared more than a few boutique type cables, I am not so sure Audioquest is the best bang for your buck in the cable arena. Maybe keep trying? Honestly if one is in America I don't understand why one wouldn't take advantage of the cable library (http://www.thecableco.com/tryathome.php)to find a suitable cable. Unfortunatly I am not eligible for this privilege and will have to find the next upgrade with ads, heresay and purchasing/selling. :tears:

So Civil

So well written

So Very True! :thmbsp:

:yes:

On altogether different topic - I understand why the Santa Babes had to go so quickly. Babes like that are for rent only :D

:yes:

On altogether different topic - I understand why the Santa Babes had to go so quickly. Babes like that are for rent only :D

thanks for changing the subject. :D I will try and avoid taking part in future cable/interconnect threads.

2uberoller.......
My point is simply that once you have your equipment right, your speakers properly placed, and acoustical room anomalies under control, fine tuning a sound system to a higher performance level can be achieved through selective cabling, both interconnects and speaker wiring.

Lets not forget Tuberolling as a way to improve your system as well :thmbsp::D:yes:

:yes:

On altogether different topic - I understand why the Santa Babes had to go so quickly. Babes like that are for rent only :D

shacky.......I made arrangements for a whole new stable of New Years Party Girls to stop by, all of them excited to get on stage. These sweethearts will only be around through New Years day, so enjoy.

Happy New Year!

shacky.......I made arrangements for a whole new stable of New Years Party Girls to stop by, all of them excited to get on stage. These sweethearts will only be around through New Years day, so enjoy.

Happy New Year!

Good thing you replaced your front door with a revolving one. ;)

Good thing you replaced your front door with a revolving one. ;)

I was sensing the McIntosh Club House had the Santa Babe Blues since they all returned to the North Pole. So hey, I made a phone call, and the New Years Babes said they'd be right over. COOL! :yes:

I'm a convert to Kubala cables..... I use the Kubala emotion XLR's & Pwr. cables for my amps and it made a world of difference. I've not yet tried thir speaker cables.....yet. I use these custom made silver wires.

Lets not forget Tuberolling as a way to improve your system as well :thmbsp::D:yes:

2uberoller.......I agree with you here. Actually, tube rolling often produces the biggest bang for the buck, with marked improvements coming from a minimal investment. I have had great success from rolling tubes.

I was afraid this would turn into a heated "to cable or not to cable" discussion.

Some good suggestions. I like the idea of trying some Wireworld cables.
I will also try to find some Kubala cables.