Well... some interconnects surely make a difference!

[I Am The Lolrus]

Just replaced my POS Hosa cheapo cables I got as a temporary measure with a nice set of Mogami 2524 cables. Amazing difference, there really is one! Bass response is a lot better, a lot less clutter in the low end! Very nice upgrade for not much money- so if you have crappy interconnects get something decent!!! Diminishing returns surely exist, but going from nothing to something was a great investment for me. :goodie:

update-
An interesting finding- it seems as though music that I thought was sibilant before is now clear and defined- the S/ CH sound is now defined and sounds good! It used to be an annoying chirpy harsh squeal, now its a well defined sound that is not as offensive.

[Metoo]

An interesting finding- it seems as though music that I thought was sibilant before is now clear and defined- the S/ CH sound is now defined and sounds good! It used to be an annoying chirpy harsh squeal, now its a well defined sound that is not as offensive.
Thanks for reminding me of this. One of the main things I noticed when I changed my 'normal' interconnects for the Van den Hul "The Name" ones was that the sibilance I was attributing to SACD went away. That is why I started suggesting interconnect upgrades for the low priced universal players. Some people think that they do not make a difference used with such 'basic' players, but in my experience (and what I mention above is proof) they do make a difference with them also. I have just remembered that some days ago a guy who followed the advice I posted in a foreign forum regarding the VDH "The Name" interconnects and how they make the low-cost Pioneer players sound better was thanking me.

Just one caveat: optimally, you have to find the interconnect that works with your set up. Sometimes some interconnects that do well with other hardware combinations just do not cut it with others.

[Grant]

So, all those people complanin' of sibilance in the vinyl playback should check their interconnects?

[Metoo]

We are talking basically digital here (especially all those high frequencies on SACD) and, as you know, sibilance on vinyl can also be due to groove wear among other things, but I would give it a try just in case.

[TONEPUB]

The cable thing is really all about synergy. I think you guys are all on the right track as far as realizing it is a case by case thing...

Sometimes it's magic, sometimes it doesn't do a darn thing!!

[mtodde]

The cable thing is really all about synergy. I think you guys are all on the right track as far as realizing it is a case by case thing...

Sometimes it's magic, sometimes it doesn't do a darn thing!!

Its all about system matching.

[taters]

Its all about system matching.

I borrowed 3 different cables from the Cable Company and listened for 2 weeks.
I agree it's all about system synergy. Unfortunatly the cables I liked the most cost the most.

[mtodde]

I borrowed 3 different cables from the Cable Company and listened for 2 weeks.
I agree it's all about system synergy. Unfortunatly the cables I liked the most cost the most.

That's a great way to try out cables. It is so hard to find many of the better cable brands at local dealers these days...even the ones that carry lines like Kimber don't have the entire line in stock.

[Stefan]

How about the basic "garden-variety" Monster cables (stereo with RCA plugs on each end) that one finds on sale at Bestbuy, Future Shop, etc., are these worth the extra few dollars over cheapie Walmart-grade interconnects?

[Gary]

On my main system they were a downgrade .... :sigh:

[Curiosity]

You need to be aware strangely enough different cables do work better on systems compared to others plus some tend to emphasize the low bass and treble at the expense of the mids.
I learnt about it in Richer Sounds of all places as the manager there was 'into' cables.

[shokhead]

The better the system,the more the cables might help.

[Metoo]

I just brought home the connection cable used with the Sennheiser 650 headphones and connected it to my Sennheiser 600s. Again, I am noting differences in sound from the git-go: a less laid back sound and - apparently - a little less bass.

[Dave W S]

If you want to go even further, get something like the DeoxIT Power Booster pen from Radio Shack for your cables and jacks. Cleans, enhances & lubricates (contacts only please). Can I hear a difference? No clue. Does it hurt? Can't see how it could.

[Maxxwire]

In addition to Deoxit D5 (5% pure) and Deoxit D100 (100% pure) Caig Labs Inc. also makes a product called Pro Gold G100 (100% pure) which enhances and promotes electrical contact.

I've been using Caig Pro Gold G100L in my Audio System on all of my Analog and Digital interconnects as well as the AC Plugs and receptacles regularly for over 6 years. Experience has taught me that cleaning and conditioning my Audio System's AC delivery network makes the most noticable improvement in the overall sound quality.

I have found that cleaning all of the electrical contacts with 99.9% pure Isopropyl Alcohol and then applying Pro Gold brings a significant improvement in sound quality every time I do it.

I also usually end up with about 15 filthy dirty single ended q-tips from the contacts that were cleaned most of the grunge coming from the AC plugs and receptacles that were cleaned. All that dirt must really muck up the sound because the Audio System sure sounds better after its been removed!

I've also tested the literal electrical contact enhancement cability of Pro Gold on several different sets of "dead" batteries in various remote controlls and immediately after Pro Gold was applied to the +/- contacts of the batteries the remotes began functioning again after the previously "dead" batteries were put back in the remote.

$15 worth of Pro Gold G100L (7.4 ml) lasts me about 2 years which puts it very high on my list of most bang for the buck Audio accessories.

~Maxx~