Analogue Interconnect +/- £100

[admin_exported]

Hi everyone!

I would like to buy a new analogue interconnect to go from my CD player to my amplifier. My CD player is an Arcam CD73 and my amplifier an Arcam A32. I'm a little suspiscious that the differences will be very slim, but my current QED Quenex 1 isn't doing my £2k system any justice! My main consideration is width of sound - ie, a nice extended treble and a nice deep, fast bass. Obviously, nice clean mids are important too, but the speed of sound and the bass are the main problems with my current system. Also, if stereo imaging could be improved, that would be a bonus. I don't tend to get much of harsh treble, so I would prefer a "brighter" connect to a "darker" one, but not the extremes of either - neutrality is a virtue in hi-fi!

Budget: £100 give or take.

Many thanks to all,

Hughes.

 

[floyd droid]

System synergy plays a big part in this cable mularky. You will get lots of try this/try that suggestions BUT its not to say they will gel with your set up. Even if someone has an identical system to yours,their listening room and ears will not be. Cableing is a mega subjective subject and you have every right to be a little suspiscious i.m.o. If you can,then ponce different brands and try them out,however herein lies another pain in the bum,you will be listening via cable 2 while trying to remember what cable 1s results sounded like !!.

 

[Anonymous]

floyd droid:
System synergy plays a big part in this cable mularky. You will get lots of try this/try that suggestions BUT its not to say they will gel with your set up. Even if someone has an identical system to yours,their listening room and ears will not be. Cableing is a mega subjective subject and you have every right to be a little suspiscious i.m.o. If you can,then ponce different brands and try them out,however herein lies another pain in the bum,you will be listening via cable 2 while trying to remember what cable 1s results sounded like !!.

Thankyou very much - I'll have a browse of some brands and get a few copies and see how they sound!

I'm also considering getting a mains conditioner as our mains to our house is quite poor - would anyone here recommend the Isol-8 Cleanline 2 Mains Conditioner and some Merlin Turantula to the wall?

 

[John Duncan]

I can recommend s/h Chord Chorus (though probably the v1, not the 2), which can be had on eBay for £100 or less.

They're not very pliable though, if that's an issue for you.

 

[bigblue235]

I'm becoming quite a fan of Atlas cables, quite a few have impressed me. I still really like Ecosse cables too.

I know WH-F weren't totally overwhelmed, but I think the Ecosse Baton mkII is pretty impressive, or if you don't mind second hand, maybe the Nu Diva, which WH-F did really like.

The Atlas Voyager (preferably the All-cu version) would probably be my top tip though, which would be available second hand at the £100 price point. I'm led to believe it's used by Arcam reps when demo-ing kit, so should be a good match. It should also withstand a few system upgrades too

 

[JoelSim]

I would think your best option would be a better CD player fella, one which has more punch than the 73, and better timing, and better bass. Oh and a new interconnect - try the Crystalcable Piccolo if you can pick one up second hand (pricey new).

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Normally I would heartily recommend the Chord Chameleon Silver Plus as a good all rounder at a sane price level. In your case I would recommend the Nordost Blue Heaven. I believe this cable will provide a brighter than neutral balance and will provide excellent bass extension but possibly thinning it out a little. Borrow one and you might be thrilled by it. If you can find a good price on a new or used Nordost Baldur then you'll be getting one of the best cables in the mainstream.

 

[Anonymous]

Hughes123:floyd droid:
System synergy plays a big part in this cable mularky. You will get lots of try this/try that suggestions BUT its not to say they will gel with your set up. Even if someone has an identical system to yours,their listening room and ears will not be. Cableing is a mega subjective subject and you have every right to be a little suspiscious i.m.o. If you can,then ponce different brands and try them out,however herein lies another pain in the bum,you will be listening via cable 2 while trying to remember what cable 1s results sounded like !!.

Thankyou very much - I'll have a browse of some brands and get a few copies and see how they sound!

I'm also considering getting a mains conditioner as our mains to our house is quite poor - would anyone here recommend the Isol-8 Cleanline 2 Mains Conditioner and some Merlin Turantula to the wall?

If you buy a BT mains conditioner off Ebay you will be grinning like a cheshire cat when you plug it in. I have just nabbed a second one for my system this evening!

 

[the record spot]

The Nordost Blue Heaven I've got on Ebay right now (for a bargain price, delivery included) might do the trick...okay, a little self-plug there admittedly...but it might be what you need to pep up the player.

Admittedly, it normally retails for about 25% of what the CD73 was originally priced at, or not far off it anyway, but it is a very revealing and open sounding cable.