Stereo Interconnect advice Needed

[admin_exported]

Hi all,

I have an Arcam A38 amplifier and an Arcam CD 37 CD/SACD player and would like to know which Interconnect are suitable for this setup, Budget wise 150£ MAX, currently I am using my old Atlas Equator MKII, (48£)

It would be interesting to know if investing an extra100£ would significantly improve sound quality.

If this makes a difference the amplifier is linked to my Anthony GALLO' s STRADA using TCI King Cobra Cables

Thanks in advance

 

[JoelSim]

Le Robert:

Hi all,

I have an Arcam A38 amplifier and an Arcam CD 37 CD/SACD player and would like to know which Interconnect are suitable for this setup, Budget wise 150£ MAX, currently I am using my old Atlas Equator MKII, (48£)

It would be interesting to know if investing an extra100£ would significantly improve sound quality.

If this makes a difference the amplifier is linked to my Anthony GALLO' s STRADA using TCI King Cobra Cables

Thanks in advance

The equator is a good cable so I believe. Try a second hand Nordost Heimdall or something like that, which will give you a lift on detail.

 

[Anonymous]

I went from an Atlas Equator MK1 to Chord Chameleon Silver Plus and the difference if any was very subtle. From my experience, unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket don't bother.

 

[JoelSim]

spooks1982:I went from an Atlas Equator MK1 to Chord Chameleon Silver Plus and the difference if any was very subtle. From my experience, unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket don't bother.

I would agree, the Chameleon I had was quite bassy but no better than a vdh d102 I had. The Heimdall is better.

 

[Anonymous]

correct me if I'm wrong, but apparently to hear a difference one should invest in calbles costing 400£ ,

and anything between 50-150£ will sound almost the same,

 

[matthewpiano]

Stick with what you've got. £400 on a cable????

 

[JoelSim]

What I have suggested is that to make a significant difference, in my opinion, you would need to spend more than your budget, hence a second hand something like a Heimdall.

Otherwise stick with what you have.

 

[Anonymous]

didn' say I'm going to pay 400£ on a cable, I just want to know how much I will need to pay to get a significant improvment in soud quality,

Currently I am using Atlas Equator MKII, My speakers cable are TCI Cobra and was wondering if investing in TCI Cobra Interconnect is worth it... (aprox 180£)

 

[matthewpiano]

I don't think cables can bring 'significant' improvement. I'm enjoying listening with a cable most of you wouldn't use to tie your shoe-laces right now, and its changing my perception of cables.

 

[Anonymous]

keep what you have, but if you wish to try something different that is very good (in my opinion), try some Silver High Breed cables (search ebay and google)

approx £30 and if you don't like them, you get a full refund

 

[Anonymous]

dim_span : What do you mean by different?

have you ever tried other interconnect? do you believe that sound quality between Silver High Breed and Atlas will be sOOO significant ?

 

[Anonymous]

Le Robert:

dim_span : What do you mean by different?

have you ever tried other interconnect? do you believe that sound quality between Silver High Breed and Atlas will be sOOO significant ?

have never heard the interconnect that you own, but can say that many are very happy with the silver high breed and have said they are better than cables that cost considerably more ....

so am not sure if they are better or worse than what you already own ... but if you buy them and are not happy, the seller will refund in full

I am happy with mine ... (and they are cheap as they are made by a small private seller)

 

[Anonymous]

I would pip for the 'merlin mozart' instead.

 

[idc]

Basically there are two schools of thought here. One is happy with a well made IC and may have heard slight differences between ICs, but nothing of note so will happily buy the likes of the SHB off ebay. Then others have experienced far greater differences with ICs and so are willing to spend far more to get a better overall sound.

I am with school one here. So is dim_span and Matthewpiano. JoelSim is the main man with school two.

I think that it is possible, because of differences in hearing and kit that both schools are correct.

 

[Anonymous]

trust me guys go to the next nordost demo at a what hi fi show you will be blown away by how much changing cables effects the sound (power and interconnects)

 

[matthewpiano]

idc:
Basically there are two schools of thought here. One is happy with a well made IC and may have heard slight differences between ICs, but nothing of note so will happily buy the likes of the SHB off ebay. Then others have experienced far greater differences with ICs and so are willing to spend far more to get a better overall sound.

I am with school one here. So is dim_span and Matthewpiano. JoelSim is the main man with school two.

I think that it is possible, because of differences in hearing and kit that both schools are correct.

Very good post idc and I agree completely.

 

[koolkeith]

I just bought one of the heavily discounted Atlas Titan cables to put between my ATC pre/power. I am hearing things I never did before, largely around longer note sustains and studio effects such as echo. I've upgraded speakers that have had a less obviously pleasing effect. It's not about shifting the relative weight of the frequncy spectrum, it's about hearing more. Think I'll get another one for between the DAC and pre-amp. I'm a believer. Only cost £110 from Future Shop.

 

[Anonymous]

koolkeith:I'm a believer.

Cheeky Monkee.

Keep your money mate; with that system the interconnect is fine. If you have the upgrade itch, borrow some from a friendly retailer or buy cheap on eBay and sell on if you don't hear a difference.

 

[JoelSim]

Aha, you see I suspect that his Arcam system sounds very good, and whilst the Equator is purported to be very good, he could do better. But to my mind buying something for £150 will not give a significant enough difference over what he has to justify the extra cost involved, maybe, but maybe not. Also having had a Chord Chameleon I wouldn't go overboard on its talents, it's decent but lacking a little finesse, in my opinion.

 

[JoelSim]

I'll also say I tried a similar type of cable to the SHB, ie same materials, and it was teeth-clenchingly horrible in the treble. A full refund ensued.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input lads,

to summarize:

1) whatever school you belong to :let's face it an investment of 100 GBP is unlikely to deliver a better sound

2) Find a friendly dealer and try an expensive set before buying

 

[JoelSim]

Le Robert:
Thanks for your input lads,

to summarize:

1) whatever school you belong to :let's face it an investment of 100 GBP is unlikely to deliver a better sound

2) Find a friendly dealer and try an expensive set before buying

Yes, or buy on fleabay and sell on if you don't like them.

 

[the record spot]

I wouldn't even countenance an expensive cable these days. Instead, find out what components are in the higher end cable, compare it to what's in the one you have, check out some pro-audio shops who do cables, or computer ones and see what you get. Somewhere, someone will have a cable you can knock up (or have knocked up for you) that will deliver. And I'm thinking less than £20. £150 on a cable is a joke IMO. £1000 or more and you shouldn't be allowed out unsupervised. It's by and large rubbish of the highest order and this from someone who would've considered spending something similar a year back and also owned a set of Nordost Blue Heavens.

Do your research and put the big bucks on hold until you can at least justify the spend.

 

[JoelSim]

Do it right and it doesn't cost anything. I've made money on a few cables. Buying unbranded is money down the toilet as it has no sell-on value.

 

[the record spot]

Why would "sell on" be an issue? Only if you feel the need to upgrade. If you want to go down the sell on route, just buy a bunch of cables going in a sale, then flog em off on Ebay, nothing to say they need to go anywhere near your stereo kit. I might even do that myself (although it'll impact the tax return next year...)!

If the rationale is driven by resale value, then the purpose for buying in the first place is driven by "upgrade-itis". I work with the view that the cable is one of the least important parts of the chain and it's currently a logic that's proven.