Need advice on the equipment

The theory of using the same brand cables to achieve the best out of the equipment is very logical. It makes sense.
But not all equipment manufacturers make their own brand of cables. So how does one choose their cables then?

Yes, many renowned brands use cables like Siltech in their internal wiring. Then again when one uses a higher end Siltech cable, it would not be optimizing the set-up. To optimize, one would need to change the internal wiring to the higher end type used in the cables.

When a certain equipment is designed, the manufacturer will use a certain brand of cables to test their equipment. Of course this would be the cable of their choice. And if they have their own brand of cables, then they would recommend using their cables with their equipment. The R&D of their equipment is based on the use of their cables. Using their own cables will give them their so called "signature sound".

However, like tin has mentioned, the use of different cables is like using tone controls. But one may like the use of "tone control" to tune the kind of sound one desire as one may not like the "signature sound" of the equipment manufacturer. Afterall, not everyone has the same taste.

So, there isn't any hard and fast rule about using the same cables. Some may like it, some may not.

Just my opinion .......

ASAP,

the whole purpose of the foundation aprroach is just that,to give the best 'environment' for your equipment to shine through,so that you could cocentrate on the music....sure you might have to invest initially,but this investment is just one off......unfortunately they are important IMO.

SPH,no you got it quite mixed up...

tin wrote:ASAP,

the whole purpose of the foundation aprroach is just that,to give the best 'environment' for your equipment to shine through,so that you could cocentrate on the music....sure you might have to invest initially,but this investment is just one off......unfortunately they are important IMO.

SPH,no you got it quite mixed up...

Dear tin,


Perhaps you can explain where did SPH got mixed up at?

sometimes i feel this 'cable loom' theory is cooked up by cable manufacturers to boost their sales.

the first time i heard about this concept was when i read an interview with david salz, owner and designer of wireworld, in 6moons http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/wireworld/sidebar.html

Q: I had read in another review that you stated that there is an electrical relationship between an interconnect and speaker cable. Please elaborate. I've more or less noticed this myself over years of mixing and matching various brands of cable, which I've found to be unpredictable and ultimately pointless in my opinion.

A. The most obvious marker for the basic electrical profile I mentioned above is the frequency at which a cable transitions from predominantly resistive to predominantly inductive. For an interconnect and speaker cable to have complimentary tonal characteristics, the interconnects transition frequency must be about four times the transition frequency of the speaker cable. While such combinations of colored cables can produce a relatively balanced sound, they still introduce much more coloration and dynamic compression than neutral cables."

at least salz gave some form of scientific explanation.

i don't think other cable manufacturers give any explanation, but if audiophiles believe in 'cable loom' and buy all their cables from one manufacturer, that manufacturer surely won't complain and would in fact encourage it.

however, based on my years of reviewing, i hv noticed that mit interconnects sounded better with mit speaker cables (from the same range). when i switched the interconnect or speaker cable with another brand, i would still get good sound but the mit sonic signature was somewhat lost. this could be due to the passive networks in mit cables.

but i did not notice this with other brands.

Good points SPH. I know I'm generalising a bit here, but Cardas and Van Den Hul (esp the carbon ones) cables tend to be on the dull side of neutral, while Nordost and QED tend to be on the bright side of neutral. If you used all cables from one of the above brands, wouldn't it be a compounding effect that results in too much of a bad thing?

To me the proof of the pudding is still for a host of cheapo cables from one manufacturer to outperform a mix of mega high end cables. Call me an armchair critic/cynic but seriously, I doubt so.

It's very true that FMA n AUDIO NOTE will sound best with their own cable which they use it to voice their amp, speaker n etc. It's a lot to do with circuit design n parts being used. With this also make their costomer to use back their product so as to increase sales.

For example audio note uses lots of tantalum resistors in their design with may soften their highs, so, they use silver cable every where to tune their sound. If u use other design, u r out.
But I'm not quite sure this will work in other system that not tune with the brand of cable.....

Hi,

Back to my question in first post. I am thinking to change my existing Transparent HP14-4 rear speaker and center speaker for my AV use. I want something bright and detail sound from the movies. I have following choice.

1. QED Silver Aniversary Bi-wire XT
2. Chord Carnival Silver Screen B-wire

The cost is roughly the same.

Thanks.

Hi ASAP,

I have use them both. Similar sound too. (bright sounding)

If that is the case, then I will get the QED since it is available locally. Do you know where to get the Chord in Malaysia? Thanks

Not 100% certain about this, but I vaguely remember that Acoustique Systems in Amcorp Mall sells Chord cables. Contact Lim 012-2505258.

Will give it a try. Thanks

There is no best cables but there is always a better cable.

These are the best cables within my budget unless you have something better and it is bi-wire, locally available, terminated by users and within RM100 per meter. Thanks.

try the dh labs q 10 single biwire.
go to the hi fi shop in 1 utama new wing 2nd or 3rd floor.

If not mistaken, Hi Fi Shop already close down its business recently. 2 months ago i went there and they were having 70% close down sale on selected items.

sflam wrote:try the dh labs q 10 single biwire.
go to the hi fi shop in 1 utama new wing 2nd or 3rd floor.

that shop "chup-lup" already.

Yup, sadly "The Hifi Shop" has "chupped-lupped". I wonder what happened to their remaining stocks of DH Labs cables. Could use a few more meters here and there.

It is very sad that The HIFI Shop is now history. I found that its prices were very reasonable. I got a quotation for a 3m pair of Furutech Reference III speakers cable from Tan Kok Ming of The HIFI Shop. I got another quotation from a quite well know shop in AmCorp Mall for the same item and the price was more than RM 1000.00 compared to The HIFI Shop.

It is sad that it is no logner around.

Thanks for all the advice and ppl expressed interest to visit my setup. After getting the advice from friends, I am very satisfied with the current setup and the sound. The sound quality before and after is totally difference and the sound is more detail and focus. I can clearly hear the voice from the center and the location of each instruments played.

Here is my current setup.

Speaker: Sonus Faber Liuto Floodstand
CD Player: Cyrus CD 8SE + PSX-R
Int Amp: Cyrus DAC XP+ + PSX-R
Conditioner: Isotek Aquarius
Main cable: Eccosse Big Red High HC for CD player, Cyrus Power Amp x 2 units. Int Amp using Chord Power Cord.
Interconnect: Chord Chorus 2 x 2 pairs
Speaker cable: Purist Audio Musaeus
Power Amp: Cyrus X Power x 2 units become Mono block supporting each speaker
Jumper: Chord Signature
Digital Streamer: LINN Majik DS + Chord Chorus 2 RCA + QNAP 4TB storage + Chord Power Cord

Thanks

Then can come listen? Pray pray can come listen la!

Can I pray pray & come to listen too.

this topic is a cracker hifikrazy ur right, i think - too much money to splurge + +too much inner void = pathlessness, so much for helping the needy get a education.

bimmerman wrote:Yup, sadly "The Hifi Shop" has "chupped-lupped". I wonder what happened to their remaining stocks of DH Labs cables. Could use a few more meters here and there.

I think (I stand corrected) that some of the items were put on for sale by in these pages and the other hifi4salesmalaysia. I was after the Aliante speakers when I was window shopping in 1U a few months back but my better half disaapprove (doesn't match the decor )..

Indeed it is a sad affair to see the shop closed, Mr Tan has dispensed some good advice, reasonably priced stuff (bought some stuff and recommended a gwai loh to buy a Conrad-Johnson pre-power yonks ago while I drooled at the sound and sight, from the shop when it was in the old wings). Bumped into him last at the KLIAV 2010 at Tong Lee's area.. Despite all these my sincere wish for all the best to him..

DH Labs is available through Trident Entertainment Malaysia - they are awaiting SIRIM approval - should be out on the market soon - I Know the owner, keep you guys posted.