From: <ADB103@psuvm.psu.edu>
   with BSMTP id 9302; Sat, 15 Aug 92 14: 48:05 EDT
Subject: Interconnects cost vs. hype
Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 13:04:05 GMT

Some interconnects (and speaker cables) are rediclously expensive.  Are they
worth it?  The answer is complex even if you first assume that there are any
differences to begin with.  I've tried dozens of interconnects in my system
and can report unequivically that there are differences sometimes huge
differences between the sound of different cables.  To compound matters,
what sounds great in my system may not sound so great in your system.  So I
talk to audiophiles all over the country and get their opinions on various
audio toys, gadgets, tweaks, and preferences.  Surprisingly, there is much
agreement over the sonic attributes of cables and audiophiles are very quick
to jump on the bandwagon of any particular interconnect that becomes the
fave rave of some poor underpaid reviewer of some specialty magazine.
Fortunately, there is hope for the masses to figure all this out on their
own without falling prey to the "WIRE BANDITS," who reap big profits by
sinking big bucks into fancy marketing hype and not nearly enough resouces
into R&D and component quality.  Some of the best interconnects still come
witrh the most god awful connecters, for example.  Yes, there is hope,
however.  Here's what you do: Find one (two tops) expert you can trust.
Make sure he knows your system, your budget, and your musical tastes.  Then
close your ears to all of the other experts out there; this avoids Chronic
Audiophile Confusion Syndrome (CACS).  Well, I am but one humble expert.  If
you already have your expert picked out, close your ears now.  If not here
goes my attempt to sort out some of this mess.  I'll list first my reference
systems and associated cables and you can get some idea of where I'm coming
from.  WESCOTT Reference System "A" System "B" Maplenoll Apollo Turntable
EAD T-7000 Digital Transport Benz-Micro Ruby Ref Cartridge VAC DAC D/A
Conerter VAC CPA1 Preamp VAC CPA1 Preamp ARC Classic 150 monoblocks VAC 90
monoblocks Modified Acoustat Spectra 22ss Ensemble Reference Speakers Muse
Model 18 Subwoofer Muse Model 18 Subwoofer Various Power Wedges Ensemble
Landmark Stands Brassfield Plates Brassfield Plates

There are many cables which sound good in the above systems.  I've tried
most of the big names like Cardas, MIT, Monster Cable, Staightwire, etc.
All sounded remarkably different from each other, yet maintained their sonic
strenghts or weaknesses regardless of which system in which they were
placed.  I recently began a search for new, relatively inexpesive cables
that could do one thing better than the big boy Cable Manufacturers, MAKE
MUSIC!  This is how I discovered Discovery Cable Company.  Run by a great
guy named Joe DePhillips out of New Jersey, these intercons have the
sweetest midrange this side of Hershey, PA.  Good low level resolution, big
3D soundstage, good bass, dynamics galore and (only) $250/mtr pr, $70/mtr
extra for additional lenghts.  I consider this a small breakthrough in that
those of you looking for a good quality interconnect need not spend
megabucks wiring your system.  Not quite as ultimately transparent as XLO,
Music Metre, and some others, but a great value.Sounds excellent in solid
state systems also due to its inherent musicality.  XLO is also a strong
contender, but I do get upset that they still use those terrible Mogami
connecters.  I have reterminated XLOs with high quality connecters from
Vampire and Discovery and the improvements are definitely worth the trouble.
Are you listening, XLO? The best proof that XLO may be the most neutral interco
nnect is the fact that those who think it's bright sounding have inherintly edg
y sonding systems to begin with, and those who feel its a bit lean generally ha
ve digitally based sources with solid state electronics. To me, its easy to see
that the cable is simply telling them what is wrong in the first place. For the
m, it may be better to get an interconnect like Cardas Hex that rolls off the h
igh end, bloats the bass, yet throws a convincing stage.  Personally, I don't s
ubscribe to the notion of using cables as sonic band-aids. If the poor chap wit
h the solid state/digitally based system would carefully analyze his system, he
 may discover the real problem to be his solid state preamp (none of which I kn
ow of can touch a good tubed preamp), or choise of source component(s). The poi
nt here is that assembling a good system involves carefull component matching
striving for as natural yet neutral sound one can attain given price and prefen
ce considerations. Price no consideration, NBS interconnects, speaker cables, a
nd power cords are so much better than everyone else's, its rediculous, just as
 its rediculously expensive cable. By the way XLO Type 5 and NBS King Serpent
speaker cables are best in my systems. Even when I switch to Krell or Classe' A
udio amplifiers. They are the only two speaker cables I can safely recommend. F
ortunately, XLO makes a Type 6 and a Pro 600 which are much more affordable tha
n the $55/ft commanded by the type 5 cable. I welcome input from every body on
new, exiting cables I may not have heard of or any other of the myriad of inter
connects not mentioned here. Preference will be on affordable products. For exa
mple I've heard Music Meter pure silver intercons are very hot now. I invite yo
ur input.

 Scott E. Freeman
 Wescott Audio
 800-669-7574

Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end