Where can I find seven great interconnects for less than $100?

james e m · 05-17-2003, 03:33 PM

I'm looking for some interconnects for my Sony 5ES and my soon to be ordered Sherbourn 7/2100. I need 7 of them and I have been looking at the Outlaw and these AudioQuest interconnects. Are there any other interconnects I should be checking out? I can't spend any more than $100. I'm leaning towards the Outlaws. So if anybody can tell me a place where I can find great interconnects for less I would appreciate it. Thanks!
James

Garrett Adams · 05-17-2003, 04:16 PM

I'm using the Outlaw .5 meter 7-pack. They are well made and I've been satisfied with them. The locking RCA connectors are a nice touch.

Blair Gifford · 05-17-2003, 08:34 PM

edit
I had some for sale, but my email was bounced back. Maybe your inbox is full?

Chu Gai · 05-17-2003, 10:21 PM

The outlaw should perform well and look sharp to boot. Only thing is they've got a no return unless defective policy. If you can get past that then there's no reason to suspect they wouldn't perform as well as anyone elses. Just make sure you stay clear of some of the advertising hype and either would serve you fine. Half a meter's not too long and I'd want to be pretty sure about that length because if you find the need to move something then it's ooopppps

Other items that you could consider would be AR's as well as interconnects that are used in car stereo applications such as the StreetWires ZN2 or ZN3 series (twisted pair design...might find them locally).

There really ain't much to an interconnect that performs well and seeing as your equipment doesn't involve any passive components or extraordinarily long lengths, you're in good shape.

Hope you got a good price on the Sherbourn.

Brian OK · 05-17-2003, 11:32 PM

Seven great interconnects for less than $100. is not possible.

Seven interconnects for less than $100., is possible.

Great is expensive. Great is what is within your budget, and what you can afford. Get what you can afford and leave adjectives for others to price out.

a "GREAT" interconnect for the price is the Bolder M80.... not less than a $100., but a superb interconnect for the price/performence ratio. Leave the pricing behind, and trust your ears (within your budget, of course).

Good Luck,

BOK

**HTF Ads**

Kevin C Brown · 05-21-2003, 12:07 AM

I want to ask a question here, as my thread was maybe too specific. I'm in the same boat.

I want to spend the money it takes to get to "90%" performance, in other words, right at the point of the curve where you start to get to the law of diminishing returns. I want good cables made on scientific principase, but I'm not interested in paying any extra for voodoo magic.

I am currently looking at using interconnects made from (more than likely) RG-6/U coax cable.

Chu pointed me in the direction of Beldin's site, and I actually saw a reference elsewhere on the web from a ham radio guy talking (in very detailed terms, mind you) about cable used for antenna applications. RG-59/U is good, then RG-6/U is better, then he actually gosh darn said that Beldin is a level up from "regular" RG-6/U.

And then there is mylar foil shielding, and Cu braid shielding, and sometimes more than one layer of Cu braiding.

And from some other thread here, I got pointed in the direction of Vince's cables:

http://cables.musicianassist.com//about.htm

So that's where I'm at right now. (I've heard good things in the past about Canare component cables.) Does that sound like a plan?

Looking for analog cables from SACD/DVD-A player to pre/pro, and then from pre/pro to the amps.

And then, maybe a stupid question: is there any reason why you'd want to, or *not* want to, use coax for speaker cables too? I just really like the idea of the built-in resistance to EMI/RF interference that coax cable has.

Chu? Brian? Sanjay? Others?

THANKS!!

Chu Gai · 05-21-2003, 07:02 AM

Well that's sure a reasonable question Kevin. Theoretically you want an audio interconnect that has the lowest capacitance. So what's low? Well Belden #89259 is 17 pf/ft. I'm sure there's lower out there too.
If you're curious as to whether this product might be something you'd like, give Belden a call (1-800-BELDEN-1) and ask for an evaluation sample. Might as well look through those links I posted earlier and find some RG8 cables too. Those can be used as speaker cables and have both fairly low capacitance and inductance.
As to what you want to pay for that or any low capacitance cable is between you and your wallet and a function of whether you want to make it or buy it.
I personally recommend the idea of getting evaluation samples (most wire companies will do this) because it gives you an idea of what the stuff feels like, how it bends, its weight, etc.

Kevin. W · 05-21-2003, 11:21 AM

May want to look into the AR Pro Series 2 from partsexpress.com.

Kevin

Mark Rich · 05-21-2003, 02:28 PM

I agree with Brian. You are not going to get 7 great interconnects for $100.

I would avoid using RG6 coax with Canare connectors for analog audio cables. The Canare connectors are a poor choice for analog audio use. In my experience with this cable/connector combination you end up with poor highs, exaggerated mid and mushy bass. These are a good choice for video and digital use though.

Some decent affordable audio cables can be found but you are going to have to spend more than $100 for 7.
Check out some of these on-line sources:
Catcables, RhinoCables, Zucable, WickedCables, Boldercables

Otherwise go with a retail brand such as Radioshack, AR etc.

Kevin C Brown · 05-21-2003, 02:56 PM

Yeah, the AR Performance and Pro II series are my "fallback" position...

Chu- I came across an industrial parts supply catalog, and yeah most of the coax cables were on the order of 15 - 20 pF/ft. I was actually a little bit surprised they had those values in there too, whereas none of the cable manufacturers (that I know of) publish that sort of info. The had Belden too!