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Should I upgrade my Monster Cable interconnections since I'm upgrading my HT? (1 Viewer)

Ferdinand*T

Second Unit
Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
284
Hello,

I'm new to posting on these boards but I registered almost a year ago. Around that time I was in the proccess of upgrading my Best Buy theater to something of higher quality. Here is what my setup consisted of.

Old Setup
---------

Receiver: Sony STR-DE945
Mains: 15" Pioneer CS-G403 (Old and crappy.)
Center: JBL N-Center
Rears: JBL N-24's
Sub: None at the time.
TV: 25" Sharp
DVD Player: Sony DVP-S360 DVD Player
CD Player: Sony CDP-CX53
Cables: Basic


Previous Setup
--------------

Receiver: Onkyo TX-DS797
Mains: Paradigm Mini Monitor
Center: Paradigm CC-170
Rears: Paradigm ADP-170
Sub: Cerwin Vega LW-15
TV: Sony Wega KV-24FV12 24"
DVD Player: Panasonic RP56
CD Player: Sony CDP-CX53
Cables: Monster Cable



New Setup
-------------

Receiver: Denon AVR-4802 (Purchased)
Mains: B&W DM602 S3 (Purchased)
Center: B&W LCR60 S3 (Purchased)
Rears: B&W DM600 S3 (Purchasing this Friday.)
Sub: SVS 16-46PCi Subwoofer (Puchasing end of September.)
TV: Upgrading but not sure as to what yet. Recommedations?
DVD Player: Denon DVD-2900 (Purchasing in the months to come.)
CD Player: Sony CDP-CX53 (95% Movies/5% Music. No need to upgrade.)
Cables: ????? Not sure what to get.


From looking at my progression from about 3 years ago and to where I'm heading I'd like to think I've come along way. Many thanks to these boards for showing me the way. My dream of having a great home theater is starting to come true.

I came to these boards right after I bought the Onkyo receiver along with Monster Cable for my interconnections. I soon learned shortly after that I got ripped on the overpriced cables and that I could have done better for the money on the receiver. To say the least I was alittle bummed out. Luckily I was about to purchase speakers and you folks pointed me to some quality brands and I ended up with Paradigm speakers all around. All the other equipment I have was on the upgrade list but I never got around to it. Now I'm in full force and these will be upgraded for sure. The DVD player is ok but with all the high quality gear I have now or plan to buy it just doesn't fit well anymore.

Now I'm babbling, Well to get to the point I bought all my gear from one shop and they've been good with cutting me deals on all of it. They sell some high quality Pheonix Gold interconnections for alot cheaper than what Monster charges. It looks to be of higher quality too. Plus they said they would cut me a deal. So my question is should I upgrade all the cables to Pheonix Gold or stick with the Monster I have now? I told them I was going to get all my cables from Bettercables.com and it would run about $1000 but they said that was too much money for the kind of setup I'm running.
 

Darren Mortensen

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jul 26, 2001
Messages
232
Hummm. Good question.
Here is two cents.
I have used Onkyo as my first receiver back in 1984. Then upgraded to Yamaha recievers. Now I just switched to Rotel separate pro/processer and two amps. I have always used low grade cables..being the cheap skate I am...even with my seven B&W speakers

However, since my new set up I have heard a true difference in separates VS. receivers. I was compelled to purchase something better than Acoustic Research cables.;)
I looked at some pretty pricey cables at my local hi-end dealer...WHOA! Even a set of USED Demo cables was gonna drain the bank. With all the money I have put into my HT this year I am down to near pennies! I chose to use Monster XP200 Cables and wires for my set-up. I found these to be in "my" price range....even though I said I would "NEVER" own a Monster Cable.

I figure later on I will replace them piece by piece, and hand the Monster's down to my sons.
 

Ted Lee

Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 8, 2001
Messages
8,390
my first reaction was to tell you "no". personally, i doubt it will make much of a difference. it's not that monster cable is crap, it's that it's expensive.

however, it sounds like you have a pretty good relationship with your retailer? if so, just ask them to supply you a few cables so you can test for yourself.

if you do that, please post your thoughts after you do some comparing. i'd be curious as to your results.

[edit] - which line of monster cabling are you using?
 

Ferdinand*T

Second Unit
Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
284
My Wega only has s-video so thats what I bought. Monster Video 2 is what the package says(I keep everything.). So I think its just there basic cable. The sub cable is just called Monster Cable Audio Interconnects, again probably there standard sub cable. Last but not least the fiber optic cable. I think I accidently put my last one in the box with the Xbox I sold because I couldn't find it. So I was low on funds and had a Best Buy card so I bought another Monster fiber optic cable(I know I don't learn.). I just didn't want to touch the other brands because I wasn't sure if it would alter the sound from what it was. The one I got now is the Monster THX, Ultra THX Series 1000 fiber optic cable.
 

Ted Lee

Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 8, 2001
Messages
8,390
i think monster2 is the middle-line stuff...but am not sure. in any case, i still say it will suffice, but go ahead and experiment.

will you be able to return the phoenix gold's if you decide not to keep them?
 

Bob McElfresh

Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 22, 1999
Messages
5,182
I like the 10% rule:

Budget 10% of the device cost for the wires. Spend NO MORE than this amount

I'd go to BetterCables for some good, HD rated component cables. But thats only assuming you are going to buy a HDTV bigger than about 50" and using a HD source.

I'd stick with your existing wires for everything else. Your existing subwoofer and optical cables should be fine.

For the speaker wire, plan to use 12 ga everywhere. Check out the Sound King brand from www.partsexpress.com . It should work out to less than $0.50/ft. If your dealer will sell you 12 ga Phoenix for about that price - go for it.

Note: if you plan to run in-wall, make sure to buy and install enough for 3 rear speakers.
 

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