cables and interconnects for Two towers [message #48120] |
Thu, 03 November 2005 09:13 |
Shane
Messages: 1117 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (3rd Degree) |
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Ok, after much hassle for Wayne and I with UPS over the last three months, I finally should have a new amp and CDP this morning (NAD 320Bee and 520Bee, sorry you SET guys, but I've decided to build the tube amps instead of buy one). Got some Royal speaker cable from Bill which sounds nice on my vintage Kenwood setup and now need to get some decent IC's for the new stuff. First of all, with Xmas coming up my fundage is severely limited, so we're looking at inexpensive IC's ($30 or so) that are of decent quality to get me by till this summer. I realize that everyone hears things differently, but opinions at his point are most welcome.
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Re: cables and interconnects for Two towers [message #48121 is a reply to message #48120] |
Thu, 03 November 2005 13:47 |
GarMan
Messages: 960 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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I don't have a specific recommendation, but if you can solder, you can build a set for $30 that'll out perform anything you can get off the rack for that money. If you're really serious about performance, forget the IC. Arrange your CDP and amp back to back, open up the covers, and solder the CDP output directly to the amp's input, bypassing the RCA jacks altogether. I'm only half joking of course, but the best IC is no IC. gar.
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Got the new amp and CDP. [message #48124 is a reply to message #48120] |
Thu, 03 November 2005 18:38 |
Shane
Messages: 1117 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (3rd Degree) |
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All I can say is holy S%#@! Even with the cheapo connects that came with the CDP this thing sounds good! I have the setup in a 15x15' room with the Pi's in the corners (not ideal, but the wall is split with two doorways to go to seperate bathrooms, so the stereo is in the middle between the doors). The speakers sound a bit peaky and I had to roll the treble setting on the amp off a little bit, but I expect that to smooth out as the Pi's only have about 5 hours on them, if that, and the amp needs breaking in. Not a SET, but definitely nice sounding for an inexpensive SS setup. The Pi's will go LOUD, damn! but sound really, really good at low levels especially with acoustic tracks. Need to go shopping tomorrow for new cables.
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Re: cables and interconnects for Two towers [message #48126 is a reply to message #48120] |
Sun, 06 November 2005 15:17 |
Paul C.
Messages: 218 Registered: May 2009
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Master |
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I've been thinking of all the crappy ways to connect speaker wires, and what I am going to do is retrofit my amps with the Neutrik Speakon sockets. They can accept the Speakon plugs, which are becoming the standard in pro audio gear, and still accept 1/4" phone plugs in the center. The same company makes XLR sockets that accept 2 cond or 3 cond 1/4 phone plugs as well as XLR. These people are thinking! Next to these, "5 way binding posts", aren't bad. You can get jack plates that have room for both, one Neutrik Speakon socket, and a pair of posts.. which accept plain wire, spades, banana plugs, etc.
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DIY IC's? [message #48141 is a reply to message #48120] |
Wed, 09 November 2005 21:08 |
Shane
Messages: 1117 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (3rd Degree) |
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Well, dang. After really researching about IC's and finding everyone has an opinion (kinda like speakers and tube amps), I'm thinking it may be best to just make up a pair. Handmade Audio has some 20-22Ga silver wire and teflon sleeving for it for pretty cheap. Put some decent RCA's and Techflex on there and like Garman said "$30". And it would go with the whole DIY thing I've got going now anyway. There is also pre-braided silver wire from Homegrown Audio for a little more.
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