Author Topic: Cables - Thoughts? (Read 11244 times)

nickgregory · « **on:** April 03, 2003, 09:06:46 AM »

Alright, so I am currently running a set of canare starquad's with neutrik connectors for my rig:

391(3)'s->B-18->AT CP8201->Mod SBM-1->D100

I am considering upgrading to a set of audio magic xstream cables for the run from the mic's to the power supply. My initial intent would be to continue to use my 1' XLR->RCA Canare cables for the transformer to SBM run.

My question is on opinions as to whether I would see any noticeable difference in using the Audio Magic.

Thoughts?

Nick

jlykos · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2003, 09:48:10 AM »

I would not spend the extra money on the Audio Magics with that rig. I would upgrade the mics or purchase a preamp before spending the cash on a set of "fancy" cables. You most likely would not notice a difference with those mics capturing the signal.

nickgregory · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2003, 09:51:41 AM »

Quote from: jlykos on April 03, 2003, 09:48:10 AM

I would not spend the extra money on the Audio Magics with that rig. I would upgrade the mics or purchase a preamp before spending the cash on a set of "fancy" cables. You most likely would not notice a difference with those mics capturing the signal.

That was my thought as well, but as always curiosity got the best of me.....thanks.

Nick

jpschust · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2003, 11:31:35 AM »

Agreed. And if you are going to get better cables anyways Id suggest not going with audio magics. I bought the Excallibur II's when I had my rig and they were certainly well made cables, but definately not worth what I had to pay for them.

Jonny

Tim · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2003, 03:09:06 PM »

Yeah I ran Canare's for a long time (with my 391'z no less), they are really nice cables. Spend the money elsewhere! I have run a rig for 4 years now and am just now spending money on nice cables to go with my new mic(s). Put the cable money in other portions of your rig for now.

nickgregory · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2003, 03:18:04 PM »

Quote from: Tim on April 03, 2003, 03:09:06 PM

Yeah I ran Canare's for a long time (with my 391'z no less), they are really nice cables. Spend the money elsewhere! I have run a rig for 4 years now and am just now spending money on nice cables to go with my new mic(s). Put the cable money in other portions of your rig for now.

Thanks for the feedback Tim...Truth be told, after running a Sax with my rig last weekend, I definitely think that is my next addition....but with me getting married later this year...well, lets just say it would have been easier to slide cable money through right now than pre-amp money...

Good advice though....as I said earlier, my curiosity gets the best of me in most cases!

Nick

Tim · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2003, 06:15:04 PM »

I am buying as much gear as I can while I am still single

nickgregory · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2003, 06:37:11 PM »

Quote from: Tim on April 03, 2003, 06:15:04 PM

I am buying as much gear as I can while I am still single

right idea....I wish I heeded that advice earlier!

creekfreak · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2003, 07:52:27 PM »

I like my purple audio magic cables, and chicks dig them too?

jpschust · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2003, 08:48:03 PM »

yah the day a chick digs any of my spending on audio gear is the day i marry her.

nickgregory · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2003, 09:09:24 PM »

Quote from: jpschust on April 03, 2003, 08:48:03 PM

yah the day a chick digs any of my spending on audio gear is the day i marry her.

Oh she is ok with it....just in times of layoffs and weddings and honeymoons to pay off...we lets just say that it isn't easy....but yes, she digs it...which is partly why I am marrying her!

Mic D · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2003, 01:17:42 PM »

Quote from: nickgregory on April 03, 2003, 09:06:46 AM

My question is on opinions as to whether I would see any noticeable difference in using the Audio Magic.

Actually, I HAVE noticed a difference between AM cables. I did a home-test a while back when I first got my new pair of interconnects. I compared ONLY the interconnects (beacuse I did'nt have the 15's yet) and found out that my new pair (Presto II's) sounded a lot better than my old ones (X-Steam's). It's kind of hard to describe the difference, but the Presto's where more fuller/clearer/in-your-face sounding, IMHO. It was kind of like the X-Streams were a generation lower in quality, if that makes any sense. I have yet to compare my new 15's and don't feel I need to because the interconnect test told enough. With that said, I do agree that your cables should be one of the last things you should upgrade in your rig but whether you like it or not, CABLES DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! If you can afford 'em, sport 'em!

Kevin

jpschust · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2003, 01:22:05 PM »

Kevin,

I agree that good cables do make a difference, however id say put your money in your pre, ad mics and deck before you work on cables. that being said you can get some really nice 15' BLUE cables for 40-50 bucks a cable... they are wonderfully made cables. You shouldn't use crap in the meantime, however its not neccesary to start with 800 dollar cables.

jlykos · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2003, 04:47:43 PM »

One pair of cables that I am saving my $$$ for are those Zaoella cables. I bought a pair of the XLR interconnects and they are incredible! Great detail and especially clarity; scary sometimes. The 15 foot mic cables look awfully nice.....

Wiggler · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2003, 06:13:05 PM »

Also don't forget to break your cables in. Its a good idea to hook them up to a amp and run them them for a couple of days to break them in. I have read on some of the audiophile sites cables take about 100 hours to break in. see attached.
http://www.gcaudio.com/Archives/BreakinRealorImagined.htm

coop · « **Reply #15 on:** April 05, 2003, 11:03:46 PM »

it is also important(and no one has mentioned it) to regularly de-oxidize your connectors. it can make all your gear, both recording and playback, sound brand new. i do it to all my stuff about every 4 to 6 months. an inexpensive tweak that goes a long way sonicly. check out caig products, i think their website is caig.com.

jpschust · « **Reply #16 on:** April 05, 2003, 11:28:06 PM »

Really fantastic point +T

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2003, 12:00:56 AM »

never thought of that......+T to ya.......

bean

creekfreak · « **Reply #18 on:** April 06, 2003, 10:11:31 PM »

nice post coop...how does one go about doing that?

creekfreak · « **Reply #19 on:** April 06, 2003, 10:13:56 PM »

and also, the first thing my wife said about my AM cables was "those look cool, and you know how much I love purple

:

John R · « **Reply #20 on:** April 07, 2003, 10:04:36 AM »

interconnects are an integral, often overlooked part of any system. even though it's great to spend the early dough on mics, pre/ad, etc., what your recording device gets is only as good as the delivery from the cales.

good quality inexpensive cables can be found at ed's place,
www.kindkables.com

jr

nickgregory · « **Reply #21 on:** April 07, 2003, 10:07:05 AM »

Quote from: John R on April 07, 2003, 10:04:36 AM

interconnects are an integral, often overlooked part of any system. even though it's great to spend the early dough on mics, pre/ad, etc., what your recording device gets is only as good as the delivery from the cales.

good quality inexpensive cables can be found at ed's place,
www.kindkables.com

jr

I can second this...Ed actually made my current set of cables...custom length and at a good price point....

John R · « **Reply #22 on:** April 07, 2003, 10:31:32 AM »

nick, i do use x-streams and like them much. i know ed, but had already gotten my gear from nutter and ed wasn't in full production mode yet.

jr

Tim · « **Reply #23 on:** April 07, 2003, 05:25:33 PM »

I have met and taped with Ed several times (sold him his ticket to his first Phish show on 2/18/03) and while I've never used his cables I'll vouch for him as really one of the good guys in the scene. He's a tall dude who loves to wear the hat!

dmonterisi · « **Reply #24 on:** April 07, 2003, 06:00:46 PM »

i'll second everything that's been said about Ed. Super nice guy and he makes good quality cables but at lower cost because he doesn't have the overhead of a big company and no middle-men. and because he can easily construct cables from scratch he does a lot of good custom work. i have right angle xlr's and coax and just ordered a right-angle AES cable, all at half-meter lengths, which is nice to eliminate a bunch of unnecessary cables when i'm using the active setup. plus, he's making me an 8 meter 75 ohm digi-coax for connecting my computer to my stereo for $35, i think. i couldn't find any company such as monster that makes them longer than 4 meters and their 75 ohm cables were at least twice the price at half the length.

-damon

coop · « **Reply #25 on:** April 07, 2003, 10:21:32 PM »

Quote from: creekfreak on April 06, 2003, 10:11:31 PM

nice post coop...how does one go about doing that?

swab on the de-oxit, wait a minute, wipe off. repeat on all cables & connectors. your q-tips will be black with oxides when you are finished.

Marc Nutter · « **Reply #26 on:** April 08, 2003, 12:19:01 AM »

Hi All,

I certainly think this type of maintanence is a great idea.

Fortunately, however, cables that are connected and disconnected regularly will have a bit of a self-cleaning effect due to the friction of taking them in and out of whatever they are connecting to.

Interestingly enough, the problem of oxide build-up is more significant on permanently installed gear. If you really wanna see some crud built up, check your rca's that have been on your home stereo for a few years. Clean those suckers and it's like having a new set of cables.

De-Oxit rules!!!

Happy Recording,

Marc