cheap, high quality interconnects?

[cokewithvanilla]

I need 7 interconnect cables to connet my 7270 to its preamp. Someone around here had pointed me to some good quality cables for around $125 a few months ago, however I have lost the link.

Does anyone know of something in this price range?

[AndyGwis]

contact frank at Signal cables. Tell him you're a member of club polk and get a slight discount.

They're great cables for the dough, in my opinion. Bluejeanscables.com is good as well.

[cokewithvanilla]

I looked at bluejeanscable, I could not find interconnects. I honestly am too stupid to know the dynamics of these cables, so I do not know if a regular audio cable would work (i mean I know they work, I mean properly). The ones that I was looking at were color coded in 7 different colors, which although is unnecessary for a 3 foot cable, its convenient.

Is there any difference between an interconnect and an analog RCA cable?

[cokewithvanilla]

ahhh... im stupid. I found them on bluejeanscable. So which do you prefer? bluejeans or signal? I have used bluejeans for the rest of my setup, however, I only wired them in the wall, they have never been plugged in. bluejeans is $20 cheaper, and I can get them any length I want.

[RutgersFTW]

No, there's not, especially not over a 3 foot run. 4 L-R RCA cables will get you there for a lot less than $125, but if you need to spend money on something the Blue Jeans ICs are sexy and relatively reasonable.

/out before I'm flamed

[Face]

IMO, Signal uses better termination. Don't forget, Signal also has a 5% discount for Polkies.

[McLoki]

I find the bass a little bloated and the highs less detailed and more grainy with Blue Jeans cable. (may be ok or even desireable for home theater, less so for 2 channel though)

Signal cable has much better clarity in the highs but can almost seem thin in the midbass by comparison. (I find I prefer it over blue jeans cable for both home theater and 2 channel in my system though)

The less reveling the rest of your system is, the less you will notice the differences. The more reveling, more everything stands out (both the good and the bad). Neither is the be all or end all of cables or good/bad in every system. I prefer the sound of signal and price of blue jeans... The choice is yours.

Michael.

BTW - the blue jeans cable I compared to signal was made with the 1505f cable. They did not have their new cable out at the time that I purchased them so they may now be different that what I have experienced. I have since moved on from signal cable to braided silver interconnects that seem to work a little better in my system.

[cokewithvanilla]

I would either be getting bluejeans LC-1 for $100 or signals low end for 120, or high end for 185 i think... what do you all say? My setuip should be a DMC-1 preamp, B&K 7270 Series 2 and LSI25, C, anf FX.

[McLoki]

Might be worth sending a note to ben62670 as well to see what his current price is for 7 interconnects. (those are the ones I am running now (he hand makes them) and they work great with the LSi's imo)

Edit - just wanted to clarify - the Blue Jeans cables I used were the 1505f cables and the Signal cables I used were the less expensive ones.

I have not compared the more expensive signals nor the newer LC-1 cables from Blue Jeans.

[cfrizz]

I'm satisfied with my BJC's.

You can't go wrong with either one. I went with BJC's because of the price. They are well built & you don't have to fight with them to get them on & off.

[janmike]

Another vote for Signal Cable. Great service and product.

[amulford]

Signal Cable Analog II's. great bang for your buck

[tonyb]

Go with the signal.....personally,the words "quality" and "cheap" don't belong in the same post.

[John K.]

Coke, interconnecting cables are one of the audio items where there's essentially no correlation between price and quality, and there's no good reason to pay anywhere near the price that you've been quoted. Quality cables at a reasonable price are available from sources such as MonoPrice, in various lengths and combinations. For example, when I got an $1100 sub a little over a year ago, I bought one of these (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023601&p_id=2743&seq=1&format=4#feedback) in a longer length for about $4. Seven of them would do the job for you and leave you with money to spend on something that matters.

[SolidSqual]

Signal, unless you can scoot the budget up a little more. I did BJC first and regretted it later. The Analog II and Ultra Cables are absolutely excellent.

If you have some extra money to spend, try Empirical Design Cables. The company shares the same philosophy as Signal Cable in terms of value and giving the customer what he or she wants, but turns the level of detail and clairty up more than a few notches.

[cokewithvanilla]

well, I see what you are saying about "cheap" and quality cannot be in the same sentence. However, cheap is a relative term. When you can spend $1500 on a single interconnect, I just have to mention cheap because I truly would never be able to justify 10,500 on 3 foot cables that connect my preamp to my amp. I would also never believe that there is a HUGE difference in $150 and $1500 cables. Maybe I should have said "the best bang for the buck" cables. and I am sure cheap quality exists, don't honestly tell me that it costs these guys anywhere near $1500 to make a 2 foot cable. At a certain point it’s all markup.

So, basically if you draw a graph that shows quality and markup, I want to land myself right at the point where markup shoots up, while quality stops rapidly progressing.... is that a better way to put it? :)

Thanks for the feedback on the cables. I looked at the higher end non silver cables from Signal, they are $55 more than bluejeans, and considering the bulk of you say Signal, signal it is. Kinda makes me feel bad about buying my other cables from bluejeans, and then running them all in the walls…

Oh, and besides… a cable that is better quality than the equipment that you own will not improve the sound of your equipment, right? Can’t your whole system only be as strong as the weakest link?

[george daniel]

you may want to pm ben62670,, can't hurt.

[cfrizz]

Unless you are experiencing some problem with your BJC's there is no need to feel bad about buying them or to think they are inferior. If you are happy with the job they have done, there is NO reason not to get more of them.

This is an area where you have to do what's best for you and not necessarily follow the crowd.

[WilliamM2]

Just get four sets of Tartan cables, a division of Blue Jeans Cable.

http://www.tartancable.com/stereo-cables/index.htm

[nikolas812]

Thanks for the feedback on the cables. I looked at the higher end non silver cables from Signal, they are $55 more than bluejeans, and considering the bulk of you say Signal, signal it is. Kinda makes me feel bad about buying my other cables from bluejeans, and then running them all in the walls…

Oh, and besides… a cable that is better quality than the equipment that you own will not improve the sound of your equipment, right? Can’t your whole system only be as strong as the weakest link?


I think you'll be very satisfied with the Signal Cables. For a Home Theater I won't use anything but Signal. I used to use BJC's, so I have experience with both. But when I got my first cable from signal I decided never to go back to BJC's. The quality and look and feel of the Signals was well worth the extra money to me. Don't get me wrong. BJC's are a decent budget cable and served me well for quite a long time. But IMO they just don't compare to the Signal Cables.



Nick

[McLoki]

The blue jeans cables are great cables for the price. Like everything else in audio, you will be really happy with them until you hear something better.

Enjoy your new cables.

[candyliquor35m]

cheap, high quality interconnects?

are you sure talking about audio here ;)

p.s. I thought cheap and high quality were oxymorons.

[F1nut]

I would also never believe that there is a HUGE difference in $150 and $1500 cables.

You couldn't be more wrong.

[janmike]

CWV - I assume that you are speaking from personal experience and not just your assumption.

[cokewithvanilla]

You couldn't be more wrong.

well, I could be wrong, but if you could make a list of the real cost that goes into a 1500 dollar cable, I am sure that it would be about 80% profit, thats all I am saying... for ten times the price, you probably arent getting ten times the cable.. I can't even think of what could go into a cable that could make it cost that much... I am willing to bet that most of the breakdown would be considered "research and development" which is only as expensive as you make it.

Ah, thats beside the point... I am certainly not going to purchase cables that cost as much as my gear. Since I am not even considering these options, no point in talking about them... at least not in this thread :)

I guess what I am saying is my equipment isn't even as good as that cable, so at a certain point *I* wouldn't be gaining anything without upgrading my current system. I know nothing about amps/preamps, but if anyone understands this its almost as if you buy a videocard three times as fast as your processor (for your computer, i know I changed subjects) you would not gaining anything; you would be limited by your processor in most applications, and you would not see considerable gains until you first upgraded your processor. So, consider the video card the cables, and the processor my equipment. Thats the best way I can explain my situation, I want cable EQUAL to my equipment, and no more.

However, at this point I think I am still sticking with Signal cable. If I notice my equipment sounds terrible, I will buy a $500 dollar cable and do a side by side test, if I don't notice a difference, I will return it.

[McLoki]

However, at this point I think I am still sticking with Signal cable. If I notice my equipment sounds terrible, I will buy a $500 dollar cable and do a side by side test, if I don't notice a difference, I will return it.

And thats how it is supposed to work. Try it yourself. If you hear a difference, great. If not - no harm, no foul.

You do have to share your experience either way though.

Michael

[daboyz]

Just get the Signal A II's or Ben's silvers and forget about the rest.

[tonyb]

Just get the Signal A II's or Ben's silvers and forget about the rest.


Good advice.

Great bang for the buck.

[F1nut]

for ten times the price, you probably arent getting ten times the cable.

Yeah, I am.

[grumlenz]

On Signal Cable's website they have Analog II and Analog II Balanced. The Balanced ones cost more, what does that actually mean being "Balanced" or what is the benefit vs. the regular Analog II's. I have an Onkyo TX-SR805 and just ordered an Adcom GFA-5500 Amp, which interconnects would be best for that setup? Thanks!

[McLoki]

Balanced referes to the type of cable (and more importantly to you, the type of connector). Without getting into alot of design theory, the 805 does not have balanced connectors so I would stick with normal RCA's.

Michael

[polktiger]

But when I got my first cable from signal I decided never to go back to BJC's. The quality and look and feel of the Signals was well worth the extra money to me.
Nick

I don't mean this to pick on you as I am far from an expert. But comments like the one you made above are to me at the core of the "great cable debate." I don't look at my cables. I keep them hidden. I don't tinker with the connections much unless I am swapping somthing out (uncommon for me). While I have been around audio a long time, I am not a big on expiramenting. (I am the same way with golf clubs - I am the problem with golf, not my clubs). It will be a while (if ever) before I A/B cables simply becuase I don't hear nearly as well as I used to, so I no longer pick up on subtle differences very well.

You indicated that you pefer signals due to a physical differences over Blue Jeans. It was their appearance, not sound that appealed to you. Again, I am not condemning your decision, certainly make decisions based on anything that floats your boat. (I know I walk to the beat of my own drum.) But, in reading these numerous threads on cables it seems most people are looking for sound differences, not appearance differences and comments like yours seems to add to the confusion. I think simply looking at the pictures of the BLC and signals will show that the signals are far more attractive. (But let's be honest, Monster can at least make a pretty cable.)

[shack]

Build quality can certainly be a factor. In addition to Signal Cable ICs having a sound quality I prefer over BJC, they are better built IMO. Even if they sounded similar, there is "value" to the build quality of an item. Whether it is aesthetics or feel or durability...it does matter to some.

[polktiger]

Build quality can certainly be a factor. In addition to Signal Cable ICs having a sound quality I prefer over BJC, they are better built IMO. Even if they sounded similar, there is "value" to the build quality of an item. Whether it is aesthetics or feel or durability...it does matter to some.

Sure, I will agree build quality can certinaly be what pushes one cable over another. But I would, I think prefacing a recomendation would be appropriate...for example "BJC and Signals sound similar to me, but I prefer the build quality of the Signal. So, I went Signal."

I don't know, I just think a little more insight like that might cut down on some of the bickering about whether people actually hear a difference between cables.

If cables are important to someone, I still think the best way is blind folded, have your friend swap cables for you and let your ears decide. As I said before, Metallica took care of my decision many years ago. So I really have no dog in the fight.

[Face]

IMO, another testimony how Signal has superior quality is how it they fit nice and snug. Unlike BJC, which feels loose on most of my connections.

[cfrizz]

I happen to love that looser fit, since I won't have to fight with it to get it on or off on the few occaisions that I need to do so.

Nor will it spontaneously fall off. It goes on & stays on until I remove it.

Both BJC & Signal are USA made & sold cables that will get the job done. One costs more than the other because it's got a fancy cover. If it is worth it to you to pay the price for that, have at it. If not, BJC's work just as well for less.

[Face]

Nor will it spontaneously fall off. It goes on & stays on until I remove it.

You're not playing your music loud enough. :D

[cfrizz]

You're damn right I'm not. I want to preserve my hearing into my old age without benefit of a hearing aid!:D

But that doesn't mean I don't rock out!!!!:p:D

[cokewithvanilla]

alright, I could not delay any longer. I ordered 7 Analog II's from Signal Cable. It is there color-coded HT set. I ordered them at a three-foot length, just in case. Unfortunately, due to the holiday weekend and the amount of current orders, my cables will not be shipped out until tuesday of next week, and will not arrive until late next week.

Thank you all for your comments regarding these cables and for helping me make a decision. I am sure the Signal cables will treat me well, and I will probably never know the difference since I have no plans of switching them out. Although I will test them against some crappy cables that came with old gear :)

[nikolas812]

I don't mean this to pick on you as I am far from an expert. But comments like the one you made above are to me at the core of the "great cable debate." I don't look at my cables. I keep them hidden. I don't tinker with the connections much unless I am swapping somthing out (uncommon for me). While I have been around audio a long time, I am not a big on expiramenting. (I am the same way with golf clubs - I am the problem with golf, not my clubs). It will be a while (if ever) before I A/B cables simply becuase I don't hear nearly as well as I used to, so I no longer pick up on subtle differences very well.

You indicated that you pefer signals due to a physical differences over Blue Jeans. It was their appearance, not sound that appealed to you. Again, I am not condemning your decision, certainly make decisions based on anything that floats your boat. (I know I walk to the beat of my own drum.) But, in reading these numerous threads on cables it seems most people are looking for sound differences, not appearance differences and comments like yours seems to add to the confusion. I think simply looking at the pictures of the BLC and signals will show that the signals are far more attractive. (But let's be honest, Monster can at least make a pretty cable.)




I am sorry you didn't like my post. I don't know why it matters to you. It had nothing to do with you.

I simply wrote a short statement telling the Original Poster that he will probably like his new cables. At least thats the way I wanted it to sound.

I could have went on and on about why the signals were better but I didn't feel it was needed.

If it was a review I was writing it would have been a different story. But it wasn't. So I didn't.

If you would like to read one of my reviews on the BJC's VS Audioquest. Please feel free to.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63595

Maybe you'll be a little happier with the information given.

Cheers:)

Nick

[McLoki]

alright, I could not delay any longer. I ordered 7 Analog II's from Signal Cable. It is there color-coded HT set. I ordered them at a three-foot length, just in case. Unfortunately, due to the holiday weekend and the amount of current orders, my cables will not be shipped out until tuesday of next week, and will not arrive until late next week.

Thank you all for your comments regarding these cables and for helping me make a decision. I am sure the Signal cables will treat me well, and I will probably never know the difference since I have no plans of switching them out. Although I will test them against some crappy cables that came with old gear :)

Did you happen to mention you were a club polk member? I think there is a 5% discount for that. Not alot, but in the end, you can spend it as easily as they can....

Enjoy the new cables,

Michael