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  1. #1
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    198

    Thumbs up Recommendations for speaker and XLR cable upgrades please

    Hi all.

    I have just aquired a new Xindak XA8800MNE pair of monoblocks which I've hooked in
    my pair of DynAudio Contour 1.8 Mk-II's.

    They are between 1 to 2 metres apart, I'm looking for a 2 to 2.5 metre exceptional
    quality pair of speaker cables. I need the left and right to be separate because I have
    monoblocks, so the speaker is not that far from them. I'm sure they can take in banana
    connector, but I am currently using bare wire, which I'm sure it's not recommended.

    In addition the DynAudio Contours cannot be bi-wired.

    I need someone to shed some light as I heard banana connector is not recommended.

    I see that Audioquest do a high variety of speaker cables to choose from. Are they
    very good ? or there are some even better than those ?

    Also I'm sure I will be getting a pair of XLR cables. I believe 1.75 to 2 metres should do
    the trick. They must be separate as my monoblocks are 90 cms (about 3 feet) from
    each other.

    Many thanks.

    Current System :

    Xindak XA8800MNE Mono Block Power Amplifier
    Cambridge Audio 840E Pre Amplifier
    Cambridge Audio 840C CD Player and DAC
    Dynaudio Contour 1.8 MK-II
    Pioneer DVR-640H (250 GB HDD)
    Foxtel Digital
    Samsung LCD 40in LA40M81BDX
    Sony PS 3 (source - CD/SACD/DVD/Blu-Ray)
    XLO Interconnects & speaker cables
    Sonos Wireless Music System

    Upgrade Path :

    1. Power regulation system

  2. #2
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    St. Louis, MO, USA
    Posts
    10,176
    Ozzie, bananas are fine, I use them with my t2.5's. Some like spades better because of the surface area connection and being able to tork them down. The best bananas are the WBT the expand after being inserted.

    I like Transparent with Dynaudio and the local Dyn dealer uses Transparent with them. Even better I like the Siltech but they are pretty expensive. On a budget but good cable is Blue Jeans or Tributaries.

    In head to head I preferred Transparent over Audioquest. Transparent seemed more clear and definitely better bass. The 1.8's will slam.

  3. #3
    abNORMal IBSTORMIN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Blue Springs, MO
    Posts
    246
    Quote Originally Posted by OzzieAudiophile
    Also I'm sure I will be getting a pair of XLR cables. I believe 1.75 to 2 metres should do
    the trick. They must be separate as my monoblocks are 90 cms (about 3 feet) from
    each other.
    Blue jeans sells both Canare and Belden and both are very good without breaking the bank.

  4. #4
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    198
    Thanks folks for the options, oh my, thankyou Mr P, Transparent cables ? heh if only price
    was not a factor :P Many of the high end exceed the total cost of my entire system haha.

    Speaker cables for 33k ? wow... lol that would break my budget like forever ? lol

    It's very worrying, but it would be good to find out just how much improvement can one expect
    from a speaker cable upgrade.

    I would say from source to speakers is like trying to fix a leaking water pipe system. Every
    hole/leak must be sealed to experience the best listening experience. So that means connecting
    from the sources to the receivers/DACS/Pre-amps to the power amps, to the speakers. They
    say garbage in, garbage out, I should work out my weakest cable and work from there. In this
    case it "may" be the speaker cables. I would need to bring in a stereo hifi professional. The one
    who works in the shop who sold me the amp. They are an amazing bunch, would highly
    recommend them to anyone coming to Western Australia for a visit.

    I am not exactly complaining about the cables I have now, but I'm sure there are cost effective
    room for improvement. I have to set a budget which is not over 2k for cables, as I've spent at least
    1k already. I intend to purchase 2 to 3 more pairs by the time I get a new source (CD player).
    Last edited by OzzieAudiophile; 04-27-2009 at 09:29 AM.
    Current System :

    Xindak XA8800MNE Mono Block Power Amplifier
    Cambridge Audio 840E Pre Amplifier
    Cambridge Audio 840C CD Player and DAC
    Dynaudio Contour 1.8 MK-II
    Pioneer DVR-640H (250 GB HDD)
    Foxtel Digital
    Samsung LCD 40in LA40M81BDX
    Sony PS 3 (source - CD/SACD/DVD/Blu-Ray)
    XLO Interconnects & speaker cables
    Sonos Wireless Music System

    Upgrade Path :

    1. Power regulation system

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