Speaker Cable Survey

[Rod#S]

My current speaker cables are Ixos purchased in 2002. I can't remember how much they cost. I bought 5 separate runs, 3x15' for the fronts and 2x50' for the rears. A year later I bought 2 more lengths for surrounds at 2x30'. Looking at the Ixos website my cables are similar in design to the XHS806W, XHS706W and XHS606W. I don't believe they are as heavy a guage as the 806 though, 13AWG comes to mind but there only seems to be 11 and 15 now. The model numbers 6066 and 3033 seem to come to mind for what was available at the time with mine being 3033 but don't hold me to that. My most recent pair are white in color like the current series but my original 5 are purple. At the time I desparately wanted to get the Kimber 4TC but couldn't afford them and my dealer suggested the Ixos.

Over the winter I had the opportunity to borrow a pair of Kimber Monacle XL's from my dealer and was absolutely blown away by them. At the time they were connected to a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100v2s. The moment I powered on the system it was like I had bought a new pair of speakers. The clarity and depth of the soundstage was stunning compared to the Ixos. I have since started upgrading my speakers to a B&W Diamond based system and plan on adding some nice Kimbers in the future. The question will be what model to go with

[ehoove]

Here goes!

I sold all my boutique cables and have replaced them with the following DIY cables in my Magnapan system.

Subs - 12 Ga, OFC Magnet wire
Bass panels - 10Ga. OFC very fine strand
Midrange panels - silver plated OFC mil spec NASA mission critical solid core woven 22ga.X5
Ribbons - solid core silver mil spec NASA mission critical woven 28ga. X3 woven

After much experimentation this is the combo that offers the best combination of soundstage and balance of presentation.
Regards,
Jim

[f1 fan]

Originally Posted by Rod#S

My current speaker cables are Ixos purchased in 2002. I can't remember how much they cost. I bought 5 separate runs, 3x15' for the fronts and 2x50' for the rears. A year later I bought 2 more lengths for surrounds at 2x30'. Looking at the Ixos website my cables are similar in design to the XHS806W, XHS706W and XHS606W. I don't believe they are as heavy a guage as the 806 though, 13AWG comes to mind but there only seems to be 11 and 15 now. The model numbers 6066 and 3033 seem to come to mind for what was available at the time with mine being 3033 but don't hold me to that. My most recent pair are white in color like the current series but my original 5 are purple. At the time I desparately wanted to get the Kimber 4TC but couldn't afford them and my dealer suggested the Ixos.

Over the winter I had the opportunity to borrow a pair of Kimber Monacle XL's from my dealer and was absolutely blown away by them. At the time they were connected to a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100v2s. The moment I powered on the system it was like I had bought a new pair of speakers. The clarity and depth of the soundstage was stunning compared to the Ixos. I have since started upgrading my speakers to a B&W Diamond based system and plan on adding some nice Kimbers in the future. The question will be what model to go with

Rod...Kimber Monacle XL with KS 9038 jumpers if you're bi wiring. This combo will get you close to the KS3035 hybrid speaker cable. The PK10 Palladian pc's are the best cord made and the Kimber Select ics are amazing from the copper to the all silver. Highly recommend Kimber products.

Dave

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[Rod#S]

Originally Posted by f1 fan

Rod...Kimber Monacle XL with KS 9038 jumpers if you're bi wiring. This combo will get you close to the KS3035 hybrid speaker cable. The PK10 Palladian pc's are the best cord made and the Kimber Select ics are amazing from the copper to the all silver. Highly recommend Kimber products.

Dave

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

Thanks for the suggestions Dave, much appreciated.

Rod

[krell-diva]

I am using Kimber 3033 8' pair single connection with Wilson Maxx 2.

[rdl20]

Transparent Plus speaker wires; Transparent, Acoustic Zen, Morrow Audio ICs and AZ Digital. The speaker wires were a particular revelation to me since I never believed that speaker wires could make a difference. Now I can't listen without TA Plus wires.

[lostinla]

I've gone all cardas clear light. Speaker cables and interconnects throughout. I auditioned and have owned a fair few wires before buying and settling on these. The best description of the sound is "clear". They seem to have lowered the noise floor and the music flows very nicely. I'm happy!

[JSCC]

Yup.

Use to "roll wires". Now no need. BUT looking back, there's only 3 brands that intrigues me:

1. Shunyata
2. Transparent
3. Cardas

Well, I spent all my monies on Cardas, as compared to the other two, top for top, its way cheaper!

Cheers!

[AndyPandy]

I'm using Grave Science Australian cables. Particularly suited for bright systems that need some weight. Perfect with ESL's. Didn't work with the Avantgarde's last weekend. But then again they needed silver with the tubes.

Inexpensive made to the same design as Kimber. Improved and 1/4 the price.

[miner]

I use Kimber 12TC 8' run for my Sf Cremona Auditor Ms.