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Cables Galore Speaker cables, Interconnects & Power cords |
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#1
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20ft speaker cables + 3ft interconnects OR 8ft speaker cables + 12ft interconnects?
I'd like to get some opinions on equipment placement.
1. Put my preamp, amp, sources on a rack to the side of the room which would mean that I'd need a longer run of speaker cables (20ft or so) but my preamp, amp, sources would all have short interconnects. OR 2. Put my amp between my speakers and run longer (12ft or so) pair of interconnects from my preamp (unbalanced RCA) - then my speaker cables would be shorter (8ft or so). Hopefully that makes sense - perhaps it is a 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other, but I'd like some opinions. Thanks in advance! |
#2
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Option 2 is the way to go!
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#3
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Option 2 for sure!
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#4
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The common argument I have heard is that long interconnects, particularly balanced ones, are preferable to long speaker cables. Speaker cables carry much larger loads with lower impedances and are more susceptible to the added resistance introduced by longer speaker cables. Additionally, longer speaker cables tend to be more expensive because the longer they are, the heavier they must be.
Conversely, however, I have had long runs (20') of single-ended interconnects (cardas neutral reference at that time) that were very susceptible to noise. Dimming my lights would create an audible hum from the speakers. Any noise picked up in the interconnect is then amplified, whereas noise in a speaker cable would be inaudible due to the very low voltage levels relative to the signal. In my case, switching to a balanced pre-amp and interconnects solved my issue, the common mode rejection of noise offered by balanced transmission eliminated the hum completely. Possibly better shielded single-ended cables may also have solved my issue. There is a great article on this topic here: Is it better to have short interconnects and long speaker cables or visa-versa? : Empirical Audio |
#5
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Short speaker cables.
Long interconnects.
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Main: McIntosh XRT1K MDA1000 MC402 | JL F113 | Bryston BUC-1 | WireWorld Cabling | RGPC1200C | PPP
Office: Bel Canto S300iu 24/96 | KEF LS50 | REL R218 | WW Mini Eclipse | 18 TB Media Server Mobile: McIntosh MX406 MDA5000 MCD4000 MCC420M | JM Lab/Focal Utopia |
#6
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I went against conventional wisdom and changed from short speaker cables and long interconnects To long speaker cables. The wife didn't like the amp in the middle. My dealer recommended transparent cables and said it would sound great and not to be concerned ..... And it sounds great. We tried it also with the same type of cables with short speaker cables and we could not hear a difference.
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#7
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Quote:
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#8
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I did option 2 for my setup. Much less expensive to buy a longer interconnect than long speaker cables. The amp is alone in the middle of the two speakers.
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Serge |
#9
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I have always had short interconnects and long speaker cables. Is this where I am going wrong? It is probably more to do with room layouts and sizes in the UK, than which is best.
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Avid Acutus SP, NO ARM, Benz Micro LP-S, Whest Audio PS.40RDT SE, PS Audio DSMP+DS DAC, Simaudio Moon 700i, Dali Epicon 6, Simaudio Moon Nēo 430HAD, HiFiMan HE-1000v2, Chord Sarum SA XLR, RCA, USB, Chord Sarum speaker, Nordost Vishnu power, Furutech plugs, PS Audio P10+Chord Sarum SA power, Stillpoints Ultra SS, Ultra Mini and LPI, HiFi Racks rack, Audio Desk Systeme PRO+Keith Monks Omni RCM |
#10
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Quote:
Whichever is functionally or aesthetically more suitable. Those distances are not relevant audio wise. I would use 14 gauge or better on a 20 foot speaker run. Speaker Impedance 8 Ohm Load 6 Ohm Load 4 Ohm Load Wire Gauge Distance (ft) Distance (ft) Distance (ft) 18 AWG 10 8 5 16 AWG 20 15 10 14 AWG 35 30 20 12 AWG 60 45 30 10 AWG 100 75 50 |
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