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Thread: Quality cables...worth the price? |
    
New member Username: Jims
VA
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jul-04
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| Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 01:19 pm: |
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I have a mid range system (receiver, 5.1 configured speakers, DVD player, DVD burner/TiVo, X-Box, VCR, TV). Everything is nice and sharp...sounds fine. Almost all of the cables throughout the entire system are just the plain old crappy manufacturer bundled cables that come with the components...the ones that didn't come with the components are the $5 department store equivilants.
My question is how significant an improvement could I expect from upgrading to quality cabling? Switching from almost all composite to optical, s-video and component where appropriate?
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New member Username: Boston76
Washington,
DC
US
Post Number: 3
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 08:42 am: |
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In my experience there is a significant difference between the inexpensive cables and higher end cables. That said I really cannot tell the difference between $30 AR component cables and my $80+ Monster CC's!! Of course I am no expert but I'd stick with cables in the mid-$$$ range. For the second part of the question...YES definetly step it up to Optical audio and Component video. They do indeed make a huge difference. I remember when I went from the standard RCA cables to Digital I was completely blown away with how much better everything sounded. Keep in mind you are not getting true 5.1 Digital from your DVD unless you are hooked up with either Coaxial or Optical digital cables. |
New member Username: Jims
VA
Post Number: 2
Registered: Jul-04
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| Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 09:34 am: |
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Thanks. Upgrading to mid-range cables seems like good advice. I'm at that awful part of having a home theater that comes when there's nothing left to add to it. Everythings working in unison. All there is to do is turn it on and watch movies. That's no fun. New cables will at least require climbing around behind the audio cabinet and disassembling everything! |
J. Vigne Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 11:43 am: |
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Jim, if you're bored I would suggest you try DIY. Fun, you'll learn interesting new things and it can eat up LOTS of money. Perfect for a hobby.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/doityour.htm
http://www.bottlehead.com/et/skill_level_ratings.htm
http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/tweaks.html
http://www.diytube.com/
Start with these and then hit the web. You have no idea how much more enjoyable audio is when you build your system literally from the ground up. |
Bronze Member Username: Kingdufus
Beantown
Post Number: 18
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 09:37 am: |
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Can anyone describe specifically HOW the sound improves when you upgrade from a standard RCA cable to a digital coaxial cable (or optical)? Is there more volume, better clarity, or maybe a boost of certain levels? Thanks! |
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| Posted on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 09:39 am: |
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J. Vigne, some questions from a newbie please...
1) Is Monster Cable really better than A.R?
2) Is it ok to use ordinary rca cable for low frequency / subwoofer?
3) Deftech's Prosub 100TL has specs of as low as 19hz, if its crossover is between 40 to 150hz, how can i enjoy the lower 39 to as low as 19 hz of the sub?
4) Is Deftech's Procenter C2 better than Wharfedale's Diamond Center? It will be for my existing: Marantz SR5300, Deftech Prosub 100TL, and WHarfedale Diamond 8.3 mains
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| Posted on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 10:45 am: |
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1) Monster Cable or A.R? Doesn't matter. If you can hear a difference your fooling yourself.
2) Ordinary rca for sub? No. You'll need something a bit thicker. Don't get caught up in brand name hype, but do get a thicker cable.
3) Crossover setting is a cutoff point for higher frequencies. Set at 40 you'll get 19-40hz. Set at 150 and you'll get 19-150hz. It needs to be set with your main speakers. Where they drop off on the low end, your sub should pick up. There should be some overlap in frequencies but not much. |
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