Interconnect cables - Passive Pre > ST120 Tube Amp

TGIF,

I recently purchased a Passive Pre-Amp to go with my ST120 amp. I have the high gain VTA board and the passive preamp has been sounding really nice in my opinion.

I read that it is advised to use as short interconnect cables as possible from the source to the volume control and especially from the volume control to the power amplifier.

I have a couple sets of decent older Monster interconnect cable in 3' that I'll use to run things to the passive preamp. I'm looking to buy a nicer set of 2' or 3' interconnect cables to run from the passive preamp to the ST120 amp... What do you all use?

I don't want to get the top of the line... Just a good / Better. I'd pay 60 - 80 bucks for a set.

Thanks all and have a good weekend

Andy

I like Blue Jeans LC-1, reasonably priced, well shielded and good performance.
You can order in any custom length.

www.bluejeanscable.com

Those look nice. I found these as well...

http://zebracables.com/1505.html

Thanks for chiming in bigmm79

While not specifically for passive pre-amp use. I like my Kimber Timbers. You can get a variety of lengths starting at 0.5 meter.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KKTI

I see that I suggested cables above your price point. Sorry about that. I also ran across these.http://signalcable.com/silverresolutionanalog.html There are also less expensive models in copper. I have no experience with them. The specs just seem good.

Hey, no problem WntrMute2. Both options look nice. I may step up the price I'll spend for the cables running from the passive to the amp. Thanks for chiming in with these leads.. Both look good to go for sure.

You might also read it is important for your use to have interconnects low in capacitance. I don't know how these measure in that respect.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ANOV1&variation=1.0PRCRC

I am using a 5 meter pair with an active preamp and they are not doing anything bad. I like them; they're hollow, they're oval, and they come in a lovely purple color-sure to complement any decor.

I see those purple cables in your avitar... These look nice and the tech specs on them are good. That purple is a bit of a hang up for me. I can't believe that they don't have a black color option on them! they are nice. Not intending to harp on them... Just something to get used to.

Howdy, I made some interconnect cables using Neotech NEI-3001 ("NEI-3001 is a four conductor cable using one solid core and one multi gauge stranded UPOCC conductor per pole. The conductors are then arranged in the cable using PE air tubes, wrapped with Teflon tape, and then double shielded. UPOCC copper conductors & Polyethylene insulation produce a very balanced and natural sound. This cable uses Al-Mylar & OFC braided shielding for external shielding.")

Although it is fairly thick - I used Eichmann Bullets and drilled out the metal cylinders - the shielding and quality conductors made a very nice difference in my system.

DIY! Nice! Thanks all!

WntrMute2, Bob, I appreciate the lead on Signal Cable. I ended up doing an order on the higer end Silver Series cables and got them in a length of 2' - 6". Going with 2' would have been a hair short and 3' would have worked... I called the guy at Signal and he just said he'd make me the 2' - 6" and just charge me 10 bucks for the extra 6" (20 bucks per foot over 2'). Custom cables! I dig it!

Thanks again for the lead.

Mantha, becautious before you spend it up a notch. Audio foil cablery is one area where snakeoil is to be found inthe highest concentration in our hobby.

You'll nodoubt be interested to read varying opinions, explanations, theories ranging from the reasonable to the ridiculous, and reports of listening tests and experiments that can be found round the net.

The funniest one I read was where a fellow swapped out high end cables in a high end system, and made the connections using coat hangers. Some how he was able to do a blind a/b comparison for several audiophile acquaintences--they emphatically reported preferring the coat hangers...til they learned what it was.

I'll try and find a link to it,but i was persuaded by an article arguing that the ratioof wire guage to length is the main thing, and once it is suffiently thick, there is little to be done to improve on it. Further, exotic cables purport to solve problems that either don't exist at audio frequencies, or are inaudible in the wire lengths we would ever use.

Funny! Ya know... That sounds familiar. I do remember reading something to that point on Monster Wires and how they were compared to coat hangers. I can't remember. I'm not planning to buy any more. Just want a good set in a short length from the passive pre to the amp. The cable I have now is 6 foot 20 year old cheap Radio Shack.

I hear ya.. Lots of ways to spend money on things that don't do a bit of good for the sound. At times I forget that this is all this is about.

Here is a link to one of my favorite speaker wire discussions written by someone who's resume is very impressive in the aduio world. Roger Russell Wire Discussion I know I will be branded by some as a nay-sayer, but my ears have lived and worked in the world, as such, they ring most times, hearing tests indicate Ive lost most hearing above 6k, so like mantha3 indicated, I try not to forget this is all about the sound. I use 12ga zip cord from Home Depot run to a pair of DIY GR Research OB-7's, sounds great to me and my wife. My interconnect cables are simple RCA connectors from various sources. Ive tried the expensive cables but just couldnt tell the difference so I returned them and bought 8 CD for the price of the cables. To each his own, and his own ears, you like'm you get'm, only helping the audio economy and not hurting a sole.

Great info newport, thanks for posting the link.
pcr

Looking at this from a different perspective, there will always be those who will want expensive wire, not because there is an audible difference, but because they may value pride of ownership and prestige in a similar way to that of owning a Tiffany lamp or a Rolex watch.

PS - That last post is from the article pointed out by newport... Not me... good reads! Interesting history... the speaker wire.

mantha3 wrote:Looking at this from a different perspective, there will always be those who will want expensive wire, not because there is an audible difference, but because they may value pride of ownership and prestige in a similar way to that of owning a Tiffany lamp or a Rolex watch.

I believe that as well, and may they have the best they can afford. For some it is as much about the gear, tinkering, and collecting all to find just the right look, sound, and combination that interests that person. All these factors are reasons I have always found this so enjoyable. Aside from being fiercely frugal, the DIY aspect of this hobby helps me fullfill most of those same goals. I also believe that those concepts are better understood to marketing types than the engineering type who live and die by numbers and pure data, not concepts or feelings, which is why I believe the folks at McIntosh seemed to have a hard time understanding it. It seems as with Religion and Politics, there will always be some discord, best to agree to disagree and move on.