Chord Cobra Plus vs Van den Hul "The Name" RCA Interconnects and some speaker cables
Hi there everyone!
I have a pair of wonderful REGA RS3 connected to an AUDIOLAB 8000A and a BERESFORD CAIMAN DAC and I need some interconnects for the DAC. I am currently using some cheap generic professional studio RCA cables, not very good I'm affraid. The sound is very good but I feel I am losing some detail, specially in the mids. I think it can better it as it feels theres something missing. I am going to try changing the cables in my system, before trying recap the AUDIOLAB, as it's getting a bit old.
1. Has anyone ever compared the CHORD COBRA PLUS (or 3) to the VAN DEN HUL "THE NAME", or which should be better or for the price what else should I be looking for?
2.Should I try and look for a step above these, like the CHAMELEON or the D-102 III or "THE WAVE"?
3. Also, I can get AUDIOQUEST's COPPERHEAD for around £40 and the DIAMONDBACK for around the same price as the COBRA, should any of these be a better option? I read somewhere they are a bit fragile.
4.Or maybe should I try and make a DIY clone of the REGA COUPLE cable, using some KLOTZ cable and NEUTRIK connectors for under £30?
5. Has anyone tried any TELLURIUM Q BLUE series of speaker cable and interconnects, and how should they compare to the above?
6.Finally, I am using the QED 79 strand cable to connect the speakers, I am thinking of changing these later too. Do you think I should change these to the CHORD ODYSSEY 2 or the VAN DEN HUL D-352 or CS-122, has anyone compared any of these, or should I try to get some VAN DAMME BLUE 4mm for cheap? Will I get much of a difference in sound to be worth the £100 plus?
Thank you!
Mate, always remember the beer principle. £100 buys you a lot of the amber liquid 
Mate, always remember the beer principle. £100 buys you a lot of the amber liquid
Ah, but the very latest research, says to have 2 "drink free" days a week...so put the money saved towards cables. 
Doesn't work like that, you've still got 5 days to catch up on what you missed on the two AA days 
Doesn't work like that, you've still got 5 days to catch up on what you missed on the two AA days
.....or I suppose you could just take drugs, on your 2 days off. 
sleep. You'll need it after 5 solid days of drinking.
....depends on the drugs! 
Thank you for your reply Cnoevil!
What about those DIY Rega Couple clones? Should they be a good bet?
BTW, if I drink £100 of beer, I'd probably just spend those 5 days in the loo, so wouldn't have much time to fully apreciate my hifi, would I?
Thank you for your reply Cnoevil!
What about those DIY Rega Couple clones? Should they be a good bet?
Not a clue I'm afraid, but I usually stay clear of that sort of thing.
I meant to say in my last post, that I also like Audioquest cables, and would put them up with Atlas, though Atlas is smaller, and you can pick up the phone and speak to John Carrick himself (knows his stuff).
Due to the subjective nature of assessing the difference cables can make, you are likely to get a variety of answers, from either end of the spectrum. I will be as objective as possible, given I'm a believer.
In general, I would say:
- Never spend more on cables, than would give you a bigger improvement by spending it elsewhere (no more than 10-12%).
- Avoid silver coated cables.
- Always borrow a selection to compare on your own system, or buy some on a try and return basis.
- IMO A cheap Mains Cable eg. Clearer Audio Copperline Alpha (which can be returned) can give a worthwhile benefit.
For your system, I would recommend some Linn Black I/Cs off ebay, which can usually be be got for £15-£20.
I prefer Atlas to Chord (a little bright) or Van den Hul (a little dull)...but this is personal, as there are a lot of Chord users on here, as well as people happy with VDH.
I'm a big fan of Telurium Q. Their "Blue" S/C is great VFM for the performance it gives, but only you can judge if it's worth it. Their I/C is probably too expensive to justify in your system.
QED 79 is a good basic cable, so would be of less priority than replacing the cheap I/C
So my advice at this stage, would be to get a Copperline Alpha mains cable (on sale atm) and some Linn Blacks. Leave the S/C until you have tried the above....then if you wish, demo some Telurium Q.
"Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again." André Gide