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Downgrading my speaker cables

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Dommer
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I've been using a pair of QED Genesis silver spiral Bi-wire cables for a few years with my system and I love the full sound they produce. However last year I've moved into a new flat and I just don't have the space to run 6 meters of thick bi-wire cable. Not to mention that since upgrading to the UnitiQute I no longer need the Bi-wire option. so I've put the QED cables on to a popular trading site (tree something) and am looking for new cables that would sound equally good but that would be more manageable to fit behind bookshelves. Any recommendations would be appreciated.  I'm running the Naim unitiQute with a pair of Kef R100s. Budget is about £200.

Thanks.

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chebby
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

Linn K20 about £5 a metre.

QED 79 strand £1.80 per metre. (Or thereabouts.)

Any other straight-forward, flexible, 'dumbell/figure-of-eight' type cable with good quality copper of reasonable gauge and no 'quirky' electrical properties.

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Superaintit
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

Hi Dommer,

IMO a Vandamme lc-ofc speaker cable is good value for money. Its aimed at the professional market and therefore more affordable. Will cost you about 5 pounds per metre.

the record spot
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

I ditched bi-wired Audioquest Type IV speaker cable (now around £13/m) for 322-strand cable, 10m of which came from Ebay for £5.50 delivered.  If anything, it was very slightly better than the AQ it replaced.  I now use 400-odd strand OFC cable.  Thoroughly recommend you explore this option (or the ones listed already) before splashing the cash when you might find you don't need to.  For the cost of a couple of drinks, it has to be worth trying out.

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tyranniux42
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

Linn k20 is a good shout, if you want to spend a bit more try naim naca5. Both will work great with the qute

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CJSF
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

Linn K20, been using it since the 80's, tried others up to 10 times more expensive to no good effect.

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Singslinger
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

I've had good results with Ringmat cable. They make only one model and it's not expensive (sorry I don't know the UK price).

Exoticsounds
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

You could give Audioquest FLX-SLiP 14/4 a try.

MUSICRAFT
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

Hi Dommer

I feel that you should also consider using basic 79 multistrand OFC or at a push 500 multistrand OFC speaker cables.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

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Coll
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

I agree QED 79 strand or QED Original or similar would work very well, I dont subscribe to spnding a fortune on exotic cables.

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CJSF
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

Coll wrote:
I agree QED 79 strand or QED Original or similar would work very well, I dont subscribe to spnding a fortune on exotic cables.

 

I did do an A-B comparison Linn K20 v QED 79 strand, it was 30 years ago, I seem to remember the 'differeances; were marginal in favour of K20.  In those days it was just 1m runs from valve mono blocks.  These days, its an 8m run  banging head against wall  

I have tried cables recently, out of curiosity because of the 8m run.  The differances were purely personal, still prefering the K20.  Because 'OFC 500 strand' is cheap I bought 2x 8m runs, my preferance means this lies rejected in a box in the shed.  I borrowed Black and Blue versions of Q cable from my local dealer, Blue did not work for me at all, Black was good but not good enough to justify £800!!  Personal preferance again . . . and a prod or three from my Hazel read this !!!!!  She has a good pair of ears . . . as I am finding out . . . I'm enjoying sharing my pasion for music and hifi with here cheer

Get into cables and you will tie yourself into knots with no real satisfying result . . . thats IMHO

CJSF

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CnoEvil
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

CJSF wrote:

Coll wrote:
I agree QED 79 strand or QED Original or similar would work very well, I dont subscribe to spnding a fortune on exotic cables.

 

I did do an A-B comparison Linn K20 v QED 79 strand, it was 30 years ago, I seem to remember the 'differeances; were marginal in favour of K20.  In those days it was just 1m runs from valve mono blocks.  These days, its an 8m run  banging head against wall  

I have tried cables recently, out of curiosity because of the 8m run.  The differances were purely personal, still prefering the K20.  Because 'OFC 500 strand' is cheap I bought 2x 8m runs, my preferance means this lies rejected in a box in the shed.  I borrowed Black and Blue versions of Q cable from my local dealer, Blue did not work for me at all, Black was good but not good enough to justify £800!!  Personal preferance again . . . and a prod or three from my Hazel read this !!!!!  She has a good pair of ears . . . as I am finding out . . . I'm enjoying sharing my pasion for music and hifi with here cheer

Get into cables and you will tie yourself into knots with no real satisfying result . . . thats IMHO

CJSF

If that's your rather convoluted way of saying...get the Linn K20, then I agree with you.  Wink

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Dommer
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

Thank you everyone for the great recommendations. I will definately have a look into all the cables mentioned.  

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CJSF
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

CnoEvil wrote:

CJSF wrote:

Coll wrote:
I agree QED 79 strand or QED Original or similar would work very well, I dont subscribe to spnding a fortune on exotic cables.

 

I did do an A-B comparison Linn K20 v QED 79 strand, it was 30 years ago, I seem to remember the 'differeances; were marginal in favour of K20.  In those days it was just 1m runs from valve mono blocks.  These days, its an 8m run  banging head against wall  

I have tried cables recently, out of curiosity because of the 8m run.  The differances were purely personal, still prefering the K20.  Because 'OFC 500 strand' is cheap I bought 2x 8m runs, my preferance means this lies rejected in a box in the shed.  I borrowed Black and Blue versions of Q cable from my local dealer, Blue did not work for me at all, Black was good but not good enough to justify £800!!  Personal preferance again . . . and a prod or three from my Hazel read this !!!!!  She has a good pair of ears . . . as I am finding out . . . I'm enjoying sharing my pasion for music and hifi with here cheer

Get into cables and you will tie yourself into knots with no real satisfying result . . . thats IMHO

CJSF

If that's your rather convoluted way of saying...get the Linn K20, then I agree with you.  Wink

Yep Cno, you know me, 'never use one sentance when a dozen will do' . . . cool   The last sentance is the cruncher, ' . . . tie yourself in knots . . . '.

CJSF beauty, eh

 

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CJSF
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RE: Downgrading my speaker cables

Deleted double post . . . ?????? CJSF

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