I was wondering if some of you clever SNA'ers out there have a good framework for thinking about interconnects (RCA, 1 or 1.5m specifically).
What I am trying to do is consider how to best go about choosing a new interconnect. There are hundreds or even thousands available - a bewildering array to try to decide how to short list some to try. But if I can categorise them, I might be able to work out how much to spend and what options are within my price bracket. I am mostly driven by value for money, not a specific price point. So if something is really expensive, I might buy it if I can justify that I am really getting a good SQ improvement. More likely, if I get a $200 interconnect that betters most of the $1000 interconnects out there, then I'll probably jump at the chance. This is what I think so far:
- The material inside the lead - eg copper, silver, unobtanium
- The connectors - eg silver, gold, melted down teeth
- Anything else to take into account?
I would guess that if you get the framework right you can start comparing the different options within these levels. Can you can get a bargain cable (eg copper) to outperform a fancy, expensive cable because the manufacturer sprinkles better fairy dust on their copper cable than a competitor does on their solid platinum cables which were made from Marilyn Monroe's leftover earrings?
You can see my system in my footer. Having somewhat successfully worked out how to run the Linn Axis/phono stage through to the DAC via the Tascam ADC and a few Mogami XLRs, I now only need 1 interconnect from DAC to power amps (since the DAC has a volume control, no pre-amp required any more). Since I only need one, I should try and make it a better one than the motley crew of interconnects I currently have (various audioquest cheapies and a couple of others that have been acquired along the way but are difficult to pin down in terms of brand).
BTW - recommendations also welcome as well as your frameworks...so long as we can all be friends afterwards...
Thanks
Torben
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