Does quality matter with XLR cables?

[Jason948]

Hi guys and girls, I have recently acquired an Eversolo amp-6 dac/streamer and am wondering if it matters what type of xlr cables I should use in connecting it to my amp. I heard somewhere that the xlr cables aren’t important like the amp to speaker cables so just wondering.  My amp is Electrocampaniat and speakers are focal aria. Many thanks in advance.

 

 

[Upgrayed]

I found XLR cables do make a significant difference.

Contact Geoff @AurealisAudio

I bought his budget cable to connect my mono blocks.

Found thats all I need.

[muon*]

Quality does matter.

[Paul56]

Check out Bluejeans cables in the USA . Good quality at a reasonable price . 

[tripitaka]

Buy standard Pro Audio cables and put the savings towards your next component upgrade.

 

Best Trip

[Jason948]

Any reason why?

[tripitaka]

7 minutes ago, Jason948 said:

Any reason why?

Are you asking me?

Assuming you are, it's because I love music, love hifi and love seeing people get bang for their buck. Sometimes it feels like trying to save people money is a forbidden thing on hifi forums but cables move a signal from one place to another and Pro Audio guys know what they are doing in that regard. 

Trip

 

[andyr]

3 hours ago, Jason948 said:

Hi guys and girls, I have recently acquired an Eversolo amp-6 dac/streamer and am wondering if it matters what type of xlr cables I should use in connecting it to my amp. I heard somewhere that the xlr cables aren’t important like the amp to speaker cables so just wondering.

 

I would say ... XLR cables are no different to any other signal cable - so, yes ... different cables will make your sound different.  Some cables ... sound better than others.

 

I certainly take a different view to trip, here:

 

2 minutes ago, tripitaka said:

and Pro Audio guys know what they are doing in that regard. 

 

But Pro environments need to allow for repeated setup and pulldown, Brett - unlike domestic hifi setups.

 

So they always use stranded cable - which is much more flexible than solid-core cable.  (Which sounds better.   )

 

[Kaynin]

1 hour ago, muon* said:

Quality does matter.

 

I keep telling her that.

[Kaynin]

1 minute ago, andyr said:

But Pro environments need to allow for repeated setup and pulldown

 

 

And interference over long runs.

[andyr]

Just now, Kaynin said:

And interference over long runs.

 

Absoloootely!

 

[tripitaka]

@Jason948will have to discover his own truth, as all of us strive to do

 

[gemini07]

For what it's worth, I have found more noticeable differences between interconnects (both RCA and XLR) when connecting directly from a streamer / dac to a power amp, ie, not having a preamp in the system. I believe you are more likely to notice a difference between interconnects when set up more directly.

 

Which particular XLRs you prefer is entirely up to you, your tastes, ancillary gear, music etc. However, I would not assume that buying more expensive cables (ICs as well as speaker cables) will automatically give you the sound you're after. 'Quality' - subjective as it is - is not always directly proportionate to cost, as you many of us have discovered the hard way...

[joz]

https://factorysound.com/products/xlr1/

 

An excellent cable, once you've used them you may not want for more, well unless you want some bling!

[SonicArt]

20 hours ago, Jason948 said:

 I heard somewhere that the xlr cables aren’t important like the amp to speaker cables so just wondering.

If you think about the chain logically, your speaker cables are not going to put back anything lost through the interconnects right?

Your interconnects are more important in some regards, you want a cable that has little sonic signature of its own and a wide bandwidth, that means as little degradation of the signal as possible.

I have an Electro amp and it definitely likes being run with balanced inputs, I run my own Silver Line and Silver Reference cables right through my system, its a very balanced smooth sound, a lot of detail but not harsh, musical & transparent.

 

The current Silver Line Mk2 are quite amazing performers, can be optioned with Furutech XLR plugs for those wanting the best possible connection, the plugs do add a lot of cost however. Standard connectors are silver plated Neutrik XLR.

https://www.sonicartaudio.com/estore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=41_1_7

[tripitaka]

18 hours ago, SonicArt said:

If you think about the chain logically, your speaker cables are not going to put back anything lost through the interconnects right?

Your interconnects are more important in some regards, you want a cable that has little sonic signature of its own and a wide bandwidth, that means as little degradation of the signal as possible.

I have an Electro amp and it definitely likes being run with balanced inputs, I run my own Silver Line and Silver Reference cables right through my system, its a very balanced smooth sound, a lot of detail but not harsh, musical & transparent.

 

The current Silver Line Mk2 are quite amazing performers, can be optioned with Furutech XLR plugs for those wanting the best possible connection, the plugs do add a lot of cost however. Standard connectors are silver plated Neutrik XLR.

https://www.sonicartaudio.com/estore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=41_1_7

 

Was there an intended implication in your opening sentence that some of us are are not viewing our audio chain in a logical manner?

 

In any case, a declaration of interest might have been appropriate when promoting your own product? 

 

For me, I am just a punter, finding his own way through the quagmire of conflicting hifi advice. I have changed my mind on aspects of hifi lore in the past, and no doubt will again, but I try to make an honest effort to be logical in my approach.

[SonicArt]

24 minutes ago, tripitaka said:

 

Was there an intended implication in your opening sentence that some of us are are not viewing our audio chain in a logical manner?

Nope not at all, you stated you had heard the XLR cables were not important, I simply suggested that looking at the chain logically, (rather than from what others might say) you might get a different picture of the importance of certain sections of the chain.

 

As for promoting, I am a commercial sponsor of this site, I do have an Electrocompaniet pre & power amp amongst my collection, and use it regularly, I simply made a suggestion for a high quality cable that is very affordable and works well with the amp brand.

[075Congo]

I have used Interconnects and Speaker cabling produced by Mark at Sonic Art in Melbourne. Very high quality products and very reasonable pricewise....if you wish to determine the sonic merits of  XLR cabling choosing Sonic Art cabling will give you the answer you are seeking.......his Sonic Art Silver Line MK2 XLR's are priced at $180 for a .75m pair.......that is exceptional value in the range of XLR offerings. Commercial Sponsorship on Stereonet is a considerable investment for the Sonic Art company and his comments and contributions are highly valued by those who know Mark and his products.

[Ars Paart]

For very short (ie. <5m) analogue XLR interconnects in a home environment, my list in descending order of importance:

 

1. Decent connectors. They need to be tight but not so tight that you need to force them in.  Once connected they shouldn't move in the socket.

2. Wired correctly for your equipment.

3. Flexible cable. It should hang reasonably loosely from the connector, not stick out horizontally. Stiff XLR cables are a nightmare in a confined space.

4. It should feel nice, not sticky or slimy. Cheap and nasty plastic sheathes can deteriorate over time so avoid.

5. Good shielding. 

 

Everything else is relatively unimportant, variations in eg. capacitance over such short cable lengths are unlikely to change the frequency response in anything approaching audible range. Low voltage low frequency over very short distances here.

 

[Demondes]

On 7/11/2023 at 7:21 AM, joz said:

https://factorysound.com/products/xlr1/

 

An excellent cable, once you've used them you may not want for more, well unless you want some bling!

I use these XLR cables and find them excellent.

 

 I would start with these as an affordable option and then try an A-B with some borrowed more expensive XLR to see if they make a difference.   

[metal beat]

Imo, start off with some good studio cables.

  Mogami 2549 XLR is extremely good with nice high frequency extension, excellent bass.

  Slightly relaxed top end say compared to lot more expensive Nordost Tyr.

 

  After that, add flavour to suit your system.

[075Congo]

Just thinking of the $$$ you have already invested in the Electrocompaniet amp (integrated ?) and the Focal Aria loudspeakers. Your choice of cabling (XLR plus loudspeaker cables) will be critical to your system performance. I'm guessing that $7K to $9K has been invested so far ? Would I spend less than $100 on XLR cables and go low on the cost of speaker cables ?? Would you?

[tripitaka]

12 minutes ago, 075Congo said:

Just thinking of the $$$ you have already invested in the Electrocompaniet amp (integrated ?) and the Focal Aria loudspeakers. Your choice of cabling (XLR plus loudspeaker cables) will be critical to your system performance. I'm guessing that $7K to $9K has been invested so far ? Would I spend less than $100 on XLR cables and go low on the cost of speaker cables ?? Would you?

 

I see no logic in this post.

[rantan]

3 minutes ago, tripitaka said:

I see no logic in this post.

 

Because,  (as is your right), you don't see ( hear ) the benefit of superior cables. His point is that spending around $8K on a system makes it worthy of decent cables that won't limit the capabilities of the gear.

[tripitaka]

2 minutes ago, rantan said:

 

Because,  (as is your right), you don't see ( hear ) the benefit of superior cables. His point is that spending around $8K on a system makes it worthy of decent cables that won't limit the capabilities of the gear.

 

Unsubstantiated premises used to draw a conclusion = logical fallacy. 

 

An emotional appeal to 'proportionality' has nothing to do with logic. The conclusion might even be correct, but it wasn't based on logic, which was my point.