Advice for Speaker Cable Replacement

[TaoK]

I currently have two short lengths of Esoteric Audio USA speaker cable. Also printed on the cable is 'Ultra Cable reference system - high speed response type - high definition reference classification.'

Apparently it's 12 gauge AWG.

This cable connects DCM Time Window speakers to a Luxman M-02. The cable for each speaker is only about a metre long because it connects to a socket installed in the wall. The rest of the cable that runs from the socket to the Luxman M-02 isn't accessible.
I might be moving house so I'll need some longer lengths of cable and am not sure what's comparable, or superior to what I have. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Open to any budget.

For reference, here is a link to the same type of cable that I have:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/155352449754

[075Congo]

Since you are moving house the length of speaker cables required is unknown. I have been using Kimber Kable from the USA for some time and it is an excellent product. My favourite is the 8TC model so I'd be looking at Kimber Kable as an option. Check out the online information.

[Silver Audiophile]

Some of the speaker cables I have owned and the sound quality:

 

Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista speaker cables: 1/10

Kimber 8TC : 2/10

Kimber 12TC: 3/10

Mike Lenehan Foilflex: 5/10

Via Blue SC-6: 7/10

Harmonic tech Pro 9+: 9/10

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2024 by Silver Audiophile

[Joe13]

Some speaker cable that won't break the bank is Micca Pure Copper speaker cable terminated with banana plugs. It's on Amazon.com.au in 2 metre/$62 and 4 metre lengths/$87 free freight.

Have attached a couple of YT reviews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mxQ2BIjsws

 

 

 

[Silver Audiophile]

1 minute ago, Joe13 said:

Some speaker cable that won't break the bank is Micca Pure Copper speaker cable terminated with banana plugs. It's on Amazon.com.au in 2 metre/$62 and 4 metre lengths/$87 free freight.

Have attached a couple of YT reviews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mxQ2BIjsws

 

One doesn't have to compromise and go ultra Amazon budget cheap.

For example, I picked up my Harmonic tech Pro 9+ pair used for $500.

 

 

 

[Joe13]

Hop of your horse Silver, i'm not trying to upstage you just giving him another option which is more in line with his previous cables price bracket..

[Silver Audiophile]

9 minutes ago, Joe13 said:

Hop of your horse Silver, i'm not trying to upstage you just giving him another option which is more in line with his previous cables price bracket..

All good. OP stated 'open to any budget'. 

 

 

 

[POV]

12 hours ago, TaoK said:

I currently have two short lengths of Esoteric Audio USA speaker cable. Also printed on the cable is 'Ultra Cable reference system - high speed response type - high definition reference classification.'

Apparently it's 12 gauge AWG.

This cable connects DCM Time Window speakers to a Luxman M-02. The cable for each speaker is only about a metre long because it connects to a socket installed in the wall. The rest of the cable that runs from the socket to the Luxman M-02 isn't accessible.
I might be moving house so I'll need some longer lengths of cable and am not sure what's comparable, or superior to what I have. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Open to any budget.

For reference, here is a link to the same type of cable that I have:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/155352449754

 

Need to wait till you know what length you are after, which will then establish if you can purchase a standard length factory terminated pair or if you need a custom made length.

 

I personally use and recommend QED speaker cables.  QED are a science based cable manufacturer and they provide options at essentially all budget levels without going to the extent of creating hi-fi jewellery.  Kimber as recommended above is also an excellent choice, extremely well designed and manufactured cables that measure superbly well. 

 

I would go with the best QED you are comfortable paying for.  Plenty of suppliers in Aus, I tend to shop at A2A mainly these days.

 

https://www.qed.co.uk/cables/speaker-cables.html

 

11 hours ago, Silver Audiophile said:

Kimber 8TC : 2/10

Kimber 12TC: 3/10

 

@TaoK - just ignore this.

 

10 hours ago, Joe13 said:

Hop of your horse Silver

 

Indeed.  

Edited March 11, 2024 by POV

[Silver Audiophile]

There a running joke in the audio circles.. Some call them Kimber kables. They're also known as 'Kim-blurs'. Due to their blurring of detail in the recordings.

 

I had the unfortunate experience early in my audio journey of buying these poorly design cables with very high inductance, after buying even worse MF speaker cables prior. They were sourced from John (lovely guy from N/Sydney), and the Aussie brand importer. I had my new Duntech Senators even internally wired with Kim-blurs 12TC and 8TCs (against the better advise of my speakers manufacture, perplexed with my choice agaisnt all other better options) . After some further expenses, I had them replaced with Cables FM wire. Not suprisingly there was a profound improvement to the speakers performance.

 

BTW, if anyone here is not convinced on the Kim-blurs stella under performance for their given price, I do still have several meters of 8TC and 12TC Kim-blurs for sale. Just contact me and more than be happy to off loaded to you at a huge discount to their per meter length.

 

Disclaimer: I am not an audio journal or HiFi magazine. As such I am in no way influence by brand advertising  revenue in my audio hifi opinion.

 

Edited March 11, 2024 by Silver Audiophile

[Joe13]

Agree with the QED cables choice. I have a set of Signature Genesis Silver Spirals which are my most used pair, they do have a bit of bling to them as well. 

[POV]

52 minutes ago, Silver Audiophile said:

I had the unfortunate experience early in my audio journey of buying these poorly design cables with very high inductance, after buying even worse MF speaker cables prior. They were sourced from John (lovely guy from N/Sydney), and the Aussie brand importer. I had my new Duntech Senators even internally wired with Kim-blurs 12TC and 8TCs (against the better advise of my speakers manufacture, perplexed with my choice agaisnt all other better options)

 

I think perhaps you are confused.  Kimber 8TC and 12TC (as a topical examples) are extremely low inductance cables that actually measures even lower inductance than Kimber publish.  What they do have is a moderately higher capacitance than many competitors cables (which is essentially a factor of it's very low inductance). Kimber 8tc and 12tc are superbly designed cables (as are all Kimber cables) by any measure you care to apply. 

 

Calling them poorly designed, and then describing them as very high inductance makes no sense, and does not align to the objective measured performance.  There may be a few situations where they would be a problematic with very bespoke (and dare I say poorly designed) amplifiers that are very sensitive to capacitive loading but would think this is extremely unlikely to be a factor for vast majority of users.

 

 

Edited March 11, 2024 by POV

[Silver Audiophile]

42 minutes ago, POV said:

 

I think perhaps you are confused.  Kimber 8TC and 12TC (as a topical examples) are extremely low inductance cables that actually measures even lower inductance than Kimber publish.  What they do have is a moderately higher capacitance than many competitors cables (which is essentially a factor of it's very low inductance). Kimber 8tc and 12tc are superbly designed cables (as are all Kimber cables) by any measure you care to apply. 

Calling them poorly designed, and then describing them as very high inductance makes no sense, and does not align to the objective measured performance.  There may be a few situations where they would be a problematic with very bespoke (and dare I say poorly designed) amplifiers that are very sensitive to capacitive loading but would think this is extremely unlikely to be a factor for vast majority of users.

No probs. I still have my Kim-blurs for sale. Discounts apply. I'll await your PM.

 

 

[POV]

6 minutes ago, Silver Audiophile said:

No probs. I still have my Kim-blurs for sale. Discounts apply. I'll await your PM.

 

 

 

Maybe you should sell the Duntechs and keep the Kimbers 

[Silver Audiophile]

7 minutes ago, POV said:

Maybe you should sell the Duntechs and keep the Kimbers 

 

J$#@S.. no taker on the remaining Kimbo cables! I had the SNA ad up for ages for the 12TC, 8TC, and even some 4TCs. Took forever to move on, and at 75% discount to direct from importer JD Audio prices.

Many years back, my mate rocked up with his DIY Furutech speaker cables. The cheapest per meter OCC Furutech he went with. I think it was $50/m at the time (Furutech Alpha S-14).

We did the A/B in my system (12TC Vs Alpha S-14).. our faces!

 

 

 

[TaoK]

On 11/03/2024 at 7:14 PM, 075Congo said:

Since you are moving house the length of speaker cables required is unknown. I have been using Kimber Kable from the USA for some time and it is an excellent product. My favourite is the 8TC model so I'd be looking at Kimber Kable as an option. Check out the online information.

@075CongoThanks for that! Checking out Kimber Kable now.
I have a stupid question and can probably correctly assume the answer, haha, but is it bi-wire that I need? Is that what's in this link (which is the same as the cable I currently have)?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/155352449754

[TaoK]

On 11/03/2024 at 9:03 PM, Silver Audiophile said:

All good. OP stated 'open to any budget'. 

 

 

 

Would definitely like to upgrade from what I have but keen to consider all options. Where did you get your Harmonic tech Pro 9+ pair so cheaply? Was that through here?

[075Congo]

Kimber Kable can be purchased in both "bi-wire" as well as standard connection. That applies to all their speaker cable range.

[TaoK]

@POVThis is great info, thanks. I think I'd need 2 x 2.5m cables for starters. I'm clueless when it comes to cables, so this will be a silly question but is there a point at which cable is too long, therefore causing loss of sound quality?

[TaoK]

12 hours ago, Joe13 said:

Agree with the QED cables choice. I have a set of Signature Genesis Silver Spirals which are my most used pair, they do have a bit of bling to them as well. 

I looked them up, very nice. If my current cable wire gauge is 12 AWG, do I need to stick with that or does it matter?

[075Congo]

You could contact JD Online in Sydney for further info on that issue. Mobile number is 0412 194 446.

The difference in cost for a 2.5m pair of 8TC speaker cables......biwire version re a standard 2 channel connection is approx $60.

Edited March 12, 2024 by 075Congo

[Joe13]

All the cables you have been looking at have been terminated with banana plugs, spades or both which connect to your amp.The gauge (awg) doesn't really matter that much, the main thing is do they sound good and work with your system. Cable selection i've found is a lot of trial and error. StereoNet classifieds gives a bigger bang for your buck with access to a myriad of Brands and price points on a safe platform generally 30% - 50% off retail. Plus you don't take a big hit when reselling compared new purchases. Research is fairly crucial buying online. 

[TaoK]

@Joe13Excellent advice, thank you!

[Silver Audiophile]

1 hour ago, TaoK said:

Would definitely like to upgrade from what I have but keen to consider all options. Where did you get your Harmonic tech Pro 9+ pair so cheaply? Was that through here?

Yes, I bought it through another SNA'er.

The HT Pro 9+ is pure Ohno Continuous Cast (OCC) copper. 

Big step up from Via Blue SC-6, which in turn was a big step up from Furutech Alpha S14.

S14 was leaps ahead of KK 12TC.

I had the chance to pitch the Pro 9+ against the top Cables FM speaker cable (which retails $8k new)- spoiler alert, Pro 9 is superior in every way. 

Best bet is search on HiFi Shark (Global search site for specific HiFi components). 

HT is manufactured in California. Australia and US has some available used cables. 

New, the HT are rather pricey. Best to buy used. 

 

 

 

 

[muon*]

Cable gauge does matter, it needs to be appropriate for the amount of current being past to them from the amplifier.

[TaoK]

9 hours ago, muon* said:

Cable gauge does matter, it needs to be appropriate for the amount of current being past to them from the amplifier.

I should stick with 12 AWG then. The cable I currently have is bare wire on the amp ends and banana plugs on the speaker end. Should I stick with bare wire on the ends that connect to the amp or is spade okay too?