help me choose!

[coolcobramatt]

2.5 M pair of Cardas quadlink 5c biwires for $250 or 3 M pair of Nordost Solar Wind biwires for $150? I am about to pull the trigger and want some professional opinions first. Maybe some Kimber Heros or Silver Streaks for rcas as well.

System is Aeon i's with a Musical Fidelity A300.

 

[paulo m]

2.5 M pair of Cardas quadlink 5c biwires for $250 or 3 M pair of Nordost Solar Wind biwires for $150? I am about to pull the trigger and want some professional opinions first. Maybe some Kimber Heros or Silver Streaks.

System is Aeon i's with a Musical Fidelity A300.

Can you audition the cables at home? If not at home, can you do it at a dealer? Ultimately you should let your ears be the judge and not follow any advice--it may match your sensibilities, but it also may not...

I have never used this service, but will seriously consider the next time I am shopping for cables - http://www.fatwyre.com (I have no interest or affiliation with them, bla bla bla).

Good luck!

 

[coolcobramatt]

no these are on Agon, no choice but to trust people's past experience. Hoping you all might have some educated opinions for a newbie audiophile!

 

[Pcar928fan]

Somebody here on the list is using some Solar Winds...they got them just recently. I think they were very happy with them, but I can't remember who it is for the life of me!

 

[coolcobramatt]

Found a new in the box set of MIT AVT2's single wire, I figured they werent in the same league as the others though, but Ive been known to be wrong alot lol.

 

[tonyc]

Matt, the Cardas is a warmer, more upfront while the Nordost is cooler and more distant in perspective. There is enough difference that you will have a preference. Unfortunately, my preferences between the two brands is even song dependent!

 

[coolcobramatt]

thanks Tony. The Cardas' are sold already so that leaves me the MIT AVT2's or the Nordost Solar Winds only. Can't believe no one else has a thought to add.

I can't audition any cables as very few people around here have high end systems except for a few doctors who give the local B&W dealer all their cash. And he wires them with standard Monster (he values the dollar profit over everything else).

 

[DTB300]

thanks Tony. The Cardas' are sold already so that leaves me the MIT AVT2's or the Nordost Solar Winds only. Can't believe no one else has a thought to add.

Like others have stated, cables are very system dependant, user preference dependant, and cost consideration driven.

There is no single cable that can be recommended to you. What I may like, others may hate, and so on and so on and so on.....If you are looking for me to add to your list, I like JPS Labs IC's and Speaker cables.

Since you are located in the States, someone else mentioned a great service that you can use from a company called "The Cable Company" www.fatwyre.com You can call them up, let them know what you are looking for in the way of budget, they will then suggest a few companies to try out. You pay some amount to them for auditioning, then send you some cables, and you find the cable that YOU like for YOUR system for YOUR budget.

This is the BEST way to find the right cable(s) for your setup.

Dan

 

[tonyc]

Matt, I gotta ask about your Cobra. Mine is an 03 Terminator and is so far only mildly modded.

 

[Craig]

The Cardas' are sold already so that leaves me the MIT AVT2's or the Nordost Solar Winds only.

Here's my strategy for shopping on Audiogon. They have a large selection of cables with members constantly adding to the lists but the good deals don't last long. The key to successful shopping on Audiogon is to be patient and wait for the particular deal to show up. When it does act fast and if it's already at a good price don't try and low-ball the offer. If you miss a deal, no problem. Just wait long enough and another one will show up and could be even better.

As far as what cable is good/bad is very subjective and opinions vary. I can give you my opinion on some cables I've used but everyone has thier own and there are many cables I haven't tried. If it were me I would wait for another Cardas deal. My personal preference is Audience and Hamonic Tech cables

 

[MickeyVee]

I have the Solar Winds and used them for just over a year. Coming from bottom of the line Transparent, They were amazing. They seem to be somewhat clinical in nature. What you put into them, you get out.
I recently tried the AntiCables and have subsequently retired the Solar winds.
It really does depend on the system and electronics. If you have a warmer amp, they'll shine. If your amp exhibits any kind of brightness, I'd probably stay away from them.
I'm keeping my Solar Winds until I change my amp and then will re-assess.
Best of luck!

 

[coolcobramatt]

Matt, I gotta ask about your Cobra. Mine is an 03 Terminator and is so far only mildly modded.

Tony, I sold the Cobra 2 months ago but I still have a stang (03 GT vert in sonic blue). That payment was getting to me and I wanted to spend my cash elsewhere (therefore my appearance on this site lol). The Cobra had about 515 RWHP due to a Steigemiere stage 4 port job on the blower, a 2.76 pulley, SLP and MAC prochamber exhaust, and a Predator tuner. It would honestly get sideways in 3rd gear at 75 mph. Driving the 260hp GT feels sedate compared to that. PM me with any questions!

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[coolcobramatt]

I grabbed some Nordost Blue Heaven RCA's for the interconnect. Guess I am going to go with the solar winds to keep everything in the same family.