HiFi Cafe
Singapore HiFi Stereo Equipment discussion forum => HiFi Audio Equipment Discussion => Topic started by: watchdog on August 28, 2016, 04:50:26 PM
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Here is a list of places to visit or parts to try for the financially challenged.
1. LHS Electronics Enterprise - #02-27 Sim Lim Tower
2. Del Audio - #02-32 Sim Lim Tower
3. Koba Electronics - #03-06 People's Park Centre
4. Daiso - All over the island
5. Ikea - Alexandra and Tampines
LHS is probably your best stop to start for affordable speaker cables, or wires of any sort. They also stock decent but affordable connectors like Canare, Neutrik, Marinco, MK etc.
Power Cords - Belden 19364 or 83803
Power Distributors - UK Permaplug
Speaker cables - Canare Starquad or Belden 5000 series
Interconnects - Canare Starquad or Belden 89259
Digital interconnects - Canare LV-77S, Canare L-5CFB, Belden 1694A
Del Audio stocks Mogami Neglex.
Interconnects - Mogami Neglex 2534
Koba has a dizzying array of parts (if you can find them in the very tight maze of shelves - ask them for help).
Power Distributor - Various DIY casings from China (US outlets). You can go with the supplied outlets (not the last word in quality), or replace them with Hubbell outlets of your choice.
Daiso's most popular "audiophile" tweak is their gel damping pad. This is actually intended for absorption of vibrations during earthquakes. They work quite well in damping vibrations from your speakers or audio components. The effect on sound though is a matter of taste. They also sell thin cork sheets that are useful for damping components.
Ikea is not just for buying furniture. There are lots of ideas floating on the net, like the Lack rack project, or the various chopping blocks that can be used as equipment platforms. Projects are limited only by your imagination.
Feel free to add on to this list.
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I've tried the below with decent results. Definitely worth considering for those on a tight budget.
Interconnects:
Belden 8402
Mogami neglex 2497
Speaker cable:
Western electric WE16GA
Coaxial:
Belden 1694A w Canare rca
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Darknight, +1 on the Mogami Neglex 2497. This makes a very good RCA interconnect. Compared to the infamous Neglex 2803, the 2497 is a lot cheaper, easier to work with and more robust.
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After many years of being a no compromise high ender I learnt my lesson ;) most of these hyped super cables are just Marketing products.
Lately tested a relatively cheap eBay Interconnect (German brand) against the 2KS$ IC of a friend (same setup, A/B switching via remote control) ... And it was 99.9% the same. I paid less than 200 ...
Hot tip for the daring - make your own cable. In Tuas is Lapp Cable (the oldest cable brand in the world, German) and many high end brands buy their cables from them and just optically change them with cloth, an impressive power plug or whatever. Lapp sells also small quantities by the meter (you have to go there though and wait a bit) and already a simple Lapp Oelflex cable is a good Power Cord. They have Higher End Models for Robot Control in Manufacturing, that shall be fantastic ... and btw a good Power Cable is also a good Speaker Cable, not interconnect though.
On request is can find out more for you, as most info on Lapp is in German.
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Yep. German cords and Japanese cords are bang for the buck. I have had very good results with Inakustik and SAEC.
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Great sharing all!!.
Currently looking to upgrade spk cable from the current Furutech pcocc for dynaudio contours. Any suggestions? Most suggesting Nordost etc, which is beyond my budget...looking to spend within $200-300 max,
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with $300 budget, you can try out a used pair of Nordost blue heaven which is within this price range. But Nordost cable tends to raise the mid and high but weaker bass ,may not match to all system. which brand of pre and power amp that you use to drive the dynaudio contours?
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Densen DM30
You're spot on bro...Nordost is a common recommendation for Dynaudios. :)
Also wanted to know if there're any VFM brands that i should try.
For EG. SAEC seems quite good from Eric's review. X-audio sells them in 3 sizes. This was on my radar.
http://singaporehifi.blogspot.sg/2015/12/speaker-cables-from-japan-comparitive.html
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Mix blue heaven with red dawn
Blue heaven for high mid
Red dawn for low
with $300 budget, you can try out a used pair of Nordost blue heaven which is within this price range. But Nordost cable tends to raise the mid and high but weaker bass ,may not match to all system. which brand of pre and power amp that you use to drive the dynaudio contours?
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Mix blue heaven with red dawn
Blue heaven for high mid
Red dawn for low
with $300 budget, you can try out a used pair of Nordost blue heaven which is within this price range. But Nordost cable tends to raise the mid and high but weaker bass ,may not match to all system. which brand of pre and power amp that you use to drive the dynaudio contours?
Interesting...thanks bro for sharing. won't work for dyns though...no biwiring.
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Power cords Interconnects can be mixed as well
:)
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wouldn't the law of weakest link in the chain apply, in that case? End up with worst characteristics of both rather than best of both?
Power cords Interconnects can be mixed as well
:)
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Red dawn strength is blue heaven weakness
Blue heaven strength is red dawn weakness
You can see them as tools to balance ur sys sound
:)
If you are looking for better bandwidth/extension at both end, you can go up the ladder
wouldn't the law of weakest link in the chain apply, in that case? End up with worst characteristics of both rather than best of both?
Power cords Interconnects can be mixed as well
:)
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Red dawn strength is blue heaven weakness
Blue heaven strength is red dawn weakness
You can see them as tools to balance ur sys sound
:)
On a lighter note, reminds me of a quote from GB Shaw.
Miss Duncan:
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It may be, esp after u factor in the number of equipments, room acoustic and listener preference.
Its more abt the implementation than paper talk
Red dawn strength is blue heaven weakness
Blue heaven strength is red dawn weakness
You can see them as tools to balance ur sys sound
:)
On a lighter note, reminds me of a quote from GB Shaw.
Miss Duncan:
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It may be, esp after u factor in the number of equipments, room acoustic and listener preference.
Its more abt the implementation than paper talk
Will try this if i get a chance bro.
Anyone has experience with QED Genesis Silver spiral spk cables?
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I just went on Monday to LHS and got Belden Bi-wire 1810A speaker cables with all the connectors. Excellent service, I waited about 30 mins to fix the cable.
Very affordable price and great value. I am quite happy with the sound improvement (I compared this cable to my previous QED Original cable and audioquest (flat) bi-wire).
Thanks for advice about daiso gel I'll try this soon. I'm using blu-tack now. Cheers.
Here is a list of places to visit or parts to try for the financially challenged.
1. LHS Electronics Enterprise - #02-27 Sim Lim Tower
2. Del Audio - #02-32 Sim Lim Tower
3. Koba Electronics - #03-06 People's Park Centre
4. Daiso - All over the island
5. Ikea - Alexandra and Tampines
LHS is probably your best stop to start for affordable speaker cables, or wires of any sort. They also stock decent but affordable connectors like Canare, Neutrik, Marinco, MK etc.
...
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Daiso Tampines - just got 4 packs of gel and fixed on stands (http://stands) 👍🏻 🔊🔊
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b8e9iq4hykxb33x/AADJcvTgYIdNVJXcTnqXz4SPa?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b8e9iq4hykxb33x/AADJcvTgYIdNVJXcTnqXz4SPa?dl=0)
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imho this gel is not good for my speakers/stands.Sound became a weird after fixing :P
I'll try it instead under electronics.
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I've obtained a decent quantity of the Belden 9497 speaker cable. Stay tuned for my impressions. These can be obtained for $4 / m from LHS. This cable has been highly recommended by Shindo-san from Shindo labs no-less !
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Belden make some pretty decent cables and especially used in the pro markets where good transmission and durability are key. My Linkwitz speakers are all Belden 2, 4 or 8 core and never any complaints.
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I've obtained a decent quantity of the Belden 9497 speaker cable. Stay tuned for my impressions. These can be obtained for $4 / m from LHS. This cable has been highly recommended by Shindo-san from Shindo labs no-less !
Staying tuned :)
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I've spent some time evaluating various interconnects at varied price brackets ($1xx to $6xxx). The outcome has been an insightful one. While there is not day and night differences, my findings are that as one moves up the line with better and more advance cable builds, there is simply more refinement, resolution, decay and micro dynamics when done right.
In my evaluations, there was a cable that left me astounded. It was one of the cheaper cables of the bunch with performance that was close to the average of the cables I had tested. It is well balanced, full and articulate with good clarity and extension at both ends of the spectrum. Due to the cable's quiet and 'black' nature, it presented above average detail with a liquidity that was quite captivating! If I had to nitpick, and without consideration to price, it lacked the utmost resolution, micro dynamics and control of the deepest bass notes. Considering the price (RRP USD 500 for 6 feet xlr ic) and in comparison to top tier, top dollar cables, this is high praise!
I throughly enjoyed my time with this cable and will very enthusiastically recommend it to anyone looking for a high performance cable for little money. Overall, it is quite neutral in character with a slight emphasis in the mids. It is well balanced throughout with a smoothness that is not overly analytical or fatiguing for longer listening sessions. I would be hard pressed to do better at this price point.
The cable described here is none other than the Soundstring Gen II interconnect which is distributed locally by Horizon Acoustics in Singapore. Contact Mr Poon for an audition and pricing.
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I've spent some time evaluating various interconnects at varied price brackets ($1xx to $6xxx). The outcome has been an insightful one. While there is not day and night differences, my findings are that as one moves up the line with better and more advance cable builds, there is simply more refinement, resolution, decay and micro dynamics when done right.
In my evaluations, there was a cable that left me astounded. It was one of the cheaper cables of the bunch with performance that was close to the average of the cables I had tested. It is well balanced, full and articulate with good clarity and extension at both ends of the spectrum. Due to the cable's quiet and 'black' nature, it presented above average detail with a liquidity that was quite captivating! If I had to nitpick, and without consideration to price, it lacked the utmost resolution, micro dynamics and control of the deepest bass notes. Considering the price (RRP USD 500 for 6 feet xlr ic) and in comparison to top tier, top dollar cables, this is high praise!
I throughly enjoyed my time with this cable and will very enthusiastically recommend it to anyone looking for a high performance cable for little money. Overall, it is quite neutral in character with a slight emphasis in the mids. It is well balanced throughout with a smoothness that is not overly analytical or fatiguing for longer listening sessions. I would be hard pressed to do better at this price point.
The cable described here is none other than the Soundstring Gen II interconnect which is distributed locally by Horizon Acoustics in Singapore. Contact Mr Poon for an audition and pricing.
Thanks for sharing bro. Mind sharing briefly about your setup? Just for the context of the comparison.
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Thanks for sharing bro. Mind sharing briefly about your setup? Just for the context of the comparison.
Updated.
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Bro Darknight, which other brand of cable have you try on the sound system for evaluation? actually I have an LCR meter that can measure accurately the cable impedance, may be next time we can perform the impedance measurement and built up the cable electrical characteristic with an objective listen to how the cable sound, that will be great.
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Anyone tried those cheap China made grounding boxes. Quite a few MOs and dealers these days.
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Yes, couple of my friends using the China made grounding box with positive results.
Mostly go with silver grounding cable as they felt copper less effective in their system.