auditioning speaker cables

[julesd68]

Would like a bit of advice from the cable-swappers amongst you - I know you are out there :eyebrows:

I've had the same Atlas Hyper speaker cable for many years and become a bit of a cable sceptic, so I thought I would try and keep an open mind, and test a couple of different second-hand cables just for fun.

First question is how to safely switch between cables whilst leaving as much of the system "warmed up" as possible. Is it ok if I simply switch my power amp off when changing cables, leaving the pre and phono stage on?

Second, how much of an audition does speaker cable require? If I am going to hear a different (better or worse) sonic character will I hear it immediately? I am wondering how long you give a cable to show what it can do? I expect this is a "how long is a piece of string" question but I'll ask it anyway ...

[synsei]

Hi Julian,

Yes it is perfectly okay to just switch off your power amp, I've done it often enough without any ill effects what-so-ever ;)

As you have guessed correctly, your question concerning how long you should listen to a particular speaker cable does involve the respective length of a piece of string. You'll know when ;)

[realysm42]

The piece of string statement isn't far wrong :)

Some companies would recommend atleast 50+ hours for optimum performance.

Some don't beleive it exists.

Really, if you want to do this in a 'low (financial) risk' manner, your best bet is to go second hand, hopefully snap up some bargains with pre-burnt in cables (should remove that argument/factor entirely from the equation altogether then).

I'd advise getting some reference cds (ones you know well and love and that can stress certain elements of your speakers range, bass, mids, complex arrangements etc) and audition that way.

With regards to safety, I'd always advise turning things off first; atleast the amp. With all the auditioning you're going to be doing, it should take long to warm back up :cool:

Enjoy.

[Reid Malenfant]

First question is how to safely switch between cables whilst leaving as much of the system "warmed up" as possible. Is it ok if I simply switch my power amp off when changing cables, leaving the pre and phono stage on?
Yes that's 100% safe! If you are careful you can disconnect each positive output from the power amp followed by the negative with no need to switch it off. Just don't short the positive output to negative & that is also 100% safe, then disconnect at the speaker & connect the new one at the speaker first, then the negative at the amp followed by the positive :) However if you aren't sure switch it off... You won't get electrocuted as your amp will be outputting nothing as long as you are not spinning anything.


Second, how much of an audition does speaker cable require? If I am going to hear a different (better or worse) sonic character will I hear it immediately? I am wondering how long you give a cable to show what it can do? I expect this is a "how long is a piece of string" question but I'll ask it anyway ...
You may well notice differences straight away, it doesn't mean you like them though. However, as long as things aren't dire from the outset I'd give the new cables time to run in a bit.

[MartinT]

If your power amp has speaker switching, then simply turn that circuit off. Otherwise it's ok to switch the power amp off leaving everything else running.

Use a cable for an hour or two before swapping. You're not trying to hold the memory of a sound while you switch, just let the impression left by each cable creep up on you. Play familiar music and let your brain do the rest.

[julesd68]

Martin - I see you have that new-fangled Tellurium stuff - how long did it take you to think that this was the cable for you?

[julesd68]

Interesting perspective from the DNM website on cable swapping -

< When auditioning speaker cable, most of the differences heard are caused not by the cable itself but by the amplifier reacting to the revised loading of the cable. >

Full article here -

http://www.dnm.co.uk/cables.html

[realysm42]

Don't know which martin you're asking, but about 10 seconds :lol:

[julesd68]

Don't know which martin you're asking, but about 10 seconds :lol:

Well I was asking the other one but you'll do!!
Didn't notice you had it aswell ...

[realysm42]

Honestly, if you're after something relatively affordable, I'd give the blue a go atleast.

Out of the box it's a great performer; I've not heard anyone dislike it. I cut that part of the journey out and just went for Ultra Blacks, purely based on what people had said on here. The only thing I might replace it with when I'm rich is the Graphite stuff :)

[MartinT]

how long did it take you to think that this was the cable for you?

Not long. After a good running-in, about 10 mins to be convinced that it left my expensive Kimbers for dead. All the rest of the listening simply confirmed what I had already heard.

[hifinutt]

i adore trying out new cables but you do have to give them time to settle down before evaluating as has been said
you must try a pair of townshend isolda , you might be shocked they really are very good

[julesd68]

i adore trying out new cables but you do have to give them time to settle down before evaluating as has been said
you must try a pair of townshend isolda , you might be shocked they really are very good

thanks - i'll keep an eye out for a second-hand pair

[julesd68]

OMG - just seen the price of the Ultra Black :eek:

[realysm42]

OMG - just seen the price of the Ultra Black :eek:

The graphite is about double that :eyebrows:

Honestly, try the blue, I'm sure you can get some cheap second hand, it had a major impact on my brother's stereo, never seen him so happy with it.

[Reid Malenfant]

Just think, if you can Bi-wire you can go black & blue :D

:donk:

:rfl:

6821

[realysm42]

That was low Mark :D

[julesd68]

I feel obliged to try some Tellurium blue - hopefully there will be someone wanting to upgrade ...

[MCRU]

Just think, if you can Bi-wire you can go black & blue :D

:donk:

:rfl:

6821

:lol:

[hifi_dave]

Or Green with envy..:doh:

[MCRU]

it's too early for such joviality dave :lol:

[ColinWonfor]

But Black is Beautiful :cool:

[hifi_dave]

Ultra Black is even more so.

Sorry, going Blue with the cold.

That must have covered them all now ?

[realysm42]

The Graphite's a grey area for me.

[MartinT]

:doh:

[julesd68]

Now I'm going to be having a four way winner-takes-all budget cable shoot out.

I have some Blue on the way thanks to Mains Cable David :)

Contenders are -

Tellurium Blue
Atlas Hyper 1.5
QED Original mk 2 bi-wire
RS Audio Silver

I'll just be happy if I can hear a difference between them ...

[MartinT]

Oh, you will, you will. Enjoy your shootout - they're fun!

[Tarzan]

Now I'm going to be having a four way winner-takes-all budget cable shoot out.

I have some Blue on the way thanks to Mains Cable David :)

Contenders are -

Tellurium Blue
Atlas Hyper 1.5
QED Original mk 2 bi-wire
RS Audio Silver

I'll just be happy if I can hear a difference between them ...

He's a top bloke that Mains Cable David:)

[MCRU]

He's a top bloke that Mains Cable David:)

Nordost Shiva, do I have to say any more.....:ner:

[The Black Adder]

Honestly... For a layout of £20 try the Belkin speaker cable first and maybe save some money!!!

It really is very good indeed.

[realysm42]

I wouldn't try it first, I'd try it along with the rest for the fairest test, otherwise how will he ever know?

[The Black Adder]

Yep, true... very true :)

[julesd68]

Oh, you will, you will. Enjoy your shootout - they're fun!

Part of me hopes to hear a difference with the cables - who wouldn't want a relatively cheap upgrade to their system. The other part of me hopes the cheap stuff is just as good coz then it's a slippery slope to tinkering with interconnects and mains cables etc :eek:

[julesd68]

Tellurium Blue arrived today. Thanks David :)

Can't wait to do my little shoot-out, hopefully tomorrow;
let battle commence!

[julesd68]

Bollox :steam::doh:

Why does this have to happen to me???

During my cable shoot-out I noticed that my power amp was getting super-hot.
Worked ok for two sets of cable, then I put the third set of cable in - nothing. Tried the cd player, nothing. Tried my original cable, nothing. Something on the amp has obviously gone but I don't know how or why! To be safe, I was turning the power amp on and off in between switching cable.

I though Quad 405-2's were meant to be strong and reliable. What could I have done wrong??

[StanleyB]

The 405 has some fuses on the PCB. check if they are still intact. They might just need replacing, and away you go again.

[julesd68]

The 405 has some fuses on the PCB. check if they are still intact. They might just need replacing, and away you go again.

Just got the two fuses out - one of them looks like a small nuclear explosion has occured inside and the other one is completely clear - can't see any wire inside it.

I presume both fuses need replacing? I think one of them says F4A250V and the other says T4A250V - is this what I ask for at Maplins?

Presumably I have done something to cause this - what could that have been?

Thanks for your help!

[MartinT]

F4A is a fast blow 4A fuse.
T4A is a slow blow 4A fuse (strictly speaking, time-lag).

[julesd68]

Guys - in the amp it had one slow blow and one fast blow fuse, but on the circuit board it says they should both be fast blow :scratch: Someone has obviously taken an executive decision to put a slow blow fuse in there. I only have fast blow fuses - will I be ok using these or is my house going to blow up?

[MartinT]

Yes Jules - use the fast blow fuses as you'll actually be safer.

HOWEVER: you need to understand why the amp became hot and blew its fuses in the first instance. I would revert to your original speaker cables and soak test the amp on music for an hour, then test its temperature. If all is good, proceed with caution with the other cables.

[julesd68]

Drat, drat and triple drat :steam:

Changed the fuses, switched on and all I got was a thump and no music.
All this for just wanting to try some speaker cable!!

[MartinT]

Sounds like it's blown an output transistor or two :(

There must be a 405 expert among the assembled who could take a look at it?

[Reid Malenfant]

I'd take a look at it, but I'm probably too far away, & with a lack of transport it just makes things more difficult :rolleyes:

[julesd68]

Appreciate the thought Mark!

[julesd68]

Well, I couldn't stand the thought of being amp-less for too long, so decided to take a punt ... Considered quite a few different power-amps I could try but then thought well I like the sound of my 405-2, so something in the Quad range would be appropriate. So after an emergency ebay purchase, I have a 909 on its way! :eyebrows: This will keep me happy whilst the 405-2 is being repaired and when I get that back I will be interested to see how the two compare. I will then keep my fave of the two ...