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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 12, 2019 21:46:06 GMT -6
Anyone bought these from Amazon? Cheap but look decent and has good reviews. I almost pulled the trigger and then chickened out. Don’t know if I’m one to believe the cable hype.
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Post by jtc111 on Apr 12, 2019 22:27:27 GMT -6
During the 16 or so years I've been doing this stuff, like most of us, I've bought a ridiculous number of cables. In the beginning my Sweetwater guy sold me plenty of the Pro Co cables they like to push. I have almost none of them left now because for whatever reason they'd go bad on occasion and tracking down a bad cable is a pain in the ass. At some point I started buying cables from Redco. At first the reason was because I could get custom lengths so I didn't have so much loose spaghetti hanging off my gear, but after awhile I realized that while my Pro Co stuff would still go bad on occasion, the Mogami/Neutrik cables I was getting from Redco never did. I don't mess with cheap cables anymore. YMMV.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 12, 2019 22:48:22 GMT -6
I was thinking the same thing. Why mess with cheap cables and the expect an improvement? There is some hype in the cable world, but then show me any place in audio where there isn't. I've used everything from $ 5 a foot speaker wire to $9,000 interconnects in my former life as an audiophile. Where I've landed is first, cables do change the sound. If you don't hear it there's something wrong with your hearing or listening skills, or you've got a closed mind that's made up already. Second, you don't need to spend crazy dollars to get a nice improvement in sound quality, mainly a lower noise floor, so you get blacker backgrounds to listen for details in, and just like finding a capsule that doesn't pinch, a good cable can smooth out some things while simultaneously being more revealing. Now, of course, how much difference you hear depends on where you're using cable upgrades. Power cords often show only subtle differences, but once heard, you'd rather have them, so I recommend finding a good brand used between $75 and $125. Speaker cable is a weak point in many systems, but you may not need speaker wire if your speakers are powered. In that case, Mogami is good. In your stereo system, interconnects can sound quite different, and that's where a lot of the hype happens. If you really just can't stand spending money on cables I'd recommend Canare. You can order them at B&H. I have a few 1/4" TRS to XLR cables made by them and they sound fine and are nicely made and if memory serves, they're quieter than the basic cables stores sell. I like that I can order them in colors which helps me find them within a mess of wires. They're only around $15. www.bhphotovideo.com |
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Post by NoTomorrow on Apr 12, 2019 23:07:34 GMT -6
I've never used these Tisino cables but I have ordered tons of EWI cables from Audiophile.net Absolutely heavy-duty, top quality cables and they are even cheaper than the ones you're talking about on Amazon. Especially for longer lengths... Here is a link: Audiophile EWI cables |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 13, 2019 5:48:03 GMT -6
Johnkenn, are you looking for studio cables or guitar cables?
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 13, 2019 7:55:34 GMT -6
Yeah. Just need to pick up odds and ends.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 13, 2019 8:15:13 GMT -6
Yeah. Just need to pick up odds and ends. For all my short interconnect cables, I use GLS. I buy the 6 packs. I just picked up a couple Kirlin instrument cables on musicians friend. They feel pretty good for the price. For gigs, I use a 30 foot Bullet coiled cable. It's great quality and the coil keeps it out of your feet. |
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Post by guitfiddler on Apr 13, 2019 8:32:54 GMT -6
Back in the good ole days of the audio world I bought these Shure 20’ microphone XLR cables. They were really nice. The connectors are heavy and solid, and shiny. They sounded better compared to many other cables that I had bought. They were smaller in diameter and flexed much easier to coil up. This was before monster and Mogami cables. Not Shure(lol) how Shure did it, but I have had these cables since the 80’s and they are still in great shape and out of the 20 I have, only one went bad. I tried hunting down these cables and the last time I checked they were made in Mexico and weren’t the same cable. Now, I’m not Shure if Shure even makes them anymore, and if they do, I’m almost positive they aren’t the same quality as these. I believe I paid $25 a cable. I’m thinking if I could find these cables now, the exact build, they would probably cost $60-$80 a cable. I doubt they make them, and I can guarantee they aren’t as nice nor sound as good. It’s a shame because they are so nice I want to get more.
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Post by jdc on Apr 13, 2019 9:13:37 GMT -6
+1 for EWI cables from AudioPile
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Apr 13, 2019 9:42:41 GMT -6
Back in the good ole days of the audio world I bought these Shure 20’ microphone XLR cables. They were really nice. The connectors are heavy and solid, and shiny. They sounded better compared to many other cables that I had bought. They were smaller in diameter and flexed much easier to coil up. This was before monster and Mogami cables. Not Shure(lol) how Shure did it, but I have had these cables since the 80’s and they are still in great shape and out of the 20 I have, only one went bad. I tried hunting down these cables and the last time I checked they were made in Mexico and weren’t the same cable. Now, I’m not Shure if Shure even makes them anymore, and if they do, I’m almost positive they aren’t the same quality as these. I believe I paid $25 a cable. I’m thinking if I could find these cables now, the exact build, they would probably cost $60-$80 a cable. I doubt they make them, and I can guarantee they aren’t as nice nor sound as good. It’s a shame because they are so nice I want to get more. From a performance standpoint those Shure cables were OK at best, froma money in my pocket standpoint when Shure would run a special at our cost of $.99 loved them oh how I loved them! |
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Post by svart on Apr 13, 2019 9:45:34 GMT -6
GLS are decent workhorse cables. They use neutrik knockoff connectors which have been mostly decent. Over a dozen years and as many cables from them, I've only had a few failures, but I'm fairly certain it's because I'm super rough with cables.
The biggest gripe I have with them is that the conductors twist within the outer sheath so you end up with a lumpy looking cable after coiling them a lot over time.
I've mostly switched to lowcap neutrik cable and soldered my own neutrik connectors for everything these days, as you can usually find the raw cable and connectors on eBay for fairly cheap. I still don't have a problem using the GLS cables for stuff though as they don't sound *that* different.
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Post by Omicron9 on Apr 14, 2019 11:09:56 GMT -6
For years, I've made my own. I buy raw Mogami quad cable and Neutrik connectors from Redco. I think you can make better cables than you can buy for the same $. Plus if you need to repair one, it's quick and easy, tho I've yet to need to fix one of my own (some as old as 15 years).
Having a great soldering iron is key. I have a Hakko that I like a lot.
Before I started making them, I got in quite a lot of feet of Mogami, Canare, and Gotham. I made a few of each to compare. My favorites were the Mogami and Gotham.
Invest in a good soldering iron and get to work!
-09
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Post by svart on Apr 14, 2019 11:31:08 GMT -6
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2019 12:07:46 GMT -6
I've only made my own with Mogami and gold plated Neutrik for the last 15 years too.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Apr 14, 2019 13:27:58 GMT -6
One thing to remember it’s really easy to make a connector and cable look good it’s another thing to make one that works good over time.
Cheap connectors are the worst, weird sizing and cheap platting that corrodes or wears are more expensive over time.
The worst is when you use a cheap connector on a piece of gear with a different brand of cheap connector.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 14, 2019 21:21:51 GMT -6
Can't we just help John with some simple advice without insults? I do have a sense of humor actually, but often a personal dig is given with a smile.I wish people would stop making fun of people who've experienced improvements when using different cables. After all my years in the music business in every situation imaginable, and decades of careful listening and training, it's just plain insulting and distracting. So far Bob Ohllson and Jim Williams have mentioned the improvement they heard when using different brands of cable, so it's not just me, but many others who are respected and knowledgeable. This is what was posted. The only purpose was to ridicule. www.avsforum.com/double-blind-abx-testing-proves-power-cords-effect-audio/?fbclid=IwAR1nSoKrIwNtY-tUv-WLVQYfe3hpEpyPJJurdD2-8JOLI2fXxF9JvazZmhQ |
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Post by teejay on Apr 14, 2019 22:47:31 GMT -6
If you're not into making your own, check out custom Zombie cables from Warren over at ZenPro. Really happy with mine.
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Post by svart on Apr 15, 2019 6:18:06 GMT -6
Can't we just help John with some simple advice without insults? I do have a sense of humor actually, but often a personal dig is given with a smile.I wish people would stop making fun of people who've experienced improvements when using different cables. After all my years in the music business in every situation imaginable, and decades of careful listening and training, it's just plain insulting and distracting. So far Bob Ohllson and Jim Williams have mentioned the improvement they heard when using different brands of cable, so it's not just me, but many others who are respected and knowledgeable. This is what was posted. The only purpose was to ridicule. www.avsforum.com/double-blind-abx-testing-proves-power-cords-effect-audio/?fbclid=IwAR1nSoKrIwNtY-tUv-WLVQYfe3hpEpyPJJurdD2-8JOLI2fXxF9JvazZmhQI added a smile, just for you. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 15, 2019 7:59:24 GMT -6
OK, thanks. Must have missed it.
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Post by forgotteng on Apr 15, 2019 18:50:34 GMT -6
I have used EWI from audiopile right alongside my mogami. I have been happy with them. Also have made my own cables with GLS stuff.
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Post by guitfiddler on Apr 25, 2019 4:24:18 GMT -6
Back in the good ole days of the audio world I bought these Shure 20’ microphone XLR cables. They were really nice. The connectors are heavy and solid, and shiny. They sounded better compared to many other cables that I had bought. They were smaller in diameter and flexed much easier to coil up. This was before monster and Mogami cables. Not Shure(lol) how Shure did it, but I have had these cables since the 80’s and they are still in great shape and out of the 20 I have, only one went bad. I tried hunting down these cables and the last time I checked they were made in Mexico and weren’t the same cable. Now, I’m not Shure if Shure even makes them anymore, and if they do, I’m almost positive they aren’t the same quality as these. I believe I paid $25 a cable. I’m thinking if I could find these cables now, the exact build, they would probably cost $60-$80 a cable. I doubt they make them, and I can guarantee they aren’t as nice nor sound as good. It’s a shame because they are so nice I want to get more. From a performance standpoint those Shure cables were OK at best, froma money in my pocket standpoint when Shure would run a special at our cost of $.99 loved them oh how I loved them! They sound just as good as the Mogami. If I remember correctly these were their premium cable, made in America! I actually contacted Shure a few(10)years ago, maybe? And they said that they no longer have those. Then I called back a few years ago and they couldn't even answer my question because I think they don't keep records that far back...lol! Just like Sennheiser, what is happening to these companies? Have we surpassed that many generations to where us old school guys can't even get an answer on their legacy products from a few decades ago? |
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Post by Ward on Apr 25, 2019 6:44:44 GMT -6
Now if someone could find me an inexpensive source of braided IEC power cables, that would be great. I routinely ditch the ones that come with new equipment in favor of ones made in the 80s and 90s, where the black white and ground wires were braided and/or twisted which cut down on interference
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Apr 25, 2019 7:24:36 GMT -6
If the cable is balanced, your using pro equipment (+4 dBu) and the run isn't long then any cable with decent build quality should do.
When you are talking something like unbalanced guitar cables, then you start noticing the difference in sound.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Apr 25, 2019 7:31:40 GMT -6
From a performance standpoint those Shure cables were OK at best, froma money in my pocket standpoint when Shure would run a special at our cost of $.99 loved them oh how I loved them! They sound just as good as the Mogami. If I remember correctly these were their premium cable, made in America! I actually contacted Shure a few(10)years ago, maybe? And they said that they no longer have those. Then I called back a few years ago and they couldn't even answer my question because I think they don't keep records that far back...lol! Just like Sennheiser, what is happening to these companies? Have we surpassed that many generations to where us old school guys can't even get an answer on their legacy products from a few decades ago? Part of the problem I think is that there was never one source for these cables, they simply bought them from who ever would give them the best deal. I remember a guy who would come in and cherry pick from the ones we had on the sales floor. Everybody relies on computers these days and I’m sure Shure has changed systems numerous times over the years and these details just get lost in the shuffle. |
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Post by notneeson on Apr 25, 2019 7:48:54 GMT -6
Anyone bought these from Amazon? Cheap but look decent and has good reviews. I almost pulled the trigger and then chickened out. Don’t know if I’m one to believe the cable hype. I have some of their shortys. They’re absolutely fine sonicly. I guess time will tell how they hold up, but they certainly feel robust in hand. |
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