Impact Acoustics vs Monoprice and Tartan

[PaulF]

I recently purchased a new DVR/DVDR and started looking for cables.

The set I am looking for includes:
- 1 x 6ft digital audio cable
- 1 x 6ft S-video cable
- 2 x 6ft stereo RCA cables

After looking at some of the more expensive cables including Audioquest, River cable (which look damn nice), and Blue Jeans Cable (sometimes a reasonable deal), I decided to focus in on Impact Acoustics and the lower priced options from Monoprice and Tartan Cable. In the case of Monoprice it was always their premium line.

The SonicWave cables from IA seem to be well built and highly regarded by Audioholics (then again they do sell them). I have previously used a combo S-video/Toslink cable from IA with good results on my Tivo DVR, it certainly removed some interference that was present using the standard cable supplied with the unit. Though this cable is regarded as part of their Velocity series, it uses different connectors from all other Velocity cables. I could not find a combo S-video/SPDIF cable in their Velocity range, though one is available in their SonicWave range. Regardless, I am leaning towards separate cables.

Monoprice indicates it uses RG-6 for its SPDIF cable and its RCA cables also use 18AWG center conductors which is better than some. IA does not specify center conductor gauge but both cables seem to share similar dual twisted pair construction.

Tartan does not get into much detail, probably so as to not impinge on their BJC product family. However the connectors look nicer than Monoprice.

My biggest question is how well the more expensive IA cables perform when it comes to noise rejection and shielding. I see a class D amp in my future and think I will need all the shielding I can get. I am interested to hear from any Monoprice or Tartan owners on how well their cables perform relative to shielding and noise rejection.

 

[Shock]

Does the DVR have an optical output? Or are you limited to just using RCA connections?

I only buy from monoprice so I'm probably biased, but every product I've bought from them has worked perfectly.

As far as shielding goes, I used to get a nasty horizontal purple line running up my tv every now and then when using component out on my DVD-R. The monoprice cables cleaned it right up.

 

[lsiberian]

Does the DVR have an optical output? Or are you limited to just using RCA connections?

I only buy from monoprice so I'm probably biased, but every product I've bought from them has worked perfectly.

As far as shielding goes, I used to get a nasty horizontal purple line running up my tv every now and then when using component out on my DVD-R. The monoprice cables cleaned it right up.

I do have issues with their optical cables locking properly though.

 

[Shock]

I do have issues with their optical cables locking properly though.

Yeah some people have said that too, but it only seems to arise on their "metal fancy" connectors. I was worried about getting some too from them, but for $3.50 I decided to take the chance, and they snap in fine on my receiver and player.

 

[PaulF]

Does the DVR have an optical output? Or are you limited to just using RCA connections?

I bought a Magnavox H2160 which only provides a coax SPDIF interface for digital audio out. Stereo analog is the only interface for recording input.

I am certain even the cheapest cables will perform OK in terms of signal transmission, especially at only 6 ft, but Monoprice and Tartan speak little about the make up of their shielding.

The whole set would only cost $15 shipped from Monoprice, perhaps I should try it and if it doesn't work move on to the next.

 

[Shock]

I bought a Magnavox H2160 which only provides a coax SPDIF interface for digital audio out. Stereo analog is the only interface for recording input.

I am certain even the cheapest cables will perform OK in terms of signal transmission, especially at only 6 ft, but Monoprice and Tartan speak little about the make up of their shielding.

The whole set would only cost $15 shipped from Monoprice, perhaps I should try it and if it doesn't work move on to the next.

I'd be surprised if you'd have any issues.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...
The set I am looking for includes:
- 1 x 6ft digital audio cable
- 1 x 6ft S-video cable
- 2 x 6ft stereo RCA cables

...

At 6 ft, monoprice will work as well as the others.

 

[jostenmeat]

I do have issues with their optical cables locking properly though.

Yeah some people have said that too, but it only seems to arise on their "metal fancy" connectors. I was worried about getting some too from them, but for $3.50 I decided to take the chance, and they snap in fine on my receiver and player.

I've plugged them in on a couple of different systems, and YMMV depending on the actual component's inputs, funnily enough.

 

[rnatalli]

I use Tartan and Monoprice cables and they seem equivalent in their build quality. Both are well-shielded so you have nothing to worry about.

 

[PaulF]

I checked with the various suppliers and here's what they said.

Impact Acoustics:

"both the SonicWave and Velocity cables provide shielding around the Y and C conductors as well as an overall shield around the cable.

45437 is two copper braids with 85% coverage, and Al-mylar Foil at 100%

29158 is one copper braid at 65% coverage, and Al-mylar Foil at 100%

Compared to the combo cable 45443. They do use similar type of cable and shielding. The combo cable uses a slightly smaller gauge of conductor than the individuals. At a 6 ft distance, that difference should not produce any problems."

Tartan:

"Both the digtial audio and stereo audio cables have braid over foil shields - so two shields. The braid is a high coverage braid (90%). The s-video has a spiral serve shield. Each of the two coaxes has an individual serve shield."

Monoprice: No answer.

I don't like the look of the Monoprice s-video cable, even their premium cable looks like it uses a cheap molded plastic connector. Without a specific response to the shield coverage I moved on.

Tartan's audio cables appear to be well shielded for the price, and their connectors IMO look nicer than Monoprice too. But their s-video only has a serve shield which I don't like. A picture of a serve shield can be found on slide 25 of Belden's shielding presentation found here >> http://www.belden.com/pdfs/Cable101/Shielding.pdf

Impact Acoustics has a well mode product but was still hoping to find a cable with slightly higher braid coverage. BTW, mheath8663, after considering shipping costs, tekcable was the lowest cost supplier.

Finally I took a look behind my system to check on what cables I had already. I had some Tributaries and Acoustic Research. Tributaries seem over priced and are not readily available over the web, on the other hand AR is widely available. After checking on the various AR types I decided to look for their Pro-II series. The connectors are metal and the cables appear to have good shielding, the braids at 95% and all contain a 100% mylar-AL shield.

I found the cables at accessories4lss.com. The s-video cables, now not so popular, were going for a song, so they were a no brainer. Then I started looking for the digital audio cable but it was not available in 6ft. As it turns out the composite video cables use the exact same construction and it was also going for a song. Another no brainer. Then I started to look for the stereo RCA cables. I like them because they are a shielded twisted pair design. They were also going for a healthy discount... but as it turns out the combo pack of L/R stereo plus composite video coax went for less then the stereo pair alone (80% discount). So I ended up purchasing that way. Two calls to AC4L confirmed the make up of the cables and that the combo pack used the same identical (separate) cables as those listed on their own.

I was just too good a deal, the three suppliers listed in the heading of this post will need to wait till next time.