Which interconnect to get from my selection?

[Humperdink]

I'm getting a 400-dollar headphone amp (Corda) for my headphones (Sennheiser HD-600) and I need an interconnect to connect the amp to my 1300-dollar Cyrus integrated amp. My pricelimit is 150 dollars and the length of the interconnect should be around 4' or 5' (1,5 metres).

Here's a list of what I have considered the most:

Analysis Plus Oval One
Chord Siren
DiMarzio M-Path
Audioquest Diamondback
Monster Cable i400 MKII

If you had the choose from this bunch, which one would you choose? Right now, my TOP-2 interconnects from that list are Analysis Plus Oval One and DiMarzio M-Path. DiMarzio isn't exactly known for its hifi interconnects but everyone seems to recommend the M-Path for headphone amps. On the other hand, Analysis Plus has received a ton of praise over its quality and price/performance-ratio.

I know that I could go DIY or get low-cost cables such as Blue Jeans cables but PLEASE CHOOSE ONE INTERCONNECT FROM THE LIST ABOVE!

 

[Duffinator]

I know that I could go DIY or get low-cost cables such as Blue Jeans cables but PLEASE CHOOSE ONE INTERCONNECT FROM THE LIST ABOVE!

Bluejeans are low-cost not low quality. Purchase your custom length from Bluejeans and send me half the money you save ($50).

If you haven't tried Bluejeans yet now's your chance. Their service is first rate and very fast.

 

[Shinerman]

I would go for the most expensive one. It's obviously the best.

Shinerman

 

[Humperdink]

Come on fellas, don't be like that. I'm sick and tired of hearing about snake oil. I do know that the difference between a low-cost cable and a high-cost cable isn't big at all, but there is still some difference. So please, spare the sarcasm and just make up your minds: if you were me, which cable would you get from my list (above).

I'm not going to get Blue Jeans. However, I know that despite their relatively low-price, they are quite good cables.

 

[Shinerman]

, but there is still some difference.

There is? How so? I'm talking about Audible difference.

OK, here is another way to decide.

Your $1300.00 amp / $400 Headphone Amp = 3.25

and,

3.25 x 1.5 (meters needed) = 4.875

Now, convert to Feet

12 (inches in a foot) x 4.875 = $58.50

So, which ever is the closest to $58.50 plus tax.


Sorry, I could not resist.

Shinerman

P.S. Been in a mood today. I realyl could not say one or the other. Just pick the one that's the best price. Seriously.

 

[warpdrive]

If you're going to go and get some high end cables, my friend is using the Atlas brand which he swears by, they are made in UK

http://www.hifi.org.uk/products/

You can get them from May Audio in the USA
http://www.mayaudio.com/mayaudio/cat.asp?CatID=132

I've seen these cables and they seem to be very well made.

Personally, I think it's a waste, buying a cable from Blue Jeans is as much performance as one can possibly need.

 

[ducker]

Shinerman, you didn't factor in the cost of the headphones
Shouldn't that impact the final value?

I think whatevery one is getting at is... overpriced cable is overpriced cable. You'll get great performace from any of them I'm sure. Buy the one that looks the sexiest to you.

 

[Duffinator]

Here's a list of what I have considered the most:

Analysis Plus Oval One
Chord Siren
DiMarzio M-Path
Audioquest Diamondback
Monster Cable i400 MKII
I know that I could go DIY or get low-cost cables such as Blue Jeans cables but PLEASE CHOOSE ONE INTERCONNECT FROM THE LIST ABOVE!

OK, if you don't want cool looking custom cables from Bluejeans that have nice looking Techflex then I choose:

Not Analysis Plus Oval One, sounds like it's from the movie "Analyze This"
Not DiMarzio M-Path. Italians make great sports cars not interconnects.
Not Audioquest Diamondback. I'm a Dodger fan so anything else from the National League West is out.
Not Monster Cable. They are way too popular on this site.
I choose Chord Siren. Reminds me of an old girlfriend.

Seriously, They will all work fine, just pick the nicest looking one that matches your equipment.

 

[Duffinator]

Or here's a good deal to check out:

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To redeem your 40% savings, simply make a purchase in our online store, and enter in the promo code: TAXDAY when you checkout. Your 40% savings will be automatically calculated into your order total. This great savings coupled with free FedEx Express Saver shipping (2-3 days) on all US orders, will hopefully make your transaction with the tax man a little less painful.

OK, now for the fine print. 40% Savings can ONLY be redeemed on orders placed from April 15th through April 17th. Also, this offer cannot be combined with any others.

To browse our fine line of audio and video cables, simply click on the link below:

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We hope your tax day is as pleasant as possible, and until next time, we hope all your connections are true.


Best Regards,

Cobalt Cable - True Premium Cables
www.cobaltcable.com
Toll-Free: (877) 6-COBALT

 

[jaxvon]

Or you could just buy Blue Jeans instead of Cobalt cable, since it's the same thing, only minus the techflex and the *BLING BLING*.

 

[mtrycrafts]

but there is still some difference.

What would that be? Higher cost- lower cost= difference


if you were me, which cable would you get from my list (above).

None of them. I'd start with a new list

 

[Nick250]

I use Radio Shack Gold to connect my Corda to my CD player. I can not imagine there could be any improvement with more expensive cables but I don't buy into the fancy cable thing anyway. Also if you happen to be thinking about about an expensive power cord don't bother. There was a lot of talk on the headphone boards at the time (about 3 years ago) about which power cord to use with the Corda. I emailed with the owner of Corda (can't remember the name at the moment, nice guy) about this issue and he said there was no improvement beyond a regular every day computer power cord . It's a nice amp, enjoy!

 

[Humperdink]

First of all, if we are talking about sex appeal then I would say that Analysis Plus Oval One is the winner although Chord Siren is pretty hot too.

Oval One pic

Analysis Plus ICs

About the power cord issue: don't worry, I'll be using a standard (cheap) black powercord that used to be connected to my desktop computer. So no Wattgate or anything.

Anyway, to tell you the truth, I'm in Finland right now and here the cable selection, especially the low-cost high-quality selection, is really poor. There's no Radio Shack or Blue Jeans. Of course I could order Blue Jeans from the States but I'd have to pay a whole lot to get the darn things here, so no thank you. Anyway, with the money I would spend on shipping and customs, I could buy a more expensive cable here.

The cable brands in Finland are as follows: Audioquest, Monster Cable, DiMarzio, van den hul, Tara Labs, Transparent, QED, Black Rhodium, Analysis Plus, Nordost, Chord, Kimber, Ixos, Goertz, Ecosse, Cello, Cardas, Dali, Vivanco (this is a low-cost brand) and that's about it although I may have forgotten a few.

By the way, I am truly surprised that none of you seem to recognize the brand Analysis Plus. Soundstage and StereoTimes among others have given it some really excellent reviews and praised it for its relatively low-cost and for its quality that competes with cables that cost two or three times more than it.

Isn't there anyone here who knows or has tested one of the cables on my list? This is Audioholics, right. I know I know... you are going to say that a good Audioholic can tell the difference between a good cable and snake oil, but still, there are hifists who spend more than 1000 dollars for an interconnect. SO PLEASE CAN'T ANYWAY SUGGEST AN INTERCONNECT FROM MY LIST OR AMONG THE BRANDS I LISTED THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN FINLAND.

 

[zumbo]

Try a google for Belden & Canare Finland. You may find a company that uses these components to make cables that will not charge an arm and a leg to ship.

 

[zumbo]

AudioQuest sidewinder and copperhead look to be of high quality at a fair price.

Well, after another look, they look to be pricey. But, if you can find a good deal, they still look to be of high quality.

 

[Nick250]

Well, if you think that cables make a difference (personally I am on the skeptical side of this issue) then I guess it would be a matter of adutioning the various cables to see what sounds best to you. FWIW back when I was reading the headphone forums the thing that most folks thought made the most improvement was changing the cable that went between the headphone and the amplifer. I even think Corda may sell one. Again I am somewhat skeptical, but food for thought.

 

[Humperdink]

Well, if you think that cables make a difference (personally I am on the skeptical side of this issue) then I guess it would be a matter of adutioning the various cables to see what sounds best to you. FWIW back when I was reading the headphone forums the thing that most folks thought made the most improvement was changing the cable that went between the headphone and the amplifer. I even think Corda may sell one. Again I am somewhat skeptical, but food for thought.

Well that's just it. The selection in Finland is really really poor and I am staying in a town that sell only Monster Cable, Nordost and van den hul. I can't audition the cables because I'm going to order them from another town.

I know that different cables sound different in different systems (warning: different overdose ) but I was hoping that somebody would know which cable would most likely be at least decent in my system.

 

[zumbo]

Well that's just it. The selection in Finland is really really poor and I am staying in a town that sell only Monster Cable, Nordost and van den hul. I can't audition the cables because I'm going to order them from another town.

I know that different cables sound different in different systems (warning: different overdose ) but I was hoping that somebody would know which cable would most likely be at least decent in my system.

Audition cables?

Cables sound different?

Oh lord.

 

[twoksl2]

i personally have out entire theater hooked up with audioquest diamondback (my wife worked for a dealer) and i absolutly love them, they are a really high build quality and sound perfectly fine to me.
i don't want to get into any discussions about cables sounding different, thats in the list of things not to talk about, along with religion and politics

 

[Humperdink]

i personally have out entire theater hooked up with audioquest diamondback (my wife worked for a dealer) and i absolutly love them, they are a really hogh build quality and sound perfectly fine to me.
i don't want to get into any discussions about cables sounding different, thats in the list of things not to talk about, along with religion and politics

That's what I'm talkin' about. Thank you!