You could also speak to a dealer to see if they've tried different cables during demos and have found any that work particularly well with your amplifier. I have a fair few decent XLR mic cables, as I am a singer/musician with a lot of nice mics. I also have balanced cables for my monitors already.

The shielding question is still interesting to me and I hope Dennis will jump in and explain his reasons for not shielding his cables. The first thing we do to a pair of analogue interconnects is run them in by connecting them to our reference system. In our experience, their impact on a system can change over time so we make sure they have a couple of days with an audio signal running through them. In the final analysis always try before you buy and if you are happy with something (Whether it actually makes a difference of not) and you can afford it, then go for it, as happiness cannot be measured.I still believe that the reduction of skin effect, low capacitance and possibly mono crystal structures will result in a better flow of electrons along a cable, but I'm no electronic engineer or scientist, so may be I am being taken in by the bull? Simple really a child could tell you the difference.A child will also believe anything you tell them. During testing, we found it really quite unsatisfyingto listen to the same songs with anything else of a similar price. They allow for our system to deliver an open, crisp and rhythmic sound and dynamics are communicated with confidence. Theprice tag might weigh heavy on many listeners’ wallets – and the cheaper C-line remains a class leader we can still get behind – but for those who can justify the outlay, the Clearway Analogue RCA (2022) is brilliantly capable of letting you hear whereyour money has gone. Van Damme Tour Grade Classic XKE Starquad is specified for analogue audio signals in areas of high electronic interference. Ideal for outside broadcast in areas that may be subject to EMI and RFI – for example in close proximity tolighting dimmer circuits and major power feeds. This cable combines electrical integrity withmechanical strength without compromising flexibility. Read the full Chord Company Clearway Analogue RCA (2022) review How to choose the right audio cables for you

Van Damme studio 8 channel DB25/DSUB to XLR loom (4×female & 4×male) where female XLR’s are inputs and male XLR’s are outputs. Made using Van Damme green series digital AES 110ohm cable and Neutrik connectors. For full specification please use the link below. If you currently own an excellent entry-level set-up you don't need to spend big on interconnects. However, at the same time, there's nothing stopping you from trying more premium pairs to see how your system reacts. As you can see from our list below, there are some brilliant budget options available. As a general rule of thumb, we'd recommend setting aside 10-15 per cent of the total cost of your system for cables. In the case of a hi-fi set-up, you'll be looking at analogue interconnects, speaker cables and, potentially, a digital optical or coaxial cable depending on the sources you're using. So you'll want to dedicate a share of this to a pair of suitable analogue interconnects.Did you do a double blind test on the cables with everything level matched so as to rule out inconsistences and placebo effect, if not then your claims are just opinions and not facts, so your assertion that a child could hear a difference is totally nonsensical. The original Clearway analogue interconnects have been around for a little while and they were revised in 2022 to introduce a new plating to the plugs. However, on having another look around, it appears that the PS Audio cables are half the price of the Chimera Labs (well in the US anyway). The Silver (Transcendence) PS Audio cables are about the same price as the Chimera Labs'. So you are saying you agree with Phlog and not Paul from PS Audio, that balanced cables are immune to noise/interference? abacus said:Did you do a double blind test on the cables with everything level matched so as to rule out inconsistences and placebo effect, if not then your claims are just opinions and not facts, so your assertion that a child could hear a difference is totally nonsensical.

A good starting point is to consider getting in touch with the manufacturer of your stereo amplifier and asking if they recommend a particular brand or model of interconnect. After all, engineers will have spent hours experimenting during the development process and you might be told some valuable nuggets of information which might make your job of finding something suitable more simple. Here's the deal. Balanced XLR type cables, when used properly, have great noise immunity (as he said). They accomplish this noise immunity through something called common mode rejection. Inside the balanced cables are two signal wires (where an RCA style has only one) and a ground. When something hits both signal wires at the same time (like noise and hum might) it can be said that this is a common signal and it will be rejected. Thus the term common mode. Make sense?Here are links for those of you that want to delve deeper into AV cable construction. I don't agree with everything Thorsten has to say, but I feel he covers the aspects of cable design quite well. My response is not meant to start an argument on cable performance, so I will focus on my opinion about shielded cables versus unshielded cables. They deliver a step-up in quality from the cheaper C-ine mentioned above, but they do cost more and their talents will be heard more obviously in systems that are at mid-level price and above. It is certainly true that the common mode rejection inherent in balanced cables will reduce RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) and to a much lesser extent EMI (Electromagnetic Interference). As Paul mentioned, the performance of the “circuits” used in your equipment can have a significant effect. Studio equipment uses 150 Ohm or 600 Ohm input and output transformers. Many AV manufacturers do not use transformers, probably due to the added cost.. I am not familiar with the materials, geometry and construction PS Audio uses in their balanced cables, but they certainly have a reputation for excellent performance at an affordable price.