Speaker Cable Upgrade: Snake Oil? Plus...Finding a Van Halen GRAIL today!

[@shahzadalam2081]

Congrats on that Van Halen find …and yes cables absolutely make a difference!

[@NickP333]

Good stuff, Tim. I believe Blue Jeans cables are made to their specs by Belden and Canare. The LC-1 interconnects are made by Belden at least. I use those, and their Canare speaker cables. Those locking bananas are great, and they’re cold welded to the wire. They’re just overall great quality high purity cables. They’re also very reasonably priced. Thanks, Tim. Another great vid. 🔊😊🎶

[@VintageStereoCollectorChannel]

Hey Tim, Welcome to the Blue Jeans 10-white family! I’ve used them for quite a few years with their locking bananas. Great choice, good price and wonderful product build too. Happy 4 U.

[@russdawson7256]

Tim as a Cornwall owner myself I can testify that they are very revealing of changes made in the system. You seem to be enjoying the journey...that's what it's all about

[@dimebagdave77]

Many thanks Tim✌️

[@matthewtapley2765]

Nice find! Always looking for good VH in the stacks and racks

[@brianmedeiros6845]

Great find on the Van Halen may have missed the chance to get a Mofi One Step? I purchased AudioQuest 14 AWG and also decided to have the RCA cables replaced on my Thorens TD-145 with Primeda Audiophile both on Amazon. Hopefully it sounds better still trying to find the time to put it all together Lol. Thank You

[@underthesun312]

Congratulations on making the jump to better quality audio cables, you can also use the Blue Jeans RCA cables they're very good too. Also, I'm glad to see that you upgraded your speakers to the Klipsch speakers, and got rid of this other old not so good speakers.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks! I do need to defend my beloved Boston Acoustics A200s though! They are really excellent and only let them go when the Cornwall opportunity arrived.

[@underthesun312]

@@Universityofvinyl I know from watching your videos that you love your Boston Acoustics A200 speakers, but I think your new Klipsch are more appropriate for the type of music that you like to listen to. Also, those Blue Jeans speaker cables you got for your Macintosh MA 6100 also come with the purchase option to use pin connectors on one end and bananas on the other end, so you wouldn't need to get those banana to pin adapters. Because any additional connection between your a speaker cables, should be avoided.

[@northcarolinavinylpicker]

Thx Tim. I will look into upgrading my cables. I have the push the wire in behind my Klipsch speakers. They are 80’s speakers. I will have to figure what I h my need. Thx art

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

I use the same banana to pin adapters. Great item for the price. 👍

[@Jamko1970]

Great find Tim, on the promo VH. The LW 1 F.E. / LW 1, is the same matrix for the test pressing. It is the best sounding of all to my ears.

[@markpocock183]

Thanks Tim, I also have the Blue Jeans 10GA. They are fantastic performers, and very reasonably priced. I found the main improvement was in the lowest frequencies where the speaker impedance tends to be lowest. Your Cornwalls dip to around 5 ohms at 20 and 100 Hz, so this is where the lower resistance of the 10GA and corresponding effective increase in damping factor of amp would have the greatest effect.

[@kylemacarthur3177]

Tim, I own a 6100 also, plus I bought the thin banana plug adapters a few years back. That said, I would clip about 1/4 of an inch off the ends of the copper where it inserts into the 6100... The adapters are too long and they can press up against the metal housing of the receiver... possibly causing a short, or worse. I used a Dremel to shave a bit off the first pair, and used a wire cutter on the second set.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Kimber Varistrand 😊 for the win 🏆

[@amosperrine1909]

As with you I recently upgraded my phono stage from my vintage Audio Research preamp,, went with the EAT Petit, and even more recently the speaker cable, from something similar to what you had (but better) to the NAIM. Each made a significant upgrade in sound quality. No snake oil, my ears heard the differences, and they were improvements.

[@paulf.5261]

Love that album❤

[@FleagleSangria]

The LW1/LW1 is the one imo also Tim. I have the UHQR, DCC, KG, CB, Jacksonville and probably others. That is quite the find!

[@latheofheaven]

Do you feel on your system that the LW1/LW1 (in the deadwax I would assume) actually sounds better than the highly praised Chris Bellman? Is the difference enough do you think to go to the trouble and expense to seek it out? Thanks!

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks John - I haven’t really heard a bad pressing yet but this one just screams. I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for years and today was a good day.

[@jabensergei]

Long time ago had custome made interconnects for me by BJ, excellent service it was! I moved to pure silver and never looked back even since. My speakers cables are Supra Ply 3.4s, afforable Sweden made quality cables. Recently got EAR Phonobox. Next year new cart and phono cable. Thanks for sharing!

[@Universityofvinyl]

Sounds great, hear good things about EAR

[@Venus_Isle]

Glad you are happy with your upgrade, Tim. Cables / interconnects is probably the most controversial / touchy subject in audiophile discussions...

[@noblesavage23]

Cables make a difference imho. Love my Blue Jean LC-1 phono pre cables.

[@StanOrr-ge3sh]

Can I get a description or link for the banana pins you used on your amp?

[@Universityofvinyl]

www.amazon.com/dp/B0812BGXN8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

[@danielbigna5469]

Timely video Tim. I was just mucking around with some cables for my now considered 'vintage' Rotel RA 931 amp. You are right that one cable over another can make a difference. I found more detail but a slightly dryer sound with one set of cables and punchier sound and more accentuated bass with another. I try and avoid changing cables too often as my amp requires the exposed bit of the cable to be coiled around the port rather than inserted. A torture beyond belief!

[@Universityofvinyl]

Sounds excruciating but I’m sure the inconvenience melts away when you’re in your sweet spot relaxin’

[@ItsOnlyRockAndRollPODCAST]

@@Universityofvinyl Hey Tim. I've been looking for that VH promo for awhile and would love to make you an offer on it (either cash or trade). Let me know and thanks for all of the great content!!!

[@salmonline]

There are exactly the ones I bought about 2 years ago. Love them.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Good to hear - I’m incredibly pleased with these hence the video topic today. Happy Sunday!

[@robertendsley8312]

Speaker Wire albeit slight to moderate do make a difference. I Love the SVS UltraPath speaker cables and interconnects but on my KEF R3 Meta(s) went with AudioQuest Rocket 33 in which I Bi-Wire. Expensive. But worth every penny.

[@revelry1969]

You need the mofi dude…. Both of em! It will blow your mind

[@false_binary]

Excellent review professor, glad these have improved your listening experience. I am using Kimber Kable 8PR cables, 8 x 19.5awg per +/- leg; all of that throughput really helps cleanly deliver tons of power w/ my stack

[@Universityofvinyl]

Good stuff!

[@justinliborio6240]

Similar situation here. New cables might have been the best upgrade I’ve made. Heresy’s and Vintage McIntosh are singing. Now to find that Van Halen promo ❤

[@brunohebert1351]

I didn't use pin adapters for my McIntosh MAC4100, I used an adapter that's like a flexible braid instead. As it's flexible, it put less strain to the terminal (I think) with the weight of the cable. I don't know, we'll see how it goes. Blue Jeans are great affordable cables, and it's sad to hear they're struggling, hopefully, they'll make it. For my speaker cable I went the homemade route. Bought some Mogami W3103 (12AWG) and the sleeves, and connectors I thought it would be a fun little project. And it works and sounds well. I had change the terminals on my Boston Acoustics A150 so I could use the bananas plugs. Total cost was less than $60 for 2x 8' cables with the connectors and the adapters on the amplifier side. And it took me little time to build them. Overall, happy about my little project, it's really not difficult the one thing to be prepared for is the wire stripper, make sure you get one that can handle the gauge of the speaker wire.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Industrious! Thanks

[@photogcw]

I have Blue Jeans interconnects, not speaker cable. They're very durable though I didn't hear an improvement in sound over the Monsters they replaced. I had heard the company was financially struggling probably due to competition like Monoprice and Amazon.

[@sidesup8286]

As I recall, and I'm pretty knowledgeable, Blue Jeans cables are a re-badging of common cheap wire used in studios where they need long runs and exotic high performance cables would be too expensive; as they're priced by the foot. Re-badging doesn't mean that they don't do anything different with it; they probably do. How a cable is wound and the spacers and shielding they use inside can make a difference. The outer sheathing they use, if done right, can limit degrading skin effect. Don't doubt your ears, you probably did hear improvements. And there are many times that amount of improvement possible with more advanced and costlier cables. Not all expensive cables are worth it, but some truly are. I've done very comprehensive experiments with dozens of different brands and models of cables. Some make as much difference as a serious speaker upgrade. I may list which ones are the exceptional ones if I feel like going any further here, but it's such a nice sunny day outside.

[@sidesup8286]

Just a few quick recommendations. A really good cable brand out of Texas is iscalled Crimson Music Link. I don't hear anything that their cables do less than great. Really clear. They make RCA connector type cables and DIN/XLR. I have their 5 pin DIN and it is excellent. If the only thing you like better about your transistor amp versus your tube amp, is their treble extension fish up a pairused pair of Tributaries Series 9 interconnects. They are unique in that they have an incredibly extended high end; and being a few series back, are cheap on the used market. Stealth cables are excellent, but more expensive; much more.

[@Bootradr]

Where did you say you found the banana plug to 300 ohm adapters or connectors that went to your McIntosh vintage equipment and worked good? I was just looking for the same thing for the vintage McIntosh equipment I'm setting up and I've never really even thought about those connectors until recently. Thanks for any help.. Brian in Fort Worth 🎶

[@Universityofvinyl]

a.co/d/cyitXJJ

[@Bootradr]

@@Universityofvinyl Thanks Tim!

[@pinkrudy]

My experience with upgrades like speakers, amps, speaker cable, turntable mats, turntable platters, stylus. Imo, many of youre records might sound better but there will always be a few records that sounded better with the previous component. Like a certain record sounds great with a cork mat but when i upgraded to an acrylic mat than all my other records sound better. but that one record that sounded better with the cork mat doesnt sound quite as good anymore with the acrylic. Just my experience with upgrades things get better but also some things get worse. its endless tail chasing.

[@MODAC]

So the next obvious question is: when will you be getting a tube integrated amplifier? Perfect match with Cornwalls.

[@Universityofvinyl]

The only other upgrade I’m considering is new Crites crossovers in the Cornwalls. Happy with the power and specifically sought out the tube pre-amp to color the sound a bit.

[@aa5az423]

Hey Tim, it'll knock your socks off to upgrade your power cables. I know you think I'm crazy...that's okay. I know what I got LOL @MidFiMan

[@aa5az423]

And oh, btw, the MoFi of VH is amazing. I am looking a 33 rpm copy for more casual listening. My sister had the typical bookshelf speakers and sorry TT back in the late 80's and I remember just sitting there listening to that VH album. It was sort of my intro to records. Which one of those VH did you like the most?

[@Universityofvinyl]

Look for a Los Angeles pressing on the 1st palm tree label, if it’s a promo with the B&W inner, even better! I’m selling the Chris Bellman and all good now. Just tons of presence, drive, and imaging.

[@91pastor]

Tim, I still think you can't be getting the best sound from your Cornwalls, with the left one in a corner and the right one in open. No way can the sound be balanced! Just saying

[@Universityofvinyl]

Ugggh, you again! Just kidding :-). I’m very pleased with the sound but as this video demonstrates; I’m always open to tweaks.

[@91pastor]

@@Universityofvinyl Me again! Can you not move the speakers to a different location where the speakers will be space equally from side walls! There just has to be more bass coming from the left-hand speakers up against the wall! My suggestion won't cost you anything!

[@91pastor]

Also it proves I watch your videos 'despite' the speakers, ha!

[@sidesup8286]

He'll never hear anywhere near the potential of his speakers in that room. Although they'll still sound like a horn no matter what room he puts them in. A great speaker sounds like there is absolutely no hint that the sound is coming out of a box or drivers. At least Klipsch has a few things going for it, like dynamics and generous bass. But what magic when not only a speaker but a whole system can sonically disappear and totally step out of the way, so the music can reveal itself in all its glory! There is a channel on acoustics here on KZbin. Having speakers closer than 6 feet to a side wall or the wall behind the speakers, he says is ridiculous and it kills the sound. I agree. Some people don't have a big enough room though, to make that practical. I had a chat with Shun Mook who used to market a highly memorable line of high end audio accessories, and who now designs concert halls in Japan, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. And he said because of ignorance with acoustics, most audiophiles never come close to really hearing their systems and what they are capable of. Which also means they never really hear their favorite music and how it was really meant to sound.

[@lnielse1]

Due to a lack of evidence proving your claim -I remain skeptical of speaker cable "upgrades" ...However, If you like them, great! Rock on! Placebo Shmacebo

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Lots of "audiophiles" make lots of claims about what they're capable of hearing. But NONE of them have ever provided any evidence that they can do what they claim they can do. Don't TELL us that you can hear a difference SHOW us that you can. Talk is cheap If you can't SHOW it You don't KNOW it.

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

I get your point, and there are a plethora of snake oil salesmen in the audio industry, but how exactly does one SHOW what they HEAR?

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@TheAgeOfAnalog Have a think for 2 mins and you should be able to figure your question out, it's not that hard. If a bus was coming towards you and you couldn't see it, how could you demonstrate to a person near you that you could hear the bus?

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 you’re just being a putz. I asked a serious question, I’m not stupid. Obviously a simple double blind, repeatable test could yield actual answers, but if someone claims they can hear a difference, it’s impossible to know that they don’t. And this comes from a skeptic.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@TheAgeOfAnalog Why would it be impossible to know that they don't? If you claim you can hear a difference between a bus coming and the wind rustling the trees is it impossible to know that you don't? You can either demonstrate that you can hear a difference or you can't demonstrate it. I don't see how it's impossible to know that they don't hear a difference.

[@sidesup8286]

How annoying is that insect named user to people. People like him who can't hear differences in cables read like the Who's Who Of Who Can't Hear. I would hate to hear their home system. Maybe it's so bad that no cable or speaker could save it. If you argue with people like that long enough, they'll actually take it to "Prove We Really Exist." How annoying and who in the world has time for that? For those tuning in, they are not the smartest audiophiles. They usually can't afford esoteric stuff, so they get their kicks out of pretending we're all hearing things.That way, in their mind, their sound is as good as ours. That's their basic psychology; and psychology or psychiatry is really the only science they're associated with. Of course cables make a difference! The entire audio signal goes through them. You can easily lose 80% of your sound quality going through so so cables versus great cables. Not all expensive cables are great, but most are. The odds are in your favor. Measurements and blind trsting, blah blah, have their limitations. You can measure everything about a cake; except how good it tastes. Their bad logic and the pedestal they put measurements on, always runs into something that caves in.