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Is Audiquest still the best?

post #1 of 8
11/11/12 at 9:29am
Thread Starter 
I am picking up a new Marantz av7701 to replace my 14 year old av550. I have always outputted the audio via good audioquest cables but they are very old, almost 20 years. I have two questions:

1. I am outputting to warm Mosfet amps (Adcom): can anyone recommend a good RCAcable to use and do the old cables need to be replaced?

2. Although I will not be using them, of what benefit are the XLR outputs - is the sound that much better?

Thanks.
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post #2 of 8
11/11/12 at 9:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedcousens View Post

I am picking up a new Marantz av7701 to replace my 14 year old av550. I have always outputted the audio via good audioquest cables but they are very old, almost 20 years.

I won't hold that against you!
Quote:
I have two questions:

1. I am outputting to warm Mosfet amps (Adcom): can anyone recommend a good RCAcable to use and do the old cables need to be replaced?

I'm wondering which Adcom amps have MOSFET outputs, because I have the service manuals (schematic, parts list) for several of them and the outputs are Bipolar.

I've also done level-matched, time-synched, bias-controlled listening tests of them and also done bench tests. Long story short they are electrically flat, have low source impedances, and are sonically transparent, that is uncolored, neither warm nor cold.
Quote:
2. Although I will not be using them, of what benefit are the XLR outputs - is the sound that much better?

Power amps as a rule don't have XLR outputs. They may have XLR inputs.
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post #3 of 8
11/11/12 at 9:58am
Thread Starter 
HI Arnie,

Thanks for responding. Yes, it's been so long that I have forgotten how to speak audio. biggrin.gif Perhaps the Adcom amps are not mosfet, I am not really sure- I do know that they are considered AB: class A for 10 watts then B upon draw.

Of course the prepro has the output and the amps perhaps have the input. My question is: does utilization of xlr even on one end only, improve the quality of sound? If not, and I continue to use the rca outputs on the prepro, would I benefit by replacing the old audioquest cables I have or just keep the ones I have which are at least 15 years old. Thanks again. T
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post #4 of 8
11/11/12 at 10:02am
Quote:
does utilization of xlr even on one end only, improve the quality of sound?
Generally no, unless there's a clear problem with the alternative.
Quote:
would I benefit by replacing the old audioquest cables
No.
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post #5 of 8
11/11/12 at 11:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedcousens View Post

HI Arnie,

Thanks for responding. Yes, it's been so long that I have forgotten how to speak audio. biggrin.gif Perhaps the Adcom amps are not mosfet, I am not really sure- I do know that they are considered AB: class A for 10 watts then B upon draw.

Of course the prepro has the output and the amps perhaps have the input. My question is: does utilization of xlr even on one end only, improve the quality of sound?

Since there is then nothing to connect the terminal that would make the balanced output special to, it can't make a difference.
Quote:
If not, and I continue to use the rca outputs on the prepro, would I benefit by replacing the old audioquest cables I have or just keep the ones I have which are at least 15 years old. Thanks again. T

Cables rarely wear out in home applications because they are rarely messed with. I would sincerely hope that expensive cables would at least be technically competent enough to last as well as good commodity cables.

You have a big advantage on me - you can see and touch the cables. Are there crackling noises if you flex them while your audio system is turned on? Is there evidence of bad corrosion on the connectors? If the insulation on the cables stiffening or cracking?

If the Audioquest cables are at least as well made as a good commodity cable, then there would be no reason to replace it.

People tell me that cables made by Blue Jeans Cables are very well made and should last for life - if you have doubts about the AQ cables you might want to try them.
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post #6 of 8
11/11/12 at 11:35am
Thread Starter 
The AQ cables seem to be intact. The body of the cable is a little greasy but the connectors are fine. I will not worry about it for now.thanks again.
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post #7 of 8
11/11/12 at 4:38pm
I have several sets of AQ interconnects, and they're worth every penny I paid for them.





















(I got them for free.)
biggrin.gif
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post #8 of 8
11/11/12 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaveav View Post

I have several sets of AQ interconnects, and they're worth every penny I paid for them.
(I got them for free.)
biggrin.gif

Hey, that is a tremendous discount.biggrin.gif
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