more speaker cable ideas sought

I think its really tiome i sorted some decent cable.
A while back i swapped out FFRC for 2.5 T&E, so as you can see ive not got exactly decent cable.
Ill probably have to save as it seems most decent cable now costs your first born.

So basicaly i want some ideas so as i can work out what i need to save, also places i can get SOR or demo cable would be helpfull, ive drawn a blank on helpfull shops in Bristol

In my lil mind at the moment is Isolda, Goertz and.................??

Kit -
Dynaudio contour 1.1
Jupiter 2000CDp
Shearne phase 2 amp
A TT id rather not talk about!

All donations gratefully recieved, Thank You

 

So what is that you did not like about the FFRC?
How did it compare with other cables?

There is the more advanced version of the FFRC now; the TripleT.
Uses 6 UTP cables per channel and there are 8 termination options to match it your system.

Good quality materials and careful construction is important as with any DIY project.

 

I like the Ubyte 2 using cross connected coax, or you could do my enamelled copper wire thingy onthe DIY, a little less top end than the FFRC but more of everything else.

 

Try some Townshend Isolda DCT on trial. Once you've had it a week, try and find something that will get within a country mile of it for performance and buy that. I have a feeling though that the Isolda would probably stay given your current kit, and after the months "buy or return" is up , you may not be able to live without it, especially once you've tried some of the cheaper ones. If it's only shortish lengths you need, then the investment is worthwhile IMHO.

Personally I'm not a fan of FFRC. Many cables better it for me , even ones I've just had lying around. The system will certainly respond to something more capable.

Cheers

 

FFRC has its place.

But that system isn't it. I'd say that system is well beyond the realms of DIY cabling, since you're talking about £3000 or so of components.

Hope you have some decent mains kit too...

 

Apart from the prices and DIY, do you have any rational or Comments based on technical facts?

If you actually made an FFRC cable, which UTP cable did you use?
It will be printed on the jacket.

Were the cables it just twisted or platted?

 

Penance, can you give us an indication of what you want from your cable and how much you wish to spend.
I have tried/made the U-Bytre it is better than the FFRC (which isn't difficult), more forward and detailed, and generaly not too shabby, that may be worth a go mate.
Else maybe some used Kimber 8 TC or X-Tube 400. WM

 

penance - I've got some Dynaudio OCOS cables (3m pair) lying around which I could sell to you for a reasonable price (I believe there's a for sale post about it in the Buy/Sell forum).

IMO it gives Isolda a decent run for it's money and when I took it to the bake off at Dino's most people were pretty impressed with it. Always goes very well with Dynaudio speakers (I have Contour 1.3MkIIs)

PM me if you're interested. I'm in London from Tuesday onwards so I can bring them with me.

Michael.

 

Bluemax - I've produced around 160m of completed FFRC to date, if not a little more. The large majority was produced using Belden 1583ENH, with the earliest sets being made with Maplin VB20W. I've tested my own set against other cables, as well as other sets I've produced at a bake-off. FFRC is a competitive budget cable but nothing more than that. I still make it and I still sell it because I still believe it is a viable budget cable, but you only need to spend £5/m to match it (Ortofon SPK200), and certainly I'd be expecting to spend rather more than £5/m on speaker cable if I had £3000 worth of boxes. I still use FFRC in my own system, but that may soon be on its way.

 

Issac, Many thanks for that reply. I also used Belden 1583ENH. Something of a bargain at the moment. RS Stock No.419-5461 £22.26 + VAT for 100m.

Have you tried the TripleT that uses 6 UTP cables per run in Kimber style weave? Is it any better than the FFRC? How does it compare with Ortofon SPK200, QED X-Tube or some other cables you have auditioned? Thanks.

Penance, sorry to be slighly off-topic in your thread.

 

Bluemax - you have PM, so penance can have his thread back.

 

just back from a nights camping in cider country:crazy:

Ill try and answer all questions

First, FFRC - it was OK for a while, but with the Dynaudio's being added to the system it fell pitifully short. I dont have any thing against FFRC as for the price it is a competant DIY cable, but as said - not in my system.
I also thought about the cross conected coax but i do think that i need to spend a decent amount to do justice to my kit.
I am tempted to build some, but im also starting to think DIY cable isnt going to help and i be better watching the pennies

michaelab - id love to grab the offer but alas i need 5 meter runs


WM, im after more clarity and as big a sound stage i can get. I seem to be becoming a detail freak since my last upgrades. Nice chunky well defined base and not brash at the higher end.
I just think my system is now being stiffled by the use of 2.5 T&E for speakers - although i found it better than FFRC imo.
As for cost, as little as possible. I know ill have to save a while so im just wanting to know a ball park to help me along.

 

Penance, thank you for your comments on the FFRC.

Coax based DIY cables are fine on paper but building them is a pain.
The Cu shield becomes weak after the braiding that supports it is removed. Gets easily broken; as many at TNT forum has found out. In desperation, some resorted to soldering the broken bits! Not a good solution. Also, air tends to get trapped under the heatshrink and that leads to severe corrosion and deterioration of sound after a few months.

The new QED X-Tube series seem good. I have yet to listen it.

PS
Hope you enjoyed the rough cider in Somerset.
Brings back some memories from my student days.

 

Penance,

I would go with some s/h cable. Either Kimber 8TC which comes upon hififorsale now and again or possibly Michaels dynaudio stuff, although IMO the kimber is a lot better.

Cheers Robbo

 

Your not wrong about the difficulties in constructing the coax base cables, I still have nightmares thinking about it !

That's why I went for the multiple twisted pairs, with a braided finish.

Oh yes and for cost £4.99 for the materials from maplin.