Monster Cable vs. Radio Shack

[Deadman31]

Now that i finally have my DD working, I was wondering if I should use the Radio Shack GS Digital audio cable or Monster audio cable. Any advice?

[X]

Radio Shack. Either cable will pass the digital signals just fine. Make sure you get the RS single gold video/audio cable though. You want 75 ohm cable, but don't ask them for it, they won't know what you're talking about.

[electronix_kid]

Just get a Shielded Composite cable...

Check out my signature.

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I'm tired of answering the same ol' "Coax Vs. Optical" Threads over and over...

Bits are Bits...

http://pmusic.bizland.com/digianim.gif

[This message has been edited by electronix_kid (edited December 31, 2000).]

[DVD_O_Rama]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by electronix_kid:
Just get a Shielded Composite cable...

Check out my signature.

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So does this mean that every cable manufacturer(Tara Labs, Transparent Audio, Kimber Kable, etc) is ripping off consumers by charging high prices for what can be achieved with a 'regular' RCA cable?



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DVD Reviews..with an attitude

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[M i c h a e l]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DVD_O_Rama:
So does this mean that every cable manufacturer(Tara Labs, Transparent Audio, Kimber Kable, etc) is ripping off consumers by charging high prices for what can be achieved with a 'regular' RCA cable?
</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


I disagree with the sig, it's going a bit too
far.

I dunno know about 'regular' cables, but
past a well-made cable (say, a $20 Monster
flavor), you're wasting money.

Tara Labs, et al, are laughing all the way
to the bank, when blind tests clearly indicate
listeners can hear no difference between a
well-made cable, and a $500 'super cable'.

Wait, does this mean that cable manufacturers
are marketing mythical sonic advantages
to anxious audiophiles clamoring for that
Sonic Nirvana, just to make money? Why, that
would be impossible! ;-)



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[BEC]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by electronix_kid:
I'm tired of answering the same ol' "Coax Vs. Optical" Threads over and over... </font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why answer, if it tires you so? http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif


Deadman31,

Opinions have always been deeply divided on this matter in this fourm and in others.

Most cables are returnable (check).
If you're inclined to tinker or experiment, it's probably worth trying a A/B comparison (at least once) for yourself on your system.

[chess]

after reading that coat hanger experiment, i decided to substitute the crappiest, most decrepit old rca cable i could find for my optical cable.

sounds identical to me.

but i don't have a golden ear either. shrug.

anyway, suffice it to say that my CD player got an upgrade from analog. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

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"Come the millennium, month 12, In the home of greatest power, The village idiot will come forth, To be acclaimed the leader." -Nostradamus, 1555

[DVD_O_Rama]

While this debate will never end, it is kind of fun (to my warped mind, anyway) to read everyone's varied opinions on the matter. While I do think there is a line to be drawn on the cable cost issue, it can't be ignored that the most expensive cables in the world cables can't make a crappy set-up sound any better. If your equipment isn't audiophile quality, I doubt very highly you could see an improvement in this area, regardless of amount spent on cables.
That's why I always laugh when I see posts (not only on this forum, but many of the others I frequent as well) by people who have a $500 HTB set-up, and can't figure out why those expensive Monster cables didn't sound any better then the ones that came with the kit. If you don't want to pony up for high-end equipment, stay away from the high-end (or not so high-end for that matter) cables, because it's not going to make any difference.

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DVD Reviews..with an attitude

Miami Dolphins: AFC Champs 2000.

[Taco]

Go read the audioreview.com Techtalk forums. They have one just on cables & interconnects. Same arguments, but more of them!

Also, you can try some of the DIY projects for cables from there. I made a set of speaker cables from braided CAT5 cores and they sound great. Now thinking of doing some Belden coax cable IC's.

[WOWZY]

I personally buy only Monster cable because of it's fine stranded flexibility. I'm sure the Radio-Shack cables are just as good. In fact, I thought that their new line of cables looked just like the Monster brand.

[SirPablo]

I COMPLETLY and TOTALLY agree with DVD-O-RAMA's statement.

[M i c h a e l]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DVD_O_Rama:
If you don't want to pony up for high-end equipment, stay away from the high-end (or not so high-end for that matter) cables, because it's not going to make any difference.
</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Dunno what constitutes 'high-end', but I've
got over $20K worth of gear wired with $1/foot
Monster. Not because I like Monster necessarily,
but because it's good quality and relatively
cheap (economies of scale, and good quality
control).

I've got a few Tara Labs cables, too (they were on
sale), and there's no audible difference.

I find Radio Shack to be similarly-priced, but
lower in quality (connectors not soldered as cleanly).

Of course, YMMV. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif

[DVD_O_Rama]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by M i c h a e l:

Dunno what constitutes 'high-end', but I've
got over $20K worth of gear wired with $1/foot
Monster. Not because I like Monster necessarily,
but because it's good quality and relatively
cheap (economies of scale, and good quality
control).

I've got a few Tara Labs cables, too (they were on
sale), and there's no audible difference.

I find Radio Shack to be similarly-priced, but
lower in quality (connectors not soldered as cleanly).

Of course, YMMV. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
High-end is indeeed a matter of opinion. $20,000 may seem outrageous to some, while others have more than that in amplification alone.
I've used Monster Cable for wiring my speakers ever since I got into HT, from the very first el-cheapo speakers I bought years ago, to the Dunlavys I got a few days ago (thanks, Santa) and I'll keep using it as long as I'm in the A/V hobby.
While I can't see spending $15,000 on speaker cable like some have, I do think you get what you pay for. Of course, YMMV, too http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif.

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DVD Reviews..with an attitude

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[WOWZY]

The Cardas cables are outrageously priced!

www.hififarm.com/cardasgoldrefspkr.htm (http://www.hififarm.com/cardasgoldrefspkr.htm)