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I'm not one to spend big on cables but occasionally I'll try things out if the price is right, ie a bargain. Cleaning out the spare room recently I came across these cables I bought several years ago from ebay US. They're XLO VDO speaker cables with some funky looking braiding going on. I also have some XLO Reference interconnects and they too have a spiraled construction wrapped around a flexible hollow tube. I use the interconnects in my system and I'll get around to trying out the speaker cables again but is there any reason why the braided design would be beneficial to sound quality in these designs? Is there a actually a difference in performance between "HT" cables and "hifi" ones? Or is all this along with the THX branding more likely a case of the marketing department having their say? It's a manic time of year so thanks in advance if you find time to reply. Cheers, Leg11 ps. I noticed one of the cables has a tiny scuff mark exposing the wire. My guess is probably from being dragged across amp cooling fins. Any suggestions on repair? A dab of hot glue?

Hi every one, what I'm doing is replacing the Interconnects between my Prima Luna Valve Intergrated amp and Marantz CD 80,Currently using Monster Cable,which were cheap and have no model number.Budget is $300 and needs to be 1m long. Would concider secondhand. Suggestions please, Cheers, Bugs

Item: Nordost Blue Heaven USB (3M) Location: Canberra Price: $230 $185 + Postage Item Condition: Very Good Reason for selling: Too long for my current system. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. Extra Info: There is something of a debate about whether USB cables make a difference to the sound of a system or not. I've personally found that they do, but that the difference is smaller than the difference you get from changing other cables. In my system the Nordost gave more precise leading edges and a little extra air. Probably not worth it (In my system) for the $460 RRP I paid for this cable, but good value at the above price. I'm only moving this along because I need a different length now. Original packaging included. Pictures:

Item: QED Reference Audio Evolution Interconnects (1M pair) Location: Canberra Price: $110 + Postage Item Condition: Very Good Reason for selling: No longer needed, have moved to XLR. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. Extra Info: I've been a fan of QED interconnects for quite a while. They do a lot right and very little wrong for a realistic amount of money. Build quality is very good, and value is excellent. The QED Reference Audio Evolution is probably the best value interconnect in QED's range, providing most of the performance of their top offering for less than half the price. Shielding is very good, so these are excellent in systems where power cables cannot be kept away from signal cables, or where switch mode power supplies are used. RRP in Australia is $249. Original packaging included. Review here: http://www.techradar...n-929601/review Pictures:

Item: Aurealis R2 CuT Interconnects. RCA, 0.75m pair Location: Sydney Price : $50 + shipping Item Condition: Mint Barely Used Reason for selling: Too many cables Payment Method: Cash, Bank transfer These have Eichmann RCAs. Made with Neotech 7N (99.99999% purity with continuous crystals) copper.

Item: Black Cat Morpheus! RCA (Pair) Location: Sydney Price : $110 + shipping Item Condition: Mint Barely Used Reason for selling: Too many cables Payment Method: Cash, Bank transfer Great Interconnects. Plenty of info online.

Further Information: Selling the latest version of Atlas top of the range OCC xlr cables which has replaced the Mavros as the best copper interconnect Atlas make. RRP $4900 for 1 meter pair. Arran OCC XLR Arran OCC XLR is a high-resolution OCC copper interconnect cable building on ideas initially developed for our acclaimed Mavros & Asimi ranges. A technically and sonically superior wide-bandwidth interconnect designed to maximise the performance of the very finest audio systems which offer the increasingly popular option of XLR connection. Arran OCC XLR incorporates our precision dd (dual-drain) system. The Arran OCC XLR features the highest quality ‘6N’ (99.99997% purity) elongated crystal copper manufactured using the OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) process. The cable utilises a pair of conductors, each made up of six solid OCC strands surrounding a seventh central wire, tension wrapped in a multi-layer microporous Teflon dielectric. A sophisticated ‘dd’ (dual-drain) screen configuration with a copper shielding braid ensures minimal RF interference and noise susceptibility. Termination is with our cold-weld aluminium alloy ‘dark Chrome’ XLR connectors, here with silver-plated OCC copper pins. In a cold-weld (solder-free) connection, the metal of the connector plug and the wire are squeezed together under a calibrated pressure to form a robust, consistent, air-tight metal to metal contact with no deformation of the cable dielectric. The result is a smooth, uninterrupted signal path which behaves as one continuous entity.

Further Information: ARRAN OCC XLR (3PIN) COPPER INTERCONNECT CABLE Arran OCC XLR is a high-resolution OCC copper interconnect cable building on ideas initially developed for our acclaimed Mavros & Asimi ranges. A technically and sonically superior wide-bandwidth interconnect designed to maximise the performance of the very finest audio systems which offer the increasingly popular option of XLR connection. Arran OCC XLR incorporates our precision dd (dual-drain) system. The Arran OCC XLR features the highest quality ‘6N’ (99.99997% purity) elongated crystal copper manufactured using the OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) process. The cable utilises a pair of conductors, each made up of six solid OCC strands surrounding a seventh central wire, tension wrapped in a multi-layer microporous Teflon dielectric. A sophisticated ‘dd’ (dual-drain) screen configuration with a copper shielding braid ensures minimal RF interference and noise susceptibility. Termination is with our cold-weld aluminium alloy ‘dark Chrome’ XLR connectors, here with silver-plated OCC copper pins. In a cold-weld (solder-free) connection, the metal of the connector plug and the wire are squeezed together under a calibrated pressure to form a robust, consistent, air-tight metal to metal contact with no deformation of the cable dielectric. The result is a smooth, uninterrupted signal path which behaves as one continuous entity. SPECIFICATIONS Connector Type: Atlas dark chrome XLR Conductor Material: OCC Copper Dielectric Material: PTFE (microporous Teflon) Construction: 4-core + screen dual-drain. Screen: Braid + Mylar™, 100% Capacitance: 133.98 pF/m Inductance: 0.332 μH/m Resistance: 0.0197 Ohms/m Outside Diameter: 9.8mm

Item: AudioQuest Sky 1m XLR 72v Interconnects (1 Pair) Location: Adelaide (Will post interstate in original packaging at buyers cost) Price: $900 Item Condition: Excellent condition Reason for selling: Spare pair (I have three other pairs currently in my system) Payment Method: Pickup - EFT, Paypal (buyer to cover PayPal fees) Extra Info: Purchased from authorised AudioQuest dealer. Genuine AudioQuest Sky cables. Made a dramatic difference in my system in terms of superior transparency and tighter bass. Legendary reputation! Pictures: See below

Item: Various Cables - Power, Interconnects, Speaker, Digital, USB Location: Canberra Price: Priced Individually, see below. Item Condition: Various, see below. Reason for selling: No longer needed. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit _______________________________________________________ Item: QED Signature Audio S Interconnects (1M pair) -------------NOW SOLD Location: Canberra -------------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Price: $300 Price Drop $240 + Postage -------------------------------NOW SOLD Item Condition: Very Good ----------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Reason for selling: No longer needed, have moved to XLR. -----NOW SOLD Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. ---------NOW SOLD Extra Info: To mind mind these are some of the best value cables around. They sit at a price point where you are getting 90% of the performance of the very top-tier cables without getting close to the top-tier prices. These are the top cable that QED produce and have a good balance of detail and tonal richness. They are also very well shielded so work well in electrically noisy environments. RRP in Australia is around $600, but you can get them for $500 if you shop around. Original packaging included. Review here: http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-accessories/qed-signature-audio-s-606234/review _______________________________________________________ Item: QED Reference Audio Evolution Interconnects (1M pair) Location: Canberra Price: $110 Price Drop $90 + Postage Item Condition: Very Good Reason for selling: No longer needed, have moved to XLR. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. Extra Info: While not quite at the level of the above QED Signature cables, they offer the same sort of sound (in a slightly lesser degree) for a lesser amount of dosh. They don't quite have the tonal richness of the Signature cables but are still excellent at their price point. Shielding is again very good, though not quite to the level of the Signatures. RRP in Australia is $249. Original packaging included. Review here: http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-accessories/qed-reference-audio-evolution-929601/review _______________________________________________________ Item: QED Signature Digital (1M) ---------------------------------------NOW SOLD Location: Canberra -------------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Price: $100 + Postage ----------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Item Condition: Very Good ---------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Reason for selling: No longer needed, have moved to AES. ---NOW SOLD Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. -------NOW SOLD Extra Info: This is my pick of the under $500 digital cables. The cable that is closest to, sound-wise, is the Wireworld Starlight, but the QED offers more air and detail, as well as a more propulsive bass. This is QED's top digital cable, and while you can do better (Nordost Silver Shadow and above, Wireworld Silver Starlight and above in particular) you have to spend a great deal more to do it. RRP. was $199 (possibly $249) from memory. Original packaging included. _______________________________________________________ Item: Wyred 4 Sound P1 Ultra power cable (1m) --------------------NOW SOLD Location: Canberra ------------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Price: $80 + Postage -----------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Item Condition: Very Good ---------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Reason for selling: No longer needed, spare. ---------------------NOW SOLD Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. -------NOW SOLD Extra Info: A good no-nonsense after market power cable with excellent build and good shielding. RRP in Australia is $140. Note that the plug is for the US so you will need either a power console that accepts US plugs, or an adaptor. I use three more of these in my system, but I don't need a fourth any longer. _______________________________________________________ Item: QED Qunex OT (1m) --------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Location: Canberra ----------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Price: $30 + Postage --------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Item Condition: Good ------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Reason for selling: Prefer a copper connection. ---------------NOW SOLD Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. ----NOW SOLD Extra Info: I'm not a fan of optical digital, but if you are a "digital is digital" kind of person, or need extreme electrical isolation, or don't have an option about the connection you use, then this might work for you. Originally purchased for $129, I believe you can now get something similar new (from QED) for about $59. Original packaging included. _______________________________________________________ Item: Nordost Blue Heaven USB (3M) Location: Canberra Price: $260 Price Drop $230 + Postage Item Condition: Very Good Reason for selling: Too long for my current system. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. Extra Info: There is something of a debate about whether USB cables make a difference to the sound of a system or not. I've personally found that they do, but that the difference is smaller than the difference you get from changing other cables. In my system the Nordost gave more precise leading edges and a little extra air. Probably not worth it (In my system) for the $460 RRP I paid for this cable, but good value at the above price. I'm only moving this along because I need a different length now. Original packaging included. _______________________________________________________ Item: QED Qunex 1 Interconnects (1M Pair) -------------------NOW SOLD Location: Canberra -------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Price: $25 + Postage -----------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Item Condition: Good ---------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Reason for selling: No longer used. ---------------------------NOW SOLD Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. -NOW SOLD Extra Info: For those who don't believe cables make a difference but want a well put together pair of cables that are not going to fail. This is QED's entry level cable (actually it's been replaced and is better than their current entry level cables). Was $69 when new. _______________________________________________________ Item: Van den Hul "The Source" interconnects (0.75M approx pair) -------NOW SOLD Location: Canberra -----------------------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Price: Make an offer ----------------------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Item Condition: A bit rough. ------------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Reason for selling: No longer used. --------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. ------------------NOW SOLD Extra Info: I've had these for a long time, and they have been sitting in a box of spares for the last couple of years. I bought them second hand and haven't a clue what they are worth these days. Make me an offer (but don't rip me off please). EDIT: I just found a pair of these online. RRP was £110 when new, which is about $190 today and would have been more at the time. _______________________________________________________ Item: Van den Hul D352 Hybrid Speaker Cables (1M pair). ----NOW SOLD Location: Canberra ----------------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Price: $40.00 + Postage. ----------------------------------------------NOW SOLD Item Condition: Good (free dust included) ------------------------NOW SOLD Reason for selling: Too short for current system. ---------------NOW SOLD Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, Direct Deposit. -----NOW SOLD Extra Info: These are an extremely musical set of cables. Enough detail, but also a wonderfully liquid midrange, and a bottom end that goes deep. I used these with a pair of mono-blocks, but they are too short for my current system. Would be good with mono-blocks, as patch leads from wall plates, or for a desktop system. Purchased for $60/m. I believe they are a silver/carbon hybrid.

Item: Nordost Heimdall XLR Interconnects 0.6m Location: Canberra, ACT Price: $295 ono (includes postage anywhere in Australia) Item Condition: Excellent Reason for selling: Not long enough now Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Awesome sounding interconnects. Only selling these as my recently built DIY HiFi rack has caused a re-organising of components and now this 0.6m is not long enough. Thus this pair needs to go to a good home and help fund purchase of new 1.0m+ pair. This is the Mark I version of this cable. Some fading on the Nordost/Heimdall font on the cable binding near connectors but otherwise in excellent condition and perfect working order. Pictures: