Any recommendations internal speaker wire?

[GM]

FWIW: Timbre

GM

[LowOhms]

FWIW: Timbre

GM

Yeah!!................... Like when you cut down a tree !!

- - - Updated - - -

"There are TWO really great amps one can own, buy from a manufacturer in 2017, and be DONE with amplification. They are, in solid state, the Spectral DMA-200 and in Tube the Serious Stereo 2A3 DC amp. Both are close to $20K.

Comparisons done between a Carver and a Conrad Johnson are NOT of interest what so ever to me. I'd NEVER use either, or be happy with them. I want more fidelity than what they offer."

Jeff based on your quote above, you need to find a site that only has people that would spend $20K on the 2 amps that are the best in your mind. Many of us would never spend $20K on an amp (even those of us that could potentially afford it). We have Mac amp, Conrad Johnson and extremely high respected audio industry amps that we love and use to listen to music and enjoy immensely. Calling our equipment as not up to grade is immature and wrong. If your an superior audiophile then spread your word at the other sites. We've all heard it more than once and it's getting really really old. Repeating yourself does not make your unique statements any more valid.

As a side note, I did buy the wiring that you recommended and rewired my internal speaker wiring on my Altec Model 19's. Your wiring proposal made sense to me and I did it. I didn't notice any difference but still felt it was worth the try and glad I did it for the experience.

I truly love this website and respect all of the input and knowledge from almost all the folks that contribute here and hope that we can all get back to adding value about Altec speakers and components and enjoying our hobby.

Matt

Hi Matt,

Thanks for giving the internal re-wire a try. And thanks for reporting that up here, appreciated.

Couple of questions on implementation :

What precisely were you running for wire, from the output of the amplifier to your Model 19 crossovers, and about how long is that distance ? What amp??

Jeff

[BillWojo]

Yes Matt, Jeff wants to tell you that you did it all wrong and that's why it sounded the same. Actually for the few watts of power that we typically listen to, the stock Altec wiring is just fine. Even the high power PA amps don't use really heavy wire as there is no need to. They were designed by electrical engineers who know what they are doing.

Still waiting for your explanation on wiring parallel resisters Jeff.

BillWojo

[mattvandyke]

"Thanks for giving the internal re-wire a try. And thanks for reporting that up here, appreciated.

Couple of questions on implementation :
"
What precisely were you running for wire, from the output of the amplifier to your Model 19 crossovers, and about how long is that distance ? What amp??"

I'm running Macintosh MC60's completely redone a couple of years ago. I also have a Mac 2205, Fisher 800C (completely redone) and some Marantz equipment. Wire from amps directly to speakers are 57 and 1/8 inch x2 ft and I'm using Monster wire 12 gauge. My speakers are wired for BI-AMP (I did the z19 crossovers and actually built the M19 from scratch - Altec 416B's and 802-G) but I'm not Bi-Amping my speakers. I've tried many different wire from Amps to speakers and never heard a difference. Got my ears checked out a while ago and for a 55 year old doing very good on the frequency responses.

Everyone that's listen to my systems states it's the best that they've heard (40+ people) and I'm pretty happy with what I have. I know that I could tweak it more and will in the future but would rather listen to music in my dedicated music room.

And yes, Jeff I know what you'll say about the speaker wire from the AMP to the speakers and since it's not a major cost may potentially do that in the future - but not a high priority now.

Matt

[LowOhms]

Yes Matt, Jeff wants to tell you that you did it all wrong and that's why it sounded the same. Actually for the few watts of power that we typically listen to, the stock Altec wiring is just fine. Even the high power PA amps don't use really heavy wire as there is no need to. They were designed by electrical engineers who know what they are doing.

Still waiting for your explanation on wiring parallel resisters Jeff.

BillWojo

You should be ashamed of yourself, acting as you do.

Jeff Medwin

[Elitopus1]

"Thanks for giving the internal re-wire a try. And thanks for reporting that up here, appreciated.

Couple of questions on implementation :
"
What precisely were you running for wire, from the output of the amplifier to your Model 19 crossovers, and about how long is that distance ? What amp??"

I'm running Macintosh MC60's completely redone a couple of years ago. I also have a Mac 2205, Fisher 800C (completely redone) and some Marantz equipment. Wire from amps directly to speakers are 57 and 1/8 inch x2 ft and I'm using Monster wire 12 gauge. My speakers are wired for BI-AMP (I did the z19 crossovers and actually built the M19 from scratch - Altec 416B's and 802-G) but I'm not Bi-Amping my speakers. I've tried many different wire from Amps to speakers and never heard a difference. Got my ears checked out a while ago and for a 55 year old doing very good on the frequency responses.

Everyone that's listen to my systems states it's the best that they've heard (40+ people) and I'm pretty happy with what I have. I know that I could tweak it more and will in the future but would rather listen to music in my dedicated music room.

And yes, Jeff I know what you'll say about the speaker wire from the AMP to the speakers and since it's not a major cost may potentially do that in the future - but not a high priority now.

Matt

Sounds like you have a pretty nice setup! I bet it sounds great.

Which amp (or receiver) do you prefer?

[LowOhms]

"Thanks for giving the internal re-wire a try. And thanks for reporting that up here, appreciated.

Couple of questions on implementation :
"
What precisely were you running for wire, from the output of the amplifier to your Model 19 crossovers, and about how long is that distance ? What amp??"

I'm running Macintosh MC60's completely redone a couple of years ago. I also have a Mac 2205, Fisher 800C (completely redone) and some Marantz equipment. Wire from amps directly to speakers are 57 and 1/8 inch x2 ft and I'm using Monster wire 12 gauge. My speakers are wired for BI-AMP (I did the z19 crossovers and actually built the M19 from scratch - Altec 416B's and 802-G) but I'm not Bi-Amping my speakers. I've tried many different wire from Amps to speakers and never heard a difference. Got my ears checked out a while ago and for a 55 year old doing very good on the frequency responses.

Everyone that's listen to my systems states it's the best that they've heard (40+ people) and I'm pretty happy with what I have. I know that I could tweak it more and will in the future but would rather listen to music in my dedicated music room.

And yes, Jeff I know what you'll say about the speaker wire from the AMP to the speakers and since it's not a major cost may potentially do that in the future - but not a high priority now.

Matt

Hi Matt,

Thanks for you nice, detailed response, and, compared to some, your even - handedness. What a relief for me to read.

Yes, I would say, a chain is a strong as its weakest link, and somehow we need to optimize that amp-to-crossover run.

I LOVED reading your report of what you and others ( 40 !! ) say about your system. Way cool.

I also do " two" Fulton lengths of speaker wire, amp to crossover ( 114 1/4 inches ) like so : I use THREE 12 AWG M22759/11 12s, drill twisted together, for each polarity, and I like it when the polarities don't touch. Never use " banana plugs" as they are always a large degrade in obtaining a linear transfer function.

Cardas Silver Rhodium binding posts are my favorite, the short ones for amplifiers, available from Percy. My favorite sounding spade lug is an XLO, but they are sadly NLA.

Lets stay in contact, I appreciate it, when people strive to do a great hi fi.

The McIntosh 60s need two changes from stock : (1) The rectifier needs to use the stock choke, as a CHOKE input, and NOT a capacitor input and, (2) one complete tube stage needs to be eliminated. It goes from nice to " really cooking " with those two changes.

I can introduce you to a fellow who is either the one to ask and / or go to on this, and he can possibly even do it for you, if needed.

Stay in touch, send me a private email sometime Matt.


Jeff

[mattvandyke]

Sounds like you have a pretty nice setup! I bet it sounds great.

Which amp (or receiver) do you prefer?

I like the MC60's the best. They sound awesome and I've enjoyed them for years. The Fisher is almost as good. Actually a little more low base but still not as neutral as the MC60's. I love the detail they provide and after a lot of listening with the MAC's- I enjoy them the most.

Thanks
Matt

[mah]

Complex sound waves can be both measured and analysed. It is an old wives(audiophooles) tale that they cannot be.

An Interactive Guide To The Fourier Transform – BetterExplained

[GM]

I like the MC60's the best. They sound awesome and I've enjoyed them for years. The Fisher is almost as good. Actually a little more low base but still not as neutral as the MC60's. I love the detail they provide and after a lot of listening with the MAC's- I enjoy them the most.

Thanks
Matt

Interesting, I found them 'dark' [for lack of a better word] driving 515B loaded compression loaded 210 horns [no reflex box], 805/288. With the few tubes I auditioned, MC275 ruled!

GM