Author Topic: Lava Cable (Read 405 times)

bigredbass · « **Reply #15 on:** September 22, 2006, 12:35:27 AM »

Can I hear the difference between my MONSTER Bass and 'regular' cables? Yes. Does that difference translate on a buzzsaw loud stage with other instruments for me? Yes. Can I hear the difference between Monster, Cardas, Evidence, in other words, the difference between a bag of assorted $100-$200 cables? I don't know yet. Would I hear the differnce in a $1000 cable? Geez, I'd hope so! Where's the line between wonderfully esoteric and impractical for me? Any dollar figure past what a MONSTER Bass cable runs me.

J o e y

kmh364 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 22, 2006, 05:50:23 AM »

The Law Of Diminishing Returns appears yet again! Buy the best-sounding cables you can comfortably afford. There will always be better in most cases, but at a much greater cost.

FWIW, I've found Monster to be microphonic, but it's hard to beat their exchange policy.

Buy whatever you like and make great music with it.

Enjoy!

Kevin

adriaan · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2006, 07:59:42 AM »

In audio, the best way is usually to start with the most highly regarded (and usually the priciest) components, then move on to the more affordable ones. If you can't hear the difference, switch back up again. If there's still no difference to your ears, then A/B the more affordable component with a cheaper one - etc. etc.

Nice to hear Van den Hul mentioned - he made a name for himself cutting diamonds for grammophone needles in kind of an oval shape. His cables must be of the pure copper, long filament type - he was one of the pioneers of that as well.

bsee · « **Reply #18 on:** September 22, 2006, 02:36:06 PM »

Adriaan, I would agree. The problem is how to accomplish that testing in a mail-order world. I might be willing to pay $20 or so in shipping and put down a $500-1000 security deposit to get my hands on a set of high-end demo cables for a week or two. I know that I wouldn't pay more than typical Monster Cable prices site unseen for any custom cable. I would pay more, though I can't say exactly how much, if I could actually not only hear a difference but also determine that it was a meaningful improvement. At $200 or more per cable, it would have to be a truely enlightening test experience. Something like what you feel and hear when you put down a Peavey Cirrus and pick up a Europa.

kmh364 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2006, 04:43:55 AM »

FWIW, there are quite a few Audio Hi-End dealers that do just that...Stereophile magazine is full of 'em. Unfortunately, interconnects have RCA's or XLR's and speaker cables are (when terminated) equipped with either lugs (spades), bananas, or pins, not 1/4 phone plugs or SpeakOns. Obviously, this is useless to a guitarist/bassist. When you're talking cables that cost as much as a bike, an in-home no-obligation demo is certainly de rigeur.

I'm wondering if Lava could do just that....sort of a put your money where your mouth is demo deal. Considering he's a one man shop, that's probably undooable.

It's hard to convince audiophiles to spend big-bucks on cables, nevermind musicians.

811952 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 28, 2006, 06:17:35 AM »

If you really want more bang for your cable buck, buying the components and assembling them yourself is THE way to go. For pennies on the dollar (or the cost of really cheap cables from GC) you can have custom cables done exactly how you like and with connectors soldered on by a human being (with a vested interest in quality) instead of a machine. I don't think you can go wrong with Belden for mic/instrument/line level cables, Monster for speaker cables and either Switchcraft or Neutrik connectors (Speakons for speakers). Those are the staples of the broadcasting industry and designed for longevity under less than optimal conditions. Those few of you who really can hear the differences between one well-constructed high-quality cable and another in a performing situation impress the hell out of me (and I know you're out there). Most folks, though, are instead hearing quality-control issues with the connectors (bad solder joints, frayed conductors, pulled and twisted ends) with otherwise good components. Nearly all of my cables are hand-constructed out of high-quality components. As for warranty, if the connector gets ripped off I can fix it when I get home in a few minutes. I've never had a cable fail anywhere other than at the connector, and I do take care of them.

Joey - I might be in Nashville this weekend. If you're going to be around I might have a chance to drop you a line. Could I con you into emailing me your contact info?

John