AV cables

[RonB]

In an earlier thread I asked about a new av receiver - thanx to those who responded. I haven't bought one yet, but it will probable be soon. Anyway, I got sidetracked while looking. Saw some Monster av cables with monster prices . Are they worth it??? I remember reading a Consumer Reports article several years ago that said you don't need fancy wires for speakers . Does the same hold true for video cables? My current tv has composite connections. Would a Monster s-videop cable be noticeabbly better than a generic s-video cable. How about when we get an hdtv - would monster cables be better when I step up to component cables?
Thanx,
Ron

 

[Icarus]

Definitely buy decent cables. Definitely do NOT buy monster cables. They are completely overpriced and your local retailer (especially Circuit City) pushes them like crazy because they make so much money on them. CC even trains their sales people to believe they are the best cables in the world. They are ok (they have different quality cables within their own brand), but they are nowhere near the best. You can go nuts on cables if you want to with a single 1m s-video cable costing around $100. But don't because you aren't buying that kind of equipment with a $350 receiver. (I wouldn't anyway, but some people do.) I generally buy moderately priced cables at partsdirect.com Their in house brand (Dayton Audio, I think) is priced very well, and they are decent cables.

For speaker wire, any decent guage speaker wire will do. 14 guage should be good enough. You can with 12 guage if you really want to (lower number means thicker wire). I wouldn't go with anything less than 14 guage.

s-video will give a better picture than composite video cables.

You'll want at least component video cables when you go to hdtv, or even for use with a dvd player. But if your components have dvi or hdmi connectors, use them rather than component video cables.

-David

 

[RonB]

Thanx David,
So far the best price/reputation sourse for the HK avr is B&H photo.
Ron
PS: the guy I talked to at CC said that the Monster cables were good, but that I probably would not be able to see the difference between them and any decent cables. Of course, I had bought stuff from that guy before.
R

 

[Icarus]

They are decent cables (they have several quality levels, each with different names), but you can get the same quality for a fraction of the price. I'm encouraged by your CC's salesman response. (How did I know it was CC?)

B&H is a reputable store. But you have to pay shipping. Is it cheaper than amazon with their free shipping promo?

For speaker wire, I just buy a bulk spool (50 or 100 feet, etc) of decent 12 or 14 guage copper speaker wire, and buy connectors, if you want them, from parts express. You can use bare wire without connectors, but you should re-tighten the connectors every so often if you go that way. partsexpress has the speaker wire at decent prices, or you can spend more and get it at Home Depot or Lowes.

-David

 

[RonB]

David,
Thanx again,
Ron