hello again. just wondering what are some opinions of monster cables. specifically between the old XLN PRO and the 300 and 400 series. Since the PRO can be had on ebay for about 1/3 the price of the current 400 series RCA's.

dont buy monster cables, you are paying for the brand. Goto a local electronics shop and get very good cable, and GOLD connectors. Not gold plated, GOLD. As for wire look for pure copper, and if possible, oxygen free. Those will run you less than monster and be better quality. Thats just my $.02

I can get monster av cables for 5 bucks for 5 metres. Any monster cable for mad cheap.

I could be wrong, but if I remember correctly, gold is a pretty bad conductor. Even silver is better. The main reason the jacks are gold-plated is to prevent corrosion.

I have Monster Cable new series 12 gauge speaker wire. Twisted, fluxed, conductor wire, etc. Did not notice any difference when I switched out non-brand wires, but feeling pretty content with the upgrade. Piece of mind, I guess. Payed $13 for 25 feet, I think.

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Steg > good price at www.number1sound.com
CDT > good price through Ross on CCA

Monster is the same as any higher-end cable. It's tough to notice the difference unless you have a higher end system too. Scosche, ConnectionAudison are also good choices.

And you don't want pure gold ends. First, nobody makes them. Plated only or very very weak alloys. Gold is very conductive but is basically for looks and corrosion resistance. Second, if somebody did make them, they'd be a fortune. Third, even 18 carat gold ends would bend like nothing if you so much as looked at them funny.

I have the XLN pro, the surround is as thick as 4awg power wire, of course the inside is mostly empty. My gripe is that the rubber boot disconnests easily from the RCA end exposing the skinny wire making it easy to break.

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well they look good...if cheap enough, get them, they are usually very well made. As far as performance goes...see the 24 bit dac thread...they will sound as good as recoton cables if properly installed! The biggest advantage to higher end cables is a tough jacket and resistance to breaking.

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