Online Hi Fi dealers

nicknack35

nicknack35

nicknack35

Associate
Joined
5 Apr 2014
Posts
1,476
Right here goes after the recent discussion on cables. I decided to give an online Hi Fi specialist a call that only mainly deals in cables. And the discussion started with set up exc. So after telling him what cables I had and where I got them from. Considering that they call themselfs top end specialists in cables. And told him what cables I had nikkia from maplin he said he had never heard of that brand of cable. And after telling him there was from maplin. He then said maplin only make basic cable lolol. How would he know if he has not heard of nikkia?. After telling him what set up I had he then tried selling me the QED optical cable and the audioquest usb cable. And after 2 mins of that convo he said would you like to purchase. Big turn off when im asked that. Especially after such a short convo Lolol
 
I'm not really sure of the issues here. Whilst i've been to Maplin and know of Nikka cables and know from previous use that they're basic cables i'd also say it was a fairly standard expectation that they would be basic. Just as one would assume that cables bought from a market stall would be cheap basic ones.

I'm also not sure how much longer you expected the conversation to last. If you've told him what you have and he recommends something then the next step is for you either to purchase or say you're not interested. It's hardly like he could demonstrate them to you as you would in a shop.

What else did you expect him to say?
 
Nikkai cables are of decent quality. They are not expensive, but they are well made. I've got a few myself. They are not made by Maplin, probably just exclusively stocked by them. You can't buy Cambridge Audio gear at any other stockist, but it doesn't mean Richer Sounds make them. ;) What they are though for certain, is too expensive from Maplin.

No surprise though, that a specialist in audio cables, calls a well made budget brand 'basic', just because it is not a recognised brand. All cables are basic. Copper wires covered in plastic sheath, possibly with connectors at either end, depending on the type of cable.
 
Not sure I see the problem here either.... what else can an online retailer do?
But isn't the problem here the attempt to do everything on line and on the cheap?
A Hi-Fi dealer by it's nature isn't an online service... Well not until we can audition down a telephone!!!
Go visit a dealer have a proper chat and listen, even borrow things of interest, then go back and buy if you like what you hear.....
 
Dealer is not incorrect. Maplin do basic cables which is fine for general use, certainly not specialist dealer stuff.
I certainly won't go there for any hi-fidelity stuff but great for bits and bobs. You can get things cheaper elsewhere of the same quality if you look.

By the way I recommend Brilliance Synergy cables which is quite good quality.
 
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You can't expect Maplin to sell anything but basic cables! To get the magic cables infused with orphan tears that really make the sound quality go up, you have to go to specialists!
 
To be fair you get 101 different brands of basic cables, often made by companies that appear one minute and disappear the next even most specialists will only really know the more common big name brands.
 
nicknack35 said:
Any recommendations please?
Click to expand...

Depends on budget to be honest. For the cheaper end i actually quite like the Cambridge Audio cables as mentioned above. About a tenner a cable and well made. Well worth the extra couple quid over the Nikkai cables which from experience i've always compared to the crappy things you get on market stalls or bundled with dvd players etc.

Above that then theres a lot of choice in the next price bracket.
 
Also to be fair to the dealer .... you mention maplin ... and some cheapo cable... he's got some expensive stuff in the shop. He's not going to be chatting on the line for long if customers are in the shop waiting to spend stupid money.
 
Well after so many views on maplin s cables. Does anybody have any recommendations on any specialist optical and usb A to B cables. I've seen QED performance optical is ok and audioquest usb
 
nicknack35 said:
Well after so many views on maplin s cables. Does anybody have any recommendations on any specialist optical and usb A to B cables. I've seen QED performance optical is ok and audioquest usb
Click to expand...

Do you understand what an optical cable does? If so, what do you expect a 'specialist' cable to do that a maplin one doesn't?
 
Well some say the maplin's cables are not very good and just basic. Now if i went and got a specialist cable would i see a difference in quality of sound? what do others use in cable?. Does anybody use specialist cables?. And if so has anybody seen difference in performance from basic cables?
 
Another thing also. Im into dance music. Now from what ive been told silver is better then copper cable. But silver can be to bright on the ears. What are others prefference?
 
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