Cheap Stereo Cables

A lucrative industry has grown up around providing premium stereo cables to audiophiles.  Some folks swear theycan hear a difference between normal and premium cables.  Others discount the effects of premium cables citing science and physics.

I believe in having quality cables that allow you to make a good connection between your components.  I don't fully believe in magical cables that make a difference in sound quality.  However, my mind is open.  I also tend to believe that people who have seen ghosts, UFOs, bigfoots, and chupacabras have seen something out of the ordinary.  But, I can't say they exist until I see one myself.

For my stereo systems, I tend to use semi-premium cables from brands like Monster Cables.  They have nice connectors and are easy to work with.  At some stereo stores, Monster Cables cost a little more than a plain jane RCA cable.  But, here is my secret:  thrift stores that sell stereo components often sell cables.  At one of my local Goodwill stores, a Monster Cable goes for $7.97.

Monster Cables at a Thrift Store

You can get new stereo cables from Amazon for just a little more.  I always buy new speaker wire from Walmart or Target.  Speaker wire tends to visibly deteriorate over time.  If you have a twenty year old stereo, there is no reason to have twenty year old speaker wire.

Thrift Store Cables

I should note that finding stereo cables at thrift stores can be pretty hit or miss.  Since we were thrifting regularly, I would just pick up a good quality cable whenever I found one until I had a good stockpile.

The Cables You Need For A Vintage Stereo

The Cables You Need To Set Up An Old or Vintage Stereo

If you are going to buy any component stereo system, there are a few essential cables that you will need to hook your system up.

1. Speaker Wire.  To hook up traditional stereo speakers, you are going to need some speaker wire.  You don't need to spend too much on speaker wire.  You just need to buy enough to reach from your receiver to your speakers.

2. Stereo Cable.  You will need cables to connect your stereo components to your receiver.  There are many companies selling premium stereo cables.  But, unless you are an audiophile with superhuman ears and an incredible budget, traditional stereo cables will do nicely.

3.  FM Antenna.  Most stereo receivers come with a dipole antenna in the box. However, there is a good chance that any receiver from a thrift store or eBay will be missing an antenna.  If you are shopping from Goodwill, you can probably just grab the dipole antenna from another receiver.  Otherwise you can just order one here.  Dipole antennas are really cheap.

 

4.  AM Antenna.  An AM/FM stereo receiver usually comes with a loop antenna to receive AM signals. If yours doesn't have one or doesn't have a small AM antenna built in to the back of the receiver, then you may want to buy and AM Loop Antenna.  These are also really inexpensive.



5.  Device to RCA Adapter Cable.  If you want to connect modern devices such as tablets, computers, iPods, MP3 players, you'll need a cable that runs from the headphone jack of your device to the RCA Plugs of your stereo receiver.  Technically, it's a 3.5mm male to 2-male RCA adapter cable. 



Fortunately, all the basic cables you need to hook up your new, old, or vintage stereo are fairly inexpensive.  If you need more advanced help ask almost any forty to fifty year old American male or join a forum like audiokarma.org.