Sound Advice: There are times high-end speaker wires do sound like a good idea

Q: Based on your recommendation I purchased a ZVOX SoundBase 570. I'm extremely pleased by the product and thank you for the recommendation. I'm now considering an Audio-Technica AT-LP60 turntable, another product you recommend. Can I connect the AT-LP60 turntable to the ZVOX SoundBase 570? (I'm only using optical audio input No. 1 on the SoundBase.)

A: You can connect the turntable directly to the ZVOX SoundBase. In fact, you can connect the turntable to the line input of any speaker, even a small Bluetooth speaker. The AT-LP60 even includes the cable you need. Just be sure to set the turntable output to "Line." If possible, put the turntable on a different piece of furniture than the SoundBase or you might get feedback from the SoundBase to the needle. Enjoy your record player, and welcome to the wonderful hobby of vinyl records.

Longtime readers know I am not a fan of high-priced speaker wire. For years, this scam has been ripping off consumers with claims of dramatically improved sound quality, claims that have not once been substantiated with scientific testing.

That being said, premium speaker cables do have their merits. The high quality ensures long-term reliability, and custom-terminated cables with spades or banana plugs make changing speakers and components a snap. I do this a great deal as part of my reviewing process, and banana plugs on both ends of the wire are a must-have for me. Of course, you can add banana plugs to ordinary wire, but those banana plugs tend to come off with use.

There is also the matter of aesthetics. If you have a high-end system, you may want something more visually appealing than ordinary double-strand, 14-gauge wire. Even though I have a pretty fancy system, I don't mind using plain-looking wire, but I know not everyone feels the same way.

The challenge is finding quality and value that don't cross into wasteful spending. At the Consumer Electronics Show, SVS, known for its high-end, high-value speakers, demonstrated a new accessory line featuring SoundPath Ultra speaker cables. Their tagline is, "Bridging the gap between exorbitantly priced 'snake oil' solutions and cheaply made accessories that sacrifice performance for price." I could not have said it better myself.

SoundPath Ultra speaker cables are stylish and well-made. They sport a braided black and blue finish that is attractive and classy. SoundPath Ultra cables are custom terminated and soldered in Ohio with your choice of banana plugs, spades or a mixture of both. Custom lengths from 4 feet to 50 feet are available.

A 25-foot pair of SoundPath Ultra cables costs $139, which is chicken feed in the realm of high-priced speaker cables. For comparison, a 20-foot pair of Cardas Clear Beyond speaker cables costs $18,810 and won't deliver any sonic benefits over the SoundPath Ultra.

So, if you have a premium audio system and want to visually dress it up a bit, or you switch components and speakers often and want a premium product that makes changing the connection a pleasure, SVS SoundPath Ultra speaker cables are a good value, especially given the craziness in the marketplace. Matching RCA interconnects are available, too: svsound.com.

Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.