[b]The best DIY IC I've heard.........L'Argent[/b] So I'm trumpet blowing.........as no one else seems to post much on here. I've now had the L'Argent [as I'm calling them] cables running for the best part of two weeks and I think they have stabilised. They are simply the best IC I've made, they are not the most expensive nor the most complicated. The basic materials are how ever not easily obtained cheaply. Now anyone how has followed my IC construction threads will/should have realised I'm a cheap skate. With that in mind It's taken the best part of 5 years to locate a source of unimpeachable quality, and a steady price. Now as you might have guessed its not an Audio supplier. I heard yesterday, the same silver wire [4n] was being sold from a Audio DIY place at the same price I got mine. The problem was they supplied a foot and I got a roll of 20m approx ! All the parts are readily available, its just the 4n silver wire at the right price that may pose the problem. Back to the cables..... I liked the sound of the zero cost cables [see previous threads] and so really all I've done is exchange the copper enamel wire for the 4n silver. To recap the design is a simple double helix 3mm spacing between condutors, this is roughly speaking a merging of the XLO and parrallel type designs. The double helix is wound round a central former and as the silver is not insulated the last few cm are sleeved in PTFE to prevent shorting, that plauged the first few efforts. The whole is then covered wih a flexible woven sheath. The plugs....pretty are really what ever you want but IMO, either the best you can buy or the cheapest. The cheapest, as they have very little metal to interfere with the sound, and the best well coz they are the best! How do they sound ?, well like copper but with added depth and clarity, but lossing a little roundness or warmth found in the copper. You could say copper puts a rosey tint on to the music, and the silver removes it. Copper is Very much like wearing rose tinted specs,but if your want to really see what colour something is naturally you take them off. Imaging and soundstage are better defined and wider than the previous copper versions. Providing a hugely detailed, spacious and deep soundstage that seem to extend in to next doors lounge, and is not locked between the speakers. Cost and perceptive value, of this cable, the only thing I have to go on are known relative values. As the copper zerocost IC's were subjectivly better than the famous? GWS [great white shark and these were said to be the equal of designs in the order of £150], GWS cost approx £80ish. The L'Argents are significantly better than the GWS and much better than the zerocost's ....I have yet to hear a better DIY cable, so I really have no idea of there relative worth !. Now you ask, how much did these cost to make........well if you take off the cost off the plugs, an 0.75m stereo pair was in the order £20ish ......no that the right number of noughts. Remembering that the zerocost IC's cost well a couple of pounds at most for material enough to make several hundred !! If people want a more construction and material details why not PM me. I've heared from MrSukebe for whom I made a Din to RCA for his Teac CDP to Naim Niat5, and he has permenantly? replaced a Chord cobra with the Prototype I sent him. So if your into DIY IC's give them a go £25 for the kit, so pm, me why don't you!