Collection: Cables & Connectors

Cables and connectors are the lines through which power and signal flow between your hi-fi and home cinema components — from the wall socket via source and amplifier to the speaker terminal.

Why good cables?

A cable can't turn a weak system into a good one — but a bad cable can hold a good system back. Wobbly connectors, cross-sections too thin over long runs, poorly shielded lines right next to the mains: all avoidable. Solid cables simply make sure the signal arrives the way it was sent, and that the connection still holds in ten years. The rest is up to the system.

What matters

What counts is that the cable suits the job: the right type (speaker, RCA, XLR, digital, HDMI, mains, network, USB), the right length and proper connectors. Better one neatly made-up cable in the right length than three metres coiled up behind the rack. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we make speaker and interconnect cables to length, and tell you honestly where an upgrade actually helps and where your money is better spent on a speaker or a source.

Who it's for — and straight talk

From your first clean setup to a full-blown high-end chain: cables are the foundation everything else stands on. If you're building a new system, swapping a device, or finally want to tame the cable clutter behind the rack, you're in the right place.

Straight talk: cables are the field with the biggest promises and the smallest guaranteed miracles. A good cable is a sensible, long-lasting investment — a cable that transforms your entire system is not something we'll sell you. We'll tell you where the audible difference realistically lies and where the marketing begins.

Verdict: buy as much cable as your system deserves — no more, no less. Right type, right length, solid connectors. If you're unsure which cross-section or connection belongs in your setup, just ask us.

Frequently asked questions

Which cables do I need for my system?

That depends on your devices: speaker cable between amplifier and box, RCA or XLR cable between components, digital or HDMI cable for streamer, DAC and TV, plus mains cable for power. Send us your equipment list, and we'll put together the right cabling for you.

Do expensive cables really sound audibly better?

Up to a solid level, yes; beyond that it quickly becomes a matter of taste and belief. Cross-section, shielding and good connectors are demonstrably relevant. But the jump from solid to expensive is much smaller than the jump from cheap to solid. We advise based on your system, not the price tag.

How long can speaker cables be?

For normal living-room lengths up to about five metres per side, a sensible cross-section works fine. More important than sheer length is that both sides are as equal in length as possible and the cross-section matches the distance. For longer runs, we make up the cable to fit.

What's the difference between RCA and XLR?

XLR transmits the signal balanced and is less prone to interference over long runs and in electrically noisy environments. RCA is the common standard and present on almost every device. If your device has XLR connections and longer distances are involved, XLR is worth it. Otherwise RCA does its job flawlessly.

Do you make cables to length?

Yes. We make speaker and interconnect cables to the length you want, with the right connectors, neatly soldered or crimped. That way you get exactly the length you need, without coiled-up excess behind the rack.

Why buy cables at HD Zürisee?

Because from years of practice we know where a cable upgrade really helps and where it doesn't — and we'll tell you so. We make cables to length, help with type, length and connectors, and think through the whole signal chain with you. We advise you personally and deliver all over Switzerland — free shipping from CHF 190.