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Best interconnects & speaker cable? I don't get it

I don't know if there is a question here but I'm posting this to see if there is something I'm missing or overlooking in this observation. To the point, I've read many posts arguing the benefits of one or more conductors over others and I almost understand some discussions regarding, at least, comparisons of wire gauge for speakers. Maybe it relates to my less than well developed ability to discern subtlities in sound quality but I really can't hear much, if any, difference between interconnects or speaker cables.

As an example, I was recently experimenting with an amplifier selector (Niles DPS-1) which can accommodate a max of 14AWG speaker wire. In doing so I had to disconnect my existing cables which are "high end" 12 gauge per leg bi-wires. In making this comment I realize that just because my old wires are big and expensive does not necessarily mean they are the best match for my system or even any good. But...even though I think I am able to hear some small difference between them, to say that I think one is better than the other would be a stretch.

It seems to me that there are factors that would logically lend to the issue of quality, the primary of which would be conductor resistance and/or impedance. However, for transmission of line level signals, I can't see impedance as a significant factor.

All that being said, I believe that some listeners with acutely honed abilities can actually hear these differences and, in a way, I am somewhat glad that I don't; It makes wire choices much easier and way less expensive.

My current system consists of Shanling S-100 CD player, CALSigma 2 DAC, Rogue Audio Sphinx and Martin Logan Odyssey speakers with various interconnect and speaker wires.
128x128broadstone

Showing 3 responses by tbg

tbg
5,263 posts
 
Broadstone, It is hard for me to date the origins of my involvement with audio but it was somewhere in the late 1950s and it was with Dyna kits. I remember getting on the slippery slope of better audio with buying a Fisher 500, it the early '60s.

I remember thinking when I got The Absolute Sound magazine without any advertizing that I was close to that absolute sound, live audio. Now many years later, with the realism of the sound I am now hearing, I realize that I was far from it. All that I can really say is that if you are satisfied with what you have, enjoy. But avoid listening to other peoples' systems. Probably most would not excite you, but inevitabally you will hear one that is striking real sounding and it would thrill you. That is were I am at today, and I don't want to go back. Be forewarned.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Audiolabyrinth, please don't think I'm unhappy with where I am. I don't want to get off the merry-go-round. I am still thrilled with realism and I have met some great people. I must also say that I don't understand people who have no passions. Year ago I had three passions-audio, racing catamarans, and seeing the world. I don't live near the ocean anymore and I've seen most of the world other than Antarctica.

Last night I discovered that some amps are enormously improved being on Star Sound Tech. Sistrum Apprentic platforms. Others are not.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Tubegroover, lots of rational people on this post. Unfortunately, trusting your ears is trial and error. There really is no predicting what you might hear. I had an experience yesterday of this. I had a new isolation platform and tried it under two amps. It helped one slightly and the other enormously. I think maybe this is a matter of isolation of the ac transformer in the two amps. One is better isolated I would hypothesize and thus the effective rack did little, But the second amp far surpasses the first. Fortunately I own the second one, not the first.

How long am I going to continue this trial and error? I've owned 29 different speakers. My present speakers weigh 198 pounds each and I'm in a second floor listening room. I doubt if I will ever replace them until I have to downsize greatly. Amplifiers that weigh close to 100 pounds also are unlikely to be replaced either. Enjoy the ride while you can guys!
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