I'm deeply suspicious of cables and yet I think they can sound different--not always better--just different. As standard, inexpensive cables, you'll do well with Signal Cable, Mogami, and Blue Jean. I tried stepping up to Audience 24e and just couldn't hear the difference so I sold them. Finally, I bought some Analysis Plus 9s for speaker cable and the Analysis Plus Crystal RCAs--they sounded better in my system. YMMV. By the way, Analysis products are unusually well made and fairly priced (relative to some). They're a great buy 2nd hand. My system is Luxman 505ux, Harbeth SHL5, Bryston BDP1 and Line Magnetic DAC.
cable reviews?
I read the forums and the online magazines and always wonder about the cable reviews. How can I discover what all of the hype is about. I have read promising reviews about cable brands such as Cardas, TARA Labs, and Transparent. I admit I’m leaning towards TARA due to many awards I’ve seen in AbsoluteSound magazine. Cardas also seems to be pretty good also. Any advice on which cables would best suit my system. I have a modest system, with the new Sony Digital front end (brilliant), Bryston electronics and B&W loudspeakers. Thank you