Cable Snake Oil Antidote

Oh, one thing I forgot...

5.  Pay no attention to the manufacturer's claims or explanations of their technology.  It doesn't matter what they say about WHY their cables work well.  JUST LISTEN & EVALUATE.

Here's what I've found in over 40 years of listening...

1.  Cables (and AC cords) DEFINITELY make a difference.

2. Interconnects cannot 'improve' sound.  All they can do is degrade it.  The best ones degrade the sound the least (i.e. they transmit it with the least 'damage' and 'loss' of the signal).

3.  Generally, these differences are MORE pronounced w/ better (i.e. more highly resolving) components.   If the signal is distorted to start with, a great cable will only give a more accurate presentation of that distorted signal.  It cannot 'clean it up'.

4.  Lastly, to those who say 'if you can't measure it, you can't hear it'... You're assuming that we can measure everything that matters; that our knowledge of electronics, physics, and psycho-acoustics are all perfect.  Absurd!  If you think there's nothing left to learn... well, that's extremely foolish, isn't it? 

cj1965, thanks or your response.  I have no interest in a 'troll war' with you. Suffice it to say that you seem to believe science is a closed issue, and we have nothing further to learn, which is extremely foolish.

Science always begins with observation.  When we observe something we cannot measure or explain, that is when scientific discovery begins.

The difference between science and religion, of course, is that religion insists that we must believe with no proof (i.e. faith), while science insists that we prove & explain what we believe.  An in that respect, the twain shall never meet. 

Now, when it comes to audio, the only thing that really matters is what you hear (consistently, of course).  If you can hear it, but you cannot measure it... it's your measurements that are lacking.  When science cannot explain the physical universe... science must learn.

Please don't bother to respond. I'm only interested in helping people achieve good sound, not in personal attacks, or your religion.

OK cj, since you're not a troll and your intentions are good... just one more post...

I made a very general statement that cables cannot improve the signal, only degrade it.  I think I said that the cable can only damage the signal or lose it.  All of what you've been writing is valid & true.  It all falls under 'damage' to the signal.  I didn't think it was necessary to 'get into the weeds' in some general, practical, advice on choosing cables. 

Really cj, this is just nit-picking. I still believe my advice was quite sound.  And really, you DO come across like a troll - personal attacks and all. Go back and re-read yourself.