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I've never believed much in cables, that said... (USB)

So, in 30+ years of being an audio geek of sorts I've never believed much in cables.  I've always felt once it's a decent gauge and quality (think basic Mogami XLR's and Canare 4s11 speaker) that they don't make much of a difference.  I do try occasionally and try to read the science to see if it makes sense.  

Over the years there have been a couple cables I thought MIGHT have been different (not better or worse, but different).

1.  Gregg Straley Reality cables - these are a solid core and I believe he cryo's them.  I felt the speaker cables MIGHT have brightened things up a bit.  60/40 on if they did, but I'm pretty sure they did.

2.  PS Audio AC3 power cables on my amp.  I inherited this cable with a used amp purchase so said what the hell, I'll try it.  Don't think it did a thing on the pre-amp.  But, with two different amps, I THINK it opened up the soundstage a bit.  Reading about it, I think that the whole highs/lows shapes of cables doesn't make a lot of sense.  But I did think it might make a big enough difference.  For what I essentially paid for it - I kept it and use it.  If anything it looks cool and does stay in the outlet with a vice like grip.  


That said.

Just got my first outboard DAC (oppo sonica) and started with a cheap USB cable then tried an audioquest cinnamon, clearly a difference to me.  I was shocked (and bummed in some ways). But it was obvious, so I tried an audioquest carbon - and yes, again I'm pretty darn sure I heard a difference and it was better.  Everything did have more separation and clarity without being brighter (which is what I thought speaker cables might have done).  This was clear.  It still makes little sense to me (0's and 1's).  I've tried to look at tests like at ASR... but man it's the first time I really felt I can hear a difference.  

Might try the PS audio power cord on the dac, but that means changing on the amp... so not sure if it would be fair or not!
dep14

Showing 2 responses by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
It’s always nice to read a report such as this from a self-acknowledged cable skeptic. That’s why I dismiss the arguments by those skeptics who simply refuse to listen or experiment.


Indeed. I myself grew up with Julian Hirsch and Stereo Review and was as big a cable skeptic as ever you'll find. Had all the usual electrical and wire gauge arguments memorized and ready to trot out like a good little parrot all day long. Totally bought into that whole wire don't matter its overpriced snake oil for people with more money than brains schtick.

Ha! That changed fast the minute I actually started listening and comparing. Within about a year I had heard a very high end system that sounded awesome in no small part to having MORE money in cables than components. TWICE as much! 

Now many years later I don't know which I find more amazing: that some insanely expensive stuff manages to sound so good it almost seems a bargain, or that some bargain priced stuff manages to sound better than some really expensive stuff- or that some people still don't get that this is all for real.


millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Not only do cables make a difference, dep14, but with the right ones the difference is enough that cables are EQUALLY as important as any other component.

Two great stumbling blocks stand in the way of realizing this.

The first is thinking measurement has anything to do with it. Forget audio for a minute. Look at it this way. Mercedes spends many millions every year on their Formula One team. F1 cars today are festooned with sensors collecting real-time data like you would never believe. Seriously. I mean it is freaking amazing. Millions of dollars just on that one little bit of it alone. They know where that car is and what forces are acting on it, millisecond by millisecond. Yet when they want to know how to make it faster, what do they do? They ask Lewis. They talk to Valtteri. Because they know when it comes to processing complex data nothing beats a human being.

One more thing about measurements. Let’s say you listen to one cable and it sounds a whole lot better. What are you gonna do? Deny the reality of your own senses until you see your own experience validated on an oscilloscope trace? Really? I would hate to be your wife. Yes honey you felt good last night but I really need to get the doctor in there to confirm it with an ultrasound or something. Exactly how much sense it makes to go looking for numbers to validate one cable sounding better than another.

The other big stumbling block is the tiny amount of really good cables relative to the vast selection of stuff that sounds different but really isn’t comprehensively better. Its easy to do like you did and find something better than the crap they ship in the box. Its a lot harder to find the really good stuff, cables that make your jaw drop at how they manage to make a bigger difference than even your amp or source component.

But they are out there. The most comprehensively excellent across the board one that I know of is Synergistic Research. Their AC Master Coupler is a Gold Standard of entry-level excellence. You can pick one up for $150, or less. https://www.usedcable.com/synergistic-research-ac-master-coupler-non-active-right-angle-iec-5ft-1-5m...

Plug this into ANY of your components and prepare to be amazed at the awesome difference quality cables can make.
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