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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
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.


andy2
1,522 posts
 
First I am not in the cable manufacturing business so this is just my guess.

I was wondering the reason audio grade cables are so expensive not because of their own intrinsic quality but simply has to do with economy of scales.  These high end cable companies probably only sell a handful of them per year so it just costs more per unit.

For example, if I were to prototype my PCB board.  If I only order 10 for debugging, then it probably costs a few hundreds dollars per board.  But for the same board, if it were Apples and they need to order a million boards, then the cost will be substantially less.
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tonykay
1,298 posts
 
Many years ago my interconnects consisted of manufacturer-supplied cables and lamp cord for speaker wire. I saw some Audioquest Ruby interconnects on sale and bought them. When I took them home and replaced my old cables I couldn't believe the difference. So yes, I do believe quality connectors make a difference. However, there is a point of diminishing returns, and the cost should be commensurate with the cost and quality of your other equipment.
andy2
1,522 posts
 
However, there is a point of diminishing returns, and the cost should be commensurate with the cost and quality of your other equipment.

I think that is true within the context of the overall system cost.  For example, if system A costs 10K and system B costs 50K, then the  diminishing return for system A would be less than system B.  In other words, system B would have more resolution therefore warrants a higher budget for cables.
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geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
It’s probably safe to say Audioquest, which is both a high end cable company and a seller of very expensive cables and power cords and HDMI cables, etc., sells many hundreds or even thousands of expensive items each year. I suspect Nordost does pretty well in terms of number of sales. So there goes that theory.
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