I always heard arguments like "ears can trick us" or "if you anticipate improvement, you will hear improvement" or "its a perception thing, you hear what your subconscious wants ". Not only regarding cables but everything else related to audio. Anybody with common sense would most probably agree with these arguments.
But IMHO, the price is the sole and only detractor in all cable discussions. Most of us just can't get rid of this bias before listening to cables. It's like comparing two cars sharing same performance, styling and everything else but with one costing 5K $ less than the other. People will generally see the most expensive as crap and the cheapest one as a giant killer. Am I saying I can justify or acknowledge very high priced cables are all always the way to go ? Absolutely not ! Do they make a difference in my system ? You bet ! Especially power cords !
If you tell me you can bring me better cabling in my system for less money, I will tell you I'm an open minded guy. Bring them on ! If you can't deliver well.... what else do you want me convinced of ?!
So, I've got my own way of dealing with the matter : I buy very expensive cabling, used, at a fraction of the original price. My mind tells me I hear improvement in my system while my conscience tells me not to worry about it.
But IMHO, the price is the sole and only detractor in all cable discussions. Most of us just can't get rid of this bias before listening to cables. It's like comparing two cars sharing same performance, styling and everything else but with one costing 5K $ less than the other. People will generally see the most expensive as crap and the cheapest one as a giant killer. Am I saying I can justify or acknowledge very high priced cables are all always the way to go ? Absolutely not ! Do they make a difference in my system ? You bet ! Especially power cords !
If you tell me you can bring me better cabling in my system for less money, I will tell you I'm an open minded guy. Bring them on ! If you can't deliver well.... what else do you want me convinced of ?!
So, I've got my own way of dealing with the matter : I buy very expensive cabling, used, at a fraction of the original price. My mind tells me I hear improvement in my system while my conscience tells me not to worry about it.