2. cables
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Where can I get educated about cables?

I'm still relatively new to this "hobby" compared to most of you it seems, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I've finally gotten to the point where I am considering purchasing cables, both for IC's and speakers, but I don't know where to begin.

Here's the deal- I read alot of reviews, talk to dealers, and read threads both here and on AA, and while everyone genuinely seems to want to help, I hear alot of talk about "impedance" and "capacitance", "six-nines', etc, when they talk about various cables. Now, I'm not an electrical engineer (I'm a commercial HVAC tech by trade), but I do know a little basic electronics, and am comfortable with a wiring diagram, so I am familiar with these terms.

Ultimately, I'd like to understand how to choose a cable, and why. I'd like to know how a cables characteristics will affect the sound with my equipment, and I'd like to know what cabling changes to make if I change a different part of my system somewhere down the road. Please don't misunderstand me- I do not believe I will find the perfect combination by simply using a magic formula of some sort. I'm just looking for information on the basics to get me headed in the right direction so I can make an informed decision, and hopefully save myself some grief (and cash) along the way.

Against my better judgement, but as an example, I'll tell you that I have a Sonic Frontiers Line1, a Bryston 4BST, and PSB Gold i's. I borrowed some different IC's from a local dealer, and heard the differences between them. BUT WHY? I wanna know why! Why did cable "XYZ" sound different than cable "ABC"? And what if I changed preamps? Then what? Or my amp? This could get really expensive trying cable after cable after cable, without knowing what to look for or having a frame of reference to start with.

Please, if anyone knows a source of info, a book, a site, or an actual person who can help me, let me know. It would be greatly appreciated.

Lastly, if you have experience with my particular COMPLETE setup, not just the individual pieces, your input would probably benefit me here as well.

Thanks for your time.


subcoolman

Showing 2 responses by abex

abex
322 posts
 
http://www.audiotweaks.com/collection_descend.htm

If you are into tweeks then that sites for you!I think ome tweeks are really beneficial BTW.Some are almost total non sense and are system\room dependent.
abex
322 posts
 
SCM
System sensitivity,not meaning measurements.but system components will have as much to do as with the results of the cable you use as the cable itself.There are no easy answers to the equation.This is where Impedances,ohms and watts come into play.

What I try to do is first look at the manufacture of the equiptment to see what they use if anything.Then resd reviews of both pro reviewer's and owner's at this site,other BB's or AudioReview.com. At audio review I try to look at asociated equiptment and what other stuff the owner has used to gage his\her experiences.

Next there are those that are designer's that post on a few BB's that give advice free of charge.John Risch,John Curl,Robert Crump,Steve Nugent(AudioEngr.),Dan Banquer who really are deeper than you'll ever want to be into the stuff.Great wealth of knowledge there.

Lastly there are sites that will explain all things pertaining to design's,gages,measurements and other topics.

Who knows it might open a new oppurtunity for you.

Nothing is easy in audio and for every one that says one thing there is a counter view.

It's not all rocket science ,but it can become an obsession.
Happy learning!It's a long road!
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Added info:
Your assertion of having wires so things will not blowup!
Good gear has been throughly tested and the engineer's are pretty involved with safety in that regard.As long as you do not physically get into a cabinet I highly doubt this will happen.Or if you change the value of a fuse and have the thing smoke is about the worst you can do.

To understand system matching read up on Ohms Law to get an understanding of the relationships between the different factors\relationships in regard to Power,Voltage,Resistance & Current.

Ohms Law
http://ohmslaw.com/ohmslaw.htm

Acoustics Definitions
http://www.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handbook/index.html

Measurements & Testing Definitions
http://www.epanorama.net/links/measuring.html#impedance

There are also beginner's guides which I cannot find at the moment.

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