2. cables
  3. 1058894209

Which cables go with what?????

I never fails to amaze me, the questions people ask on this forum, always trying to find some synergy between cables and their components/speakers.

The fact is: there are two classes of cables:
1) Those that are neutral
2) Those that impose a sonic signature (tone controls of a sort)

If the average audiophile spent his time trying to weed-out the tone control cables and get some neutral cables, then all that would be left is to determine the right synergy between his or her components. This may mean elimination of an offensive component, as painful as that sounds.

Component synergy is real. Amps and speaker combinations definitely need to be selected carefully. In some cases also preamp-amp synergies are important. If you are using tubes, then there are even more compatibility issues. But cables, forget it. If you are trying to compensate for a poor component or speaker design by using tone control cables, you will probably never be happy and likely compromise the sound of the other components in the process. You will certainly never approach a live or "master-tape" sound. There, that's my editorial. Hopefully some will learn from it.
audioengr

Showing 6 responses by dekay

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,346 posts
 
Cornfed:

Boring can sometimes be excellent (Henning Mankell novels for example).

Now if you will, please do "jaded" (which though never excellent, is often entertaining:-).
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,346 posts
 
No such thing as neutral, especially when matching many parts as a whole. There is no known reference as to what a master tape "should" sound like (even a memory of the live event does not qualify due to the recording chain, which does not even come close to duplicating the sound heard @ such).

What this leaves us with is synergy between components, listening rooms and cables (tuning a system to personal taste).
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,346 posts
 
SoGood:

"I do expect to someday read a post where the poster has gone out and bought a PC, and now wants to know what system he should build around it, he may get a few answers on it."

I never posted, but kind of did this very thing the last time I downsized (sold or stored all of the system components except for a CD player, however I kept all of the original cabling).

So, in effect I built a new system from the ground up with nothing to start with but the cables (plus a CD player, an equipment rack and the power conditioners:-).

Never really thought about it this way before.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,346 posts
 
I suggest that this thread be deleted due to an overwhelming influence by either the heat, or more likely the economy.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,346 posts
 
RCH:

Regardless of what/any intent Steve had in regard to starting this thread, I will say that his premise is an odd one (this not being the first time he has wierded me out, nor hopefully will it be the last).

I can't imagine seriously discussing this one (this concept) as it has too much of "The Chicken or the Egg" quality going for it.

Yes, I first thought that the thread might be financially motivated (especially after the two year old piped in:-), but now it seems fairly obvious that Steve was just dreaming/thinking outloud/online.

As far as any self promotion goes I'll be damned if I can ever remember the name of his cable company (and I have read tons of his AA posts), so he must be doing a very poor job of it.

The only thing that really bugs me about Steve is that his wife is easily a gazillion times more attractive (than Steve). I mean, what's up with this?
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,346 posts
 
Abe:

Hmm, gender VS attractiveness is generally not an issue with heterosexual men/women (rolling of the eyes).

I think the photos viewed were from a Hifi show (can't remember the event off hand).

Anyway, I was just kidding about "it" bugging me.
More to discover