why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable
why do people feel the need to buy expensive cableBecause in some cases, they sound superior. In my system, I use a combination of PCs. 2 that were custom made at $175 each and the rest Nordost Valhalla, High Fidelity and Shunyata Sigma. I build my AUDIO system base on SOUND QUALITY and NOT status, measurements ... I use my EAR and buy what sounds the best!!! |
11-13-15: CalvinjThere are 2 simple answers to OP question. You can ask this same question about any commodity, cars, clothing ... Either the purchase is a status symbol or superior performance. This thread is more a reflection of the OP and members that criticize how others spend their money. They lack the resources sitting outside the fence so will criticize others to justify their own situation. |
mamboni41 posts03-13-2016 9:04pmIf a cable has significant resistance and reactance it will color the sound by interacting with the amplifier and loudspeaker. Using exotic cables to achieve a desired sound is not cost effective. Your money is better invested in monoblocks so that very short cable runs can be used. I use 4 foot runs of 18g solid core .999 silver Teflon coated wire. This cable has negligable resistance and reactance. I am most pleased with the sound. I run my signal straight with no equalization of any kind. Before I'd resort to cables to alter the sound i would use software to optimize the loudspeaker-room interaction. This is anathema to many purists. Yet they accept cable swapping with its numerous variables and unpredictable interactions. This is illogical.What if I have more money than GOD so I can buy any monoblocks and EXOTIC cables. Is this LOGICAL to you??? |
I don't set a predetermine budget on anything and buy what sounds best to my ear. My neighbor has $150K full loom of Stage 3 cables. I respect his decision. He's successful, earned the money and happy with the results. Who am I or anyone to criticize his decision. I don't find any member suggesting one has to spend x amount of dollars but just recommending different products. Some happens to be expensive. |
Talk about illogical, if something is overpriced, company will go out of business with low or no demand. The fact that many cable companies, Nordost, Kimber, Stealth ... have been in business for a long time, it's not overpriced. All you can conclude is some consumers find it overpriced and some don't. This applies to all goods ... some find a Porsche is overpriced and some don't. If you do, don't buy it but respect the ones that do. |
Although i do not think many would have argued against that . If our logic is wire is wire your expensive wire should also be great too . Just overpriced is all.If overpriced, company would go out of business. The fact that many exotic cable companies have been in business for many many years, it's not overpriced that's all. |
maplegrovemusicWhat part of purchasing decisions are made from various reasons you just can't seem to grasp?? |
Sure, some folks think that boats are important and watches aren't, just as some folks feel that speakers are important and cables aren't. And some folks feel that cables are important and speakers aren't. The world is becoming more full of extremists everyday.Calling me names again? LOL!!! chrshanl37, The differences between those two automobiles as well as the boats you cited can easily be distinguished through a series of basic performance tests. Unlike cables this is pretty cut and dry. Why can't you do the same with cables? Does different cables sound the same in your system? However iif we were to measure these cars from a purely subjective standpoint such as asthetics or pride of ownership....well now we are wading into murky water...you know like cables.Are you saying nobody buy cables for SQ but only as aesthetics or pride of ownership? I build my sound system base on SOUND quality. Nothing else matters ... pride of ownership, specifications, cost .... dynaquest42 posts03-19-2016 8:24amStringreen said: "...or expensive watches..."Your bottom line for a timepiece is different than others. To some, a Rolex is sense of style or accomplishment. I'm proud owner of 4 Rolexes in different styles. In an unexpected consequence, 2 have appreciated 3X and the other 2, 2X. How much has your Seiko appreciated? I would not chuckle with B&W Nautilus 803. I'll take the Tara Labs any day. |
dynaquest43 posts03-20-2016 11:42am2. Anyone who spent hundreds or thousands of $$$ on cables/interconnects is NEVER going to admit he may have overspent or made a mistake or suggest that maybe what differences do occur with expensive cables were clearly not worth the money. So what's the point? People can't admit making a mistake only applies to cables? |
chrshanl37313 posts03-20-2016 4:34pmMany of us can agree that cables do indeed make a difference but the point of the thread was about expensive cables.Expensive is all relative. Has it ever cross your mind what's expensive to you inexpensive to another?? I took this as a shot on manufacturers that hyper inflate the cost/performance ratio.Ultimately consumers decide if the cost/performance ratio is justified. If too expensive or not enough value, company go out of business with lack of demand. Simple supply, demand and price! |
chrshanl37314 posts03-20-2016 8:08pmknghifi no need to state the obvious here and remember I did not start this thread. I only chimmed in after reading all of the irrational arguments. I will ask you one more time....if you are convinced the performance difference between cables can be proven as easily as the difference between a kia and a porche....well I am all ears as i'm sure are many others. What is your method for proving such a claim?Well you chime in with many illogical arguments. Let see, how do I compare differences between cables. Hmm .. How about listen to it in my system? I have a Porsche 911 but no experience with Kia. I'll test drive a Kia next week and probably give you a better answer. |
maplegrovemusic471 posts03-20-2016 8:47pmKnghifi - Do you realize if you and another person are present when you are swapping cables that the two of might not agree what sounds "better" between the two of you ? One can simply comprehend the differences between a kia and a porsche . The labor hours and the materials in the cars is evident . That cannot be said between quality cables of a high value and a modest valueEven with cars, it's still a matter of personal preference. I know many prefers a softer and more comfortable ride than a Porsche. I know someone replaced his 911 with an automatic Cadillac convertible. Yikes! Bottom line to this STUPID thread is everything comes down to personal preference and who am I or anyone to judge their decision? It's their money so they do as they please. Spend $150,000 on cables or $100. |
jl35933 posts03-21-2016 3:33pmI agree that auto performance is easier to measure than audio performance... Why can't you get specs from the cable companies and buy strictly on superior specs? Capacitance, Impedance ... Remember Julian Hirsch? Like cables, I don't buy a car strictly on performance spec. Spec is just 1 parameter. |
chrshanl37317 posts03-21-2016 3:22pmCleeds where did I use the word preference? I am talking strictly performance. Things that can be measured hello!!!!! Handling, braking, acceleration. This is not a subjective difterence. You don’t get behind a wheel of a Kia and watch the porche pass you and say to your self.....hmm this Kia is kicking the crap out of that porche.Your criteria for superior is performance but someone else might choose ride comfort, size of car ... it’s personal preference. Same with cables, superior can be more detail, bloom ... You can also measure cables too ... Hello!!! and buy strictly on specs. BTW, it’s Porsche. |
Yea, forget the PERFORMANCE specs but will it appreciate like a Rolex? :-):-) |
