2. cables
  3. 128927-305

Most Important, Unloved Cable...

Ethernet. I used to say the power cord was the most unloved, but important cable. Now, I update that assessment to the Ethernet cable. Review work forthcoming. 

I can't wait to invite my newer friend who is an engineer who was involved with the construction of Fermilab, the National Accelerator Lab, to hear this! Previously he was an overt mocker; no longer. He decided to try comparing cables and had his mind changed. That's not uncommon, as many of you former skeptics know. :)

I had my biggest doubts about the Ethernet cable. But, I was wrong - SO wrong! I'm so happy I made the decision years ago that I would try things rather than simply flip a coin mentally and decide without experience. It has made all the difference in quality of systems and my enjoyment of them. Reminder; I settled the matter of efficacy of cables years before becoming a reviewer and with my own money, so my enthusiasm for them does not spring from reviewing. Reviewing has allowed me to more fully explore their potential.  

I find fascinating the cognitive dissonance that exists between the skeptical mind in regard to cables and the real world results which can be obtained with them. I'm still shaking my head at this result... profoundly unexpected results way beyond expectation. Anyone who would need an ABX for this should exit the hobby and take up gun shooting, because your hearing would be for crap.  
douglas_schroeder
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
These conversations often leave me wondering, what does any of this have to do with enjoying recorded music? On another note, Doug, great response, a classic example of objective vs subjective philosophy. It’s another aspect of what makes this hobby so enjoyable, folks with different perspectives.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Well , a Jetta will get you to point A to B as well as a Bentley or any other vehicle .
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
schubert, so from your response I take it that the condition of the experience riding from point A to B is immaterial. We here at Audiogon are engaging in what is supposed to be a highly aesthetically pleasing activity. We have too many people attempting to declare that mediocrity is supremely good. I disagree. :) Will a Jetta get you to the location "as well" in terms of the experience? I don't want a luxury auto, but I do want a luxury system and listening experience. :) 

tubegroover, at least for me what it has to do with music is the quality of the sound dictating the perception of reality, and consequently the enjoyment. 
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Music is an inherent , built in  hard-wired element of being human in all places in all times .
Riding down a concrete strip in a machine is not .
The former is important, the latter is not .
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 

schubert, the sense of exploration/travel I suggest is also, "an inherent , built in  hard-wired element of being human in all places in all times," as well. How it is conducted, by walking, bicycle, train, plane, or car varies.

You suggest that music is an inherent , built in  hard-wired element of being human in all places in all times. I agree. How it is conducted/enjoyed varies just as travel, by instruments, voice, performing, being an audience, or technologically listening to it reproduced.

In other words, I find your analogy faulty, as both impulses, the car driver and the audiophile, use technology. Tell a person with a 3 hour commute each day that the experience of driving is not important. Perhaps for you and me it is not, but that is not so for all drivers.

Similarly, perhaps it's not important for you to have a technologically advanced audiophile experience. But that is not the case for many such as myself who wish not to simply get from point A to B in terms of listening as cheaply as possible and without a high regard to the aesthetics of the experience.

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