"World's Best Cables" vs Audioquest interconnects


I've heard many great things about "World's Best Cables". At such low price, these alleged giant killers are a no brainer, so I ordered two pairs. When the shipment arrived, I connected one pair from my phono stage to my preamp, and another pair from my preamp to my power amp.

These cables replaced my trusty old Audioquest interconnects.

First listening impressions: extremely lean sound. Details etched in space, almost as if a strong laser beam is outlining them.

Santana I, side 1: almost unlistenable. The highs are piercing, the soundstage is flat, the splash cymbals sound like trash cans. Made my head hurt.

Switching back to my Audioquest cables: my god, what a relief! The sound is back to its good old sound of music. Everything sounds natural again.

Now, the "World's Best Cables" come with the users manual that claims that the cables need to be burned in for 175 hours. Should I give them the benefit of the doubt and suffer 175 hours, or is that just an audio myth about cables burn-in?

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crazybookman

Do all cables sound the same?  Uh no

Do measurements tell the whole story?  Nah

Are most cables a variation on a theme or at worst, new age snake oil?  Most, some more than others

Are there manufacturers who have been around since the beginning of the High End audio cable markets inception?  Why yes there are…specifically MIT and Transparent.  They were music lovers who wanted to improve the way audio signals were propagated from one component to another.  They used science and experimentation to improve signal transfer and increase their enjoyment of reproduced sound.  These cables do sound different, but most of all, they deliver cables that can allow anyones system to sound more realistic, more dynamic and full of life with superior low level detail, a richer more textured midrange and deeper, more well controlled and defined bottom end.

So is wire just wire?  Kinda, unless your using cables that are purposely designed to enhance the transmission of the delicate audio signal you might as well use coat hangers.

 

Sadly, cable "break in" is real. You don't have to understand WHY to know that the phenomenon is real. I use 50 conductor flat computer cables (remember the old hard drive cables ? - only with 50 silver plated copper wires) for speaker cables. They "break in" in about two hours. In the first half hour, the sound changes radically; it is a wonder to hear. At first, it seems that the two speakers they feed are connected out of phase. I was sure I had done something wrong. I shut down the system and checked out my connections. They were fine. I turned everything back on and continued listening. An amazing swirl of audio shifts occurred for quite a while. The worst was over in 30 minutes or so and in the next 90 minutes the sound got smoother and smoother. A friend is using a set of these cables on his Martin-Logan electrostats (McIntosh power amps) and says they are the best he's  heard. I use TV coax for some interconnects and 300 ohm twinlead for some other low impedance interconnects and the "between components" cables don't change much in time. A certain company claims that their wires need 600 hours of "break in." Long enough that the "you can send them back for a full refund" period is over. USB cables have proven to be critical and I don't try to make them. The best I've found are Zavfino's from Canada (when used between a laptop and PreBox S2 Digital). DACs seem to be very fussy about their cables and what works well for one may not suit a different DAC. Happy Listening!

 

You do not have to "suffer listening" during the break-in period.  Since the cables are connected ahead of the power amp, the amplifier does not have to be turned on.  You will have to suffer changing or restarting the records.  If you have a tuner or cd player that can do repeat play that could do for the pre to power amp cables.  You will have set the volume level to your normal setting or maybe slightly above.

I understand that you replace both phono in and pre out at the same time.  After the break-in, I suggest replacing just one set with your Audioquest cables.  Possibly choose the best combination for your likings.

However, my experience with breaking-in cables.  They are very subtle.  I don't think Hideous to Glorious will be realized,  

Works Best Cables makes several different interconnects, I've never liked that cabe  you have. Try the Gotham GAC 4/1 interconnect with the locking RCAs for about $80. Might change your mind. Their digital Coax is also very good. Dont like their speaker cables. 

I use both Audioquest and World's Best cables interconnects between my components. I use them interchangeably, capriciously, depending on what length I have to hand. Do my choices impact my listening? Not at all. Did I need to break in the newest of these cables. No. Are there far more important elements to consider in my audio chain. Yes.