To All Cable Deniers, 1 Very Simple Question.

@bigtwin I caught some nasty virus that feels like covid but doesn’t get registered by my old expired home covid test. Do covid tests matter? Did anyone compare them to see which one sounds best? Lol

Just now recovering and heading to the gym and will start on stretches next week.

We got the battle of AIs going here….what could possibly be more entertaining? Hehehe (asked Gemini to create the boxing match image below)

cable atheist here: every penny I would have put in cables (100s of dollars) I have invested in speakers, amplifiers, DACs, turntables and cartridges. The day I pay more than a 100 dollars for a cable is when I need to get not my hearing but my brain checked.  

Cables are like politics: there are very, very few people with whom you can have an intelligent conversation. Usually it’s not even worth trying. They used to say it’s lonely being at the top, nowadays it’s lonely being at the center.

@devinplombier to your point: I think there are a lot of people at the center. They just don't have much to say on the subject. I am not denying anything about cables: if they make a difference for others, good for them (and the cable factories)

But let's first have nicely matched components.

Blind instantaneous comparisons between anything but speakers are meaningless. As many have explained before me, it takes time and experience to hear subtle differences and many people don't hear them at all. 

When I started out recording music 50 years ago, it took a few years and countless hours to hear differences between microphones, preamps, equalizers, compressors, etc. And then even more experience to hear differences between otherwise identical microphones and have my favorites. 

Long time audiophiles go through a similar process of learning to hear differences that most people don't notice, even with prompting. Whether it's turntables, cartridges, cables, amps, tubes, etc. everything has its distinct sound if you can hear it. 

So rather than use your inability to hear as a cudgel against those who can, you might consider learning to listen better. It will be very rewarding if you can accomplish that.