Do I need an expensive digital cable?

@devinplombier 

I think part of the problem is that most of us read reviewers on various pieces of equipment. Most of what I read about is not avalable in my area, and I'd have to drive hundreds of miles or fly somewhere to test out the equipment.

But worse than that, the reviewers seem to have all sorts of expensive equipment lying around to try in the system they're reviewing. "When I put in the $50,000 mono amps then I had the power the speakers were hungry for." Who has a $50K set of amps, or even a second amp lying around to test speakers with.

Then they have all sorts of cables. "I put in the Nordost Vallhala's and that really brought the system to life." Right! If I had Nordost Vallhalas they wouldn't be lying around.

We are all constrained by so many variables. Money, of course, but also access to equipment we've read about. It can be a bit crazy making. However, the bottom line is the music and we all have to remember that. I have enjoyed music on a very inexpensive system, because that's all I had to enjoy the music on. And I have always wanted the music. Even when I had a cheap transistor radio with a plastic earphone. (Just one earphone!) It's always been about the music.

@audio-b-dog 

I merely admired the fact that @emergingsoul told an unadorned truth, namely that most audiophiles spend money to make themselves feel better, and stopped short of the usual "it sounds better to my ears / the difference is not subtle / you get what you pay for"-type of flimsy, fig-leaf rationales by which audiophiles sublimate their profligacy.

A majority of folks claiming grandiose claims about the sound quality of their cables clearly do not have the systems and / or the hearing that are prerequisites to making such claims.

I enjoy a $50 Bluetooth speaker when I sit on my deck with a cigar and a beverage. Foot tapping and everything to my favorite tunes. 
Does that mean that I should sell my system and just keep using that Bluetooth speaker?

 

devinplombier

1,429 posts

02-26-2026 at 04:22pm 

I find that if you spend a little bit more money you feel better and that's probably really gonna be important.

I could've used some cheap RCA cables that I had for my TV set a while back to connect my system and maybe they would've been ok. But it would've always bothered me so I spent more and I feel fine.

@emergingsoul in two sentences you have brilliantly distilled the self-delusion out of and redefined the audiophile zeitgeist as it stands at the onset of the 2nd quarter of this century.

What is this exuberant deciphering of some random dude’s opinion?
 

Are we still talking about a hobby here? Who are you to define or redefine anything? Are you kidding me?

@devinplombier 

I'm 79 and I've had a stereo since I was 15. A Sears Silvertone suitcase stereo that cost $100. I took it to college and loved it, as did my friends who had no stereo.

I rue the day I moved next door to another audiophile who had me compare wires. I told him I couldn't hear the difference, but afte a while I could hear the difference. I can hear small differences unfortunately clearly. And I now have what most audiophiles would call a decent system. No huge Boulder mono amps. My listening room is only 18 x 22. My Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V speakers are about as big as this room can comfortably handle. My audiophile neighbor bought speakers so large they shook his windows and made me laugh. Outloud!

Seriously, though, I think there are two parts to this hobby. First, I do believe, it begins with loving music. Second, has to do with  your wallet and budget setting abilities. A sub section to the second part is whether you live with a partner who shares money with you. 

At one point or another in an audiophile's life, I think we're all going to be stupid. Mid audiophile career, I was very seduced by boated midrange and bass. Thus, I bought an ARC LS 22 whose voluptous midrange got me. It took me about a year to realize that it had a bloated bass and crispy treble. I think mistakes are what teach us the most.

So, cheers to @audphile1 sitting on his deck with a cigar and a $60 speaker. I also enjoy music wherever I can find it. Not to say that I don't from time to time sit back and luxuriate in this fine stereo that it's taken me so long to assemble.

@audio-b-dog you have a nice stereo and your ears work. Enjoy the music!
Those who buy expensive cables to feel better even though they can’t hear the difference and think no one else can, enjoy your purchase!