Do I need an expensive digital cable?

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! 

I enjoy a $50 Bluetooth speaker 

becomes 

cheers to @audphile1 sitting on his deck with a cigar and a $60 speaker

between just two posts.  That's inflation for you 

You might like to test Supra Trico. It beats many cables up to $1000. Another excellent-value cable is the Audioquest Carbon.