audiophile folklore - cables and claims from manufacturers

frank009 

The laws of nature and the laws of electricity do not permit wire from sounding different, unless it is is damaged or defective.

What exactly are these "laws" that you reference? Maybe you should get together with that "writer" Doug who created "Laws of HiFi." Perhaps you can get those laws cast in stone for the benefit of those who wish to follow your unshakable faith.

@cleeds 

mister cleeds! 

You again, the ultimate pontificator! 

Read my most recent discussion post. 

You will find a lot of good information in there. The trouble is, if you are not open to accepting new information, you will believe the lies of the past. If you are - then a world of possibilities becomes available. For example, building your system around observable psychoacoustics, applied science, and human hearing. 

No matter how good you may think your system is, is it LIMITED by your BIOLOGY. If you were a dolphin then perhaps what you are using may sound better.

Folklore? - I like to believe it's Science

After 12 years of developing my own cables, listening to them for hundreds of hours and comparing the latest design to previous design, here's what I have observed by listening to a set of tracks over and over.

Each track was selected to highlight different aspects in the music e.g.

• bass performance 
• dynamic performance
• details
• image
• space between instruments (an extension of image)
• venue acoustics 
• etc.

Of course some tracks will reveal improvements in more that one of these aspects, but in general I try to select a track in order to discern only one of these aspects.

I have about 45 test tracsks and some of them overlap with other tracks in a particular aspect. e.g. drums are a good test of dynamics, but so is electronic music.

So here is a link to a thread that details some of the basic technical aspects of good cable design that impacts how a cable might sound...

• What I have found - Makes a good Cable !

Regards - Steve

I manufacture bespoke power Cables and the original comment about using them as tone controls is reasonable, for example it is the reason many turntables are chosen over others. Correctly designed cables allow devices to work properly with simple influence such as sufficient flow to enable the device to work fully and behave correctly with longevity such as accurate thermal venting, which prolongs product life. I am very proud of what I do and the lengths I go to. One guy said he would rather go without Breakfast for ever and have one of my designs. Which says a lot.

@frank009 

May I politely suggest that you ease up on your viewpoints on cables? You’re new here - which is great. But it seems you have an axe to grind and your arguments are not actually supported by science - but rather your understanding of the science.

I wrote the following in a previous post, but it seems worth repeating:

Several system iterations ago, I auditioned balanced interconnects at my local dealer first and then in system and I was astounded at the easily identifiable differences. I suspect everyone interested in this thread would have easily heard those differences. However, my current systems are much, much better (and vastly more resolving) and the differences in ICs is essentially non-existent. I am unsure if there is any difference whatsoever. I literally just tested this again.  

I’m not sure if it’s a matter of whether a system is resolving enough. I think it might be how that equipment is designed. 

Likewise, my current systems are less affected by power cords. While there is some difference, few would claim it night and day between my Valhalla 2 cords and stock. I suspect (but am not sure) if I had tube gear, differences would be far more significant here. 

About 15 years ago, I put some Analysis plus biwire cables in my system (low end in their range) and remembering being truly gobsmacked (love that word!) by a difference I could hear from the next room over the “audiophile” vampire wire it replaced. Night and day.

Today I am running what some would consider SOTA/TOTL speaker cables on my primary speakers. However, I needed to swap in some other cables (Analysis plus again but much higher up their line) when I was getting things sorted out in my new room. Is there a difference between the two other than the 5 digit spread in price? Yes. While I prefer the better cable, I could live with either. 

Let me summarize: I have experienced that cables can matter greatly and cables can matter very little so I don’t think I am deluding myself.

I also don’t think conclusions should be drawn from the experiences of others. System topology, power quality and who knows what else are factors at play that are different for every one of us.

Deniers and believers alike should be skeptical of their deeply held beliefs and give some space for the rest of us to enjoy our hobby without sneering or sniping. I think the best advice is to try in your own system and be open to what your ears tell you. It seems clear to me the science of this isn’t clear at all. Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. There appear to be no absolutes.

My $.03 (inflation).