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audiophile folklore - cables and claims from manufacturers

The cable debate.

Cables make a difference, sure. 

But SHOULD they?

I have been grappling with this question for the better part of 20 years! 

Fanatical claims from manufacturers, talking about how their cables will improve your system in specific ways, sonically. 

More accurate bass, cleaner midrange sounds, treble resolution... etc. soundstage and imaging, you get the idea.

The fundamental disconnect is - they have never heard YOUR system! 

So then, how do they know what their cables will sound like in your system. Not to mention, astronomical prices on some of these interconnects. The wilder the claims, the higher the cost.

The behavior we should be looking for is passing on the signal, with as little losses as possible. That can be done relatively cheaply, with well made professional interconnects that cost less than 100 dollars in most cases.

If you could build an audio system (all of it) from thrift store finds and cables really did make that much of a difference, then wouldn’t the sound quality scale that way?

It seems many audiophiles I know are in denial. And even worse, some use cables as TONE controls! This is where audiophoolery becomes a religion. Audio dealers promote it, because it impacts their bottom line! 

frank009
steakster
2,169 posts
 
kevemaher 

Electricity and Magnetism are settled Physics. There will be no new discoveries in this field of endeavor

LOL.   Our pittance of knowledge doesn’t come close to explaining: This phenomenon.

- - -

Apparently, some EE’s don’t know the difference between Electrical Laws and Electrical Theory. 

 

Electrical Laws = 8-10.  Depending on how you count.  Some are intertwined with others.

  • 3 basic circuit laws (Ohm + 2 Kirchhoff laws)
  • 4 Maxwell equations
  • Plus Coulomb, Faraday, Lenz, Ampère, Gauss, etc.

Electrical Theory:  Includes many multiples of:

  • Models
  • Principles
  • Behaviors

Which are not proven as laws.

- - - 

Lots more to learn.   Many more discoveries ahead.

deep_333
2,434 posts
 

Copper is for peasants sweating behind the plough.

I use a special cable concoction of silver and carbon nanotubes fit only for an emperor like me. My general executed the druids who made it for me...so they can never do such a thing for any other wannabe.

The behavior we should be looking for is passing on the signal, with as little losses as possible. That can be done relatively cheaply, with well made professional interconnects that cost less than 100 dollars in most cases.

frank009's avatar
frank009 OP
177 posts
 

Some good posts here. And I appreciate the satire.

dill
2,634 posts
 

I think you are confusing "satire" with sarcasm ...

kennyc
2,876 posts
 

@steakster - good post

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