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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
macg19
1,340 posts
 

@gbmcleod I'm still using Zavfino Fusion ICs for DAC and phono, Acoustic Zen Hologram II speaker cables.

Power cable for my T+A integrated is Voodoo Infinity.

Sounds like you have some nice gear!

Everything is listed in my virtual system.

kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
408 posts
 

@steakster 

Don't trust me. Check out what Sean Carroll the cosmologist has to say,.

I stand by my statement.

kerrybh
675 posts
 

I invested in good cables and I think they matter, but not like adding a new component as some believe. I understand the logical case made by those who think they don't matter and we can all peacefully coexist. I pay no attention to manufacturers claims about cables-they pretty much all make the same claims. I think Audioquest makes good cables and, of course, they tout them. But Audioquest also tells us their $500 cable risers make a big difference, so I can't take their claims seriously even though I like some of their products. No offense if you love their $500 cable risers-each to their own-I'm happy with my $14 for a big bag full of rebar chairs. I also don't much credit the major mag reviews of cables because I've never read one that said a particular cable made no difference, or no more different than a less expensive cable. Every review of high end cables I've read gush about the blacker background, wider deeper soundstage, and more inner detail. So, I just have tried a few different cables and I perceive that what I have now is a subtle but real improvement over what I had before, and a good match for my system. A couple of others I tried were fine, but no better than what I had. Nothing scientific, just my perception. Each to their own-enjoy the music.

deep_333
2,434 posts
 

I have 60 dollar aliexpress nordost that sounds great. Nordost got these from Asia for 30 bucks a pop and set the price tag at 14k for you great patriots. 

I've never heard top-tier Nordost in my system. I had purple flare interconnects and speaker cables a few years ago. I don't doubt the top-tier is good - my local dealer runs them almost exclusively in all his demo systems - I am sure for good reason

seymour-krelborn
121 posts
 

@frank009 

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! 

Audio dealers promote the above?

Please name two dealers.

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