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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
frank009's avatar
frank009 OP
195 posts
 

On the same note, some of the best " sounding" cables on earth continue to exist on aliexpress at a cost anyone can afford.

That’s right. @deep_333 

Properly-made cables are sold on aliexpress. I’ve used them before switching over to world’s best cables out of curiosity. The reason I stayed with World’s Best Cables was/is for their warranty. It’s really class leading. I gave the aliepress cables away to a friend who was building his first system, and he still uses them without any issues. There was no consistent or repeatable improvement in sound quality. Both sets sounded just as good and not broken or defective. 

As I’ve said many times before - the electronics make the biggest difference of all. Even before your speakers, might I add.

kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
408 posts
 

@frank009 

I'll chime in for WBC also. I bought quite a few balanced cables many years back. Quality stuff.

Since then, I've begun building my own. This way I can control length, and keep capacitance to a minimum.

I use Belden 1505F double shielded coax video cable (17pf/ft) for unbalanced and Mogami 2552 for balanced. I always use Neutrik or Rean for connectors. My DIY cables work great providing low loss with robust shielding. 

A six foot pair of either kind costs me less than $50 in parts and an hour of labor. Pride in accomplishment - priceless. 

 

devinplombier
1,657 posts
 

+1 @kevemaher 

 

frank009's avatar
frank009 OP
195 posts
 

@kevemaher 

That’s exactly what you should do if you want custom cables.

I can undertand the sense of accomplishment. I sometimes enjoy painting rooms in the house if the Wife and decide a change should be made, so no need to call the painter.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
2,397 posts
 

@frank009, I Robot!

Mike

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