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A fresh approach to cable analysis

Here’s an interesting idea that I wish someone would do. Start a YouTube channel in which you take full range of power cords, interconnects, and speaker wire ranging from cheap to top-of-the-line and carefully dissect them and expose how they are constructed and with what. In the past, we have been through all the arguments about measurements and subjective evaluation, and that gets us nowhere. I think, looking at the physical construction of these chords, which I assume almost no one ever does, especially on the more expensive ones, would produce some surprising results and really be hard to argue with. I’m sure manufacturers would hate this idea, but I don’t think there’s any way legally that they could challenge it. 

bruce19
bjesien
1,436 posts
 

Many years ago I did some work for a high end dealer that sold all kind cables including Nordost. Part of our agreement was to be paid in audio gear which he agreed to, at cost. 

I acquired a full loom of Frey 2 cables including the QX4 and QB8. Now over time my family became accustomed to me breaking in speakers, buying and selling, etc. We had "game" of cable changing for a few months- one of use would change something and not tell the other- Purist entry cable or Monster. Most of the time after evening listening sessions the change would become noticeable. 

I'd say about an 8-10% improvement from cables. Who cares if you buy them or not, but this is my experience from somewhat of a blind test. 

I no longer have the loom. I ended up selling it for other upgrades and I'm glad I did. I can't say that spending the money matter- to some here $10,000 is a lot, for others it's a rounding error. 

phd
1,346 posts
 

If you are not hearing any differences in cabling than you don't have a very revealing system or you are hard of hearing. Audiophiles rely upon cables to fine tune their system since most are not using tone controls. As far as construction goes, that would indicate the quality of the cable itself but certainly not the quality of the sound produced. It just like it used to be, trial and error the best cable is the one that produces the sound you want to hear in your system and in your listening room. 

gdaddy1
500 posts
 

@phd  If you are not hearing any differences in cabling than you don't have a very revealing system or you are hard of hearing. 

This dogma is repeated over and over with no proof of validity.

Can you explain why cables when tested on machines that go far veyond human hearing show NO difference? What could it be that could possibly cause the difference you hear that the test equiptment doesn't? Your ears or your sytem are MORE revealing than the test equiptment?

Here's a recent test of a $7 cable vs. a $4000 cable and there's no difference. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjvgL9_zL80

gdaddy1
500 posts
 

The real genius are the people who are selling a $7 cable for $4000. 

parkergetdean
1,040 posts
 

when I run out of space for 100K speakers, I buy 10K cables.

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