which cables have you listened and how do they fair in comparison to stock/low end cables? is it possible to describe the change in tonality or sound quality?
I've listened to the ADZ-5 and Q-audio cable with the LCD2 rev2 for a while on loan a while back. Obviously I don't have much experience so I'm not arguing specifically on the subject of cables, but against the fact that Head Injury is making such bold presumptions and projecting his opinion onto others that are not so knowledgeable yet. I don't know if he's heard any high-end cables before, but I don't think that's right.
I've also listened to different quality interconnects with gear. So far to me -I'm not too experienced in describing what I hear- that the Q-Audio cable opens up the sound, and the best way I can summarize this to you that makes sense for people who don't know moon-speak, is that it's like a veil is lifted from the sound. There's not a complete breathtaking change, but I can definitely hear it well enough to say it's worth the $200. It's also ergonomically, astronomically better. I can probably say, the ADZ-5 is like having dirty smudged glasses, and the Q-Audio cable is like having the glasses cleaned with a cloth.
Now, these aren't exactly 'high-end' like those multi-thousand dollar cables, but I was sold on dumping my ADZ-5/6 when it came.
Similar products : Q-Audio, Double Helix Cables Nucleotide, and Norse Audio Norn.
As for interconnects, as I confirmed with a couple experienced people on head-fi, the shorter it is, the less difference it makes, whether it's a $300 Piccolino, or a $70 regular upOCC copper.
Please do note that all of the above is purely subjective, and it's all just "in my experience, and what I heard"
