Cables differences

[darkclouds]

Maybe CrescendoP is right.

I simply feel, for now anyways, that cables changes are very subtle and most decent to higher price esoterics are going to be more or less, the same. So, until I become wealthy and can afford to throw a bit of money around, I will not be looking for that 1% increase in quality via $700/pair of cables.

 

[Vertigo-1]

Crescendo is quite right. Certain systems will simply be more revealing of cable differences than others. In my current system, I can literally A/B just-arrived cables and be able to pick out differences that are spot on. Prior to this system...I could listen to cables for a month and still feel iffy about whether I heard any differences or not.

For the most part, all the cable changes I've tried have made with my current system have had rather dramatic effects. And as I scaled up in price, those effects increased, usually for the better, and enough that I just simply couldn't, and wouldn't live with a cheaper cable just to get by.

I agree with pigmode that a quick way to hear differences between cables is to compare silver and copper based cables. I don't think that one could fail you. Night and day difference between those two to these ears as well.

 

[millerdog]

My audio dealer said silver was the way to go. But I am poor so never tried it. I've read that silver is the best conductor for music.
md

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally posted by millerdog My audio dealer said silver was the way to go. But I am poor so never tried it. I've read that silver is the best conductor for music. md

Not always. I've got some amps that interact poorly with silver cables, for reasons of their own. Got to try it on a case by case basis. The VD Nites, which are copper, have a dynamic range that I haven't matched with a silver cable yet.

 

[pigmode]

Quote:

Originally posted by darkclouds The thought of dropping several hundred dollars into a meter or two of cables just makes me crinch. For now, I'd rather put that money on some other components. Of course, unless I am find that I can actually hear an absolute improvement with certain cables before actually putting out the money for them first.

I tend to agree. I've come to a point where I'd rather keep my cable budget in line with and subordinate to my component budget. Heck, I still have a stock power cord on my SET amp.

Quote:

My audio dealer said silver was the way to go. But I am poor so never tried it. I've read that silver is the best conductor for music.

Yup, system synergy and personal preferences the main factors to consider.

 

[dariusf]

I have done very little experimentation with cables so far and only in my headphone rig since this is the rig I concentrated on in the past year or more. Initially my headphone setup did not justify investment in cables but after building up the setup I decided to replace my basic Radio Shock Gold cables with something hopefully better. After some research I have decided to get a pair of Outlaw cables. I have burned in the cables as many on this forum recommended. I experienced the burning deference in headphones and amplifiers before so there can be something to it. I just didn't have the time or the technical background to investigate this in depth.

Cables I compared (interconnects):

1. Some cheep cables
2. Some basic Monster cables I got long time ago
3. Radio Shack Gold series
4. Outlaw

Rig at that time: NAD 522, Creek OBH11 SE, Grado 325, Senn 580

Results:

I could not tell any deference between cable 1,2 and 3, but comparing all these cables to the Outlaw, there was definitely a small deference. It was not totally apparent on all recordings and all the time but I'm totally convinced it is definitely there. It was also more or less audible with varies combination of headphones and sources I tried.

Conclusions:

I definitely believe there are differences in cables even if the ones I have heard are very small. It is VERY dependent on the equipment used both quality and combinations, hearing ability and source material. I strongly believe (using pure logic) that the audible deference between cables will increase as the quality of the other components in the chain increases even if I can't explain it with measurements or scientifically. You can't expect to be able to hear the deference in cables if your equipment is junk. First invest in the other components and then try a few cables for your self. If you can tell the deference great if not then save your self some cash but don't try to convince others that what they are hearing is not there. I'm planning to do more tests, some blind, with the upgraded lineup of equipment I now have and few of my friends. Hopefully this will include sources, amplifiers, headphones, IC's, and speaker wire. Should be fun