Cables more hype than value?


What are the opinions out there?
tobb
"Rok2id..what does your system consist of..?.."

Polk Lsi15 speakers
Sony XDR-1FHD HD Tuner
Marantz SA8001 SACD player
Marantz PM7200 Integrated Amp 95/155 wpc 8/4ohms
Blue Jeans 10awg speaker cable 6ft runs Overkill!
Monster ICs 4ft

Thanks for your interest. I think :)
I once asked a very knowledgeable member for advice and he, being a very nice guy, said he was 'not familiar' with my equipment. I still LOL everytime I think of that. Even right now!

Cheers
Rok2id, Mr Randi's challenge is, as you allude to, was not about cables, but fear of failure. If I remember, correct me if I am wrong, you had to get 10 out of 10 changes correct.

A man was told to walk across a 10' long 2x4 which was laying on the ground for $20. He did so easily and collected his money. The board was then put across a 10' gap 10 stories high. He was told to walk across it again for the same money and he refused. It was the same easy walk, but the consequences of failure were higher.

I, and you too, could probably get close to 10 out of 10 with a fast/bright silver cable and a slow/ warm cable, but maybe I will get confused and fall 10 stories. It says nothing about the cables, just my fear.

Tobb, the cheap cables may sound better in your system ( lucky guy), but not in all systems. Reread what Al wrote. I'm glad you CAN hear the difference though. ;)
Acman3

Thanks for giving the chance to clarify my thoughts on wire.

The failure I alluded to in my previous post, refered to the reviewer at stereophile accepting the challenge to do the wire thingy, and then backing out. I do not know the details. I just postulated, that if he could not ID wire, how could he ever be a reviewer for a publication that believes in wire and in which he has many times tested, reviewed and sang the praises of many wire products. He would have lost his position / status in the audiophile community. You are right. The price of failure would have been high. And he didn't need perfection, just any rsult above guessing. The test is, can humans hear wire, not just one guru. Perfection was not required.

This challenge thing has been around for many years. It's nothing new. BUT, you cannot PROVE a negative. I cannot prove that I cannot hear wire. You can prove that you do hear wire. Therefore, the burden of proof in the wire debate is on those that say they CAN hear wire. And no one has proved it as of yet. No one is obligated to do so. But the fact reminds that no one has.

Back in the day, the definition of a perfect amp was, a straight piece of wire with gain. That means, the wire is just there to carry the signal. it adds nothing and takes away nothing. And if you could get gain, that is perfection! Of course no such amp exists. But that would be the 'perfect' amp. All you would have is a signal traveling thru wire and magically having an increase in amplitude. No noise / distortion. Nothing!

NOW, we don't need some guy with a challenge and a million bucks. We can all do this at home. Just have a person that lives with you, change or not change your wire everyday. It must be so you cannot SEE any difference. Both of you keep notes. Compare notes after a week, a month, a year or even a decade. Then you will KNOW if you can hear wire. You can even listen to the same CD/LP which should give you an advantage. To make it even fairer, use the best audiophile wire avaliable vs say, 10awg blue jeans. Take your time there is no rush. See how often you picked the correct wire, or could even tell when the wire had been changed!

This is getting sort of long, so to close.

Think about human hearing. Think about hearing at certain ages. Think about hearing these so-called differences while music is being played. Think that seldom does one say wire sounds better, just different. How does guru wire change your listening perception of your copy of Beethoven's 9th, as opposed to the non guru wire? Just think. Remember people cannot even ID different amps and cd players with all the components involved. How can they ID a simple piece of wire?
And lastly. How do the scam artists explain the reasons for all these benefits of their product? What do they do to the wire to make your soundstage wider? Change freq response?
Sorry I was so long winded. I could go on, but won't. Unless you have questions.

Cheers
Rok2id..'think about hearing these so-called difference while music is being played'......i will assure you i can hear any and every change in my system when i add or change cables..why..because it is a highly resolving system and it is the only one i listen to day after day.if you are speaking from experience as to your not being able to hear the diffenece in your system then it just might be that YOUR system is not resolving enough to hear differences in cables.'scam artists'....that's pretty harsh. there are hundreds, if not thousands, of cable companies each one trying to create a better cable.'scam artists'...i think not!..is Porsche a 'scam artist when all they make are $100k + automobiles when you could easily buy a Kia.?...i will assure you you will know the difference when you drive both.
The level of cynicism directed at those who believe they can hear differences in cables that others can't, or won't, is a fascinating phenomenon to me. It must be rooted in some kind of personal insecurity on the part of those who can' or won't; and in the case of the most common targets, audio reviewers, my long-held belief in "reviewer envy". Here, again, we have one more example of the cynics (Rok) jumping on an opportunity to put down a believer or reviewer. The question that I find most interesting is: Why does it matter so much to the non-believers, that others believe?

The details of the Randi challenge, as described above, are totally incorrect. I think that Acman is correct in that the motivation for withdrawal of the challenge was probably "fear of failure", but for reasons that are not so obvious. The facts are (were) these:

It was NOT Fremer (reviewer) who backed out of the challenge. The first obstacle was put up by (surprise!) Randi, who refused to let Fremer use his own reference cables (the logical choice) for comparison. Randi expressed a concern that Fremer's cables might be "tweaked" to provide Fremer with "cues" for their identity. Then, after some other nonsense put up by Randi, it was Pear (?) Cable's chief who then refused to supply the cables for comparison to some cheap Monster cable in a double blind test. You see, Randi's challenge was not about wether someone could distinguish between two sets of cables. It was supposed to be about wether someone could tell cheap Monster cable from a specific multi-thousand $ cable of Randi's choosing; I think it was Pear Cable.
Double Blind Testing is nothing more than a parlor trick devised by people with an agenda. We've all known "friends" who for some reason never warmed to stereo like we did. Detraction started early for me as I went deeper into this hobby and those that didn't share my joy drifted away from stereo and me, some completely.

Denial of the benefits of upgrading was mitigated by anger and resentment, yet some chose to stick around assuming the role of a self appointed ref of sorts. That only served to weaken the friendship as no one wants detractors hanging around which only strengthened their resentment. It never failed to amaze me just how people can separate themselves from others over such a small a matter as taste in a hobby.

All the best,
Nonoise
Hi Bo1972, you know I have to agree with you once more!,your post from 2-18-13 here,,this forum is kida, wow!are you kidding!, you know what I mean Bo?I soppose there is alot of people out there that have not been exposed to all the possiblitys of cables like the both of us have Bo!happy listening!
By now you already can find that with the cables we only equalizing our systems and nothing more. Therefore there is no any absolute cable and thus no any absolute truth. We can hear differences in the sound and than what? What will happen once you will change any part of system? Yes, new cable will be necessary, and so on and on. I’m right now in mode to sale out my very expensive PCs (5500 USD/pc) which were replaced with bargain ones (200 USD/pc). I did same thing already earlier with ICs. That easy is how you can feel stupid.
@ rok2id,Hi, I do not want to make you angry like some of the other people on this forum,so please excuse me,It seems no one wants to be honest with you cause they are being respectful of you as I will be,cables do make a huge difference,to me they should out perform the componets and speakers thus costing more than the system if you will,here is the problem thou,you have to have a very resolving,very high-end system of at least $10,000.00 and up to here the effects of your better,trusted,brands of cables out there,,my system is near $70,000.00, mostly the high cost of cables,they are that important to me,do I agree with the cost of esoteric cables?,of course not!,or alot of other things such as speakers,the system you have is a hi-fi system that you will in no way hear what good quality cables can do,It is not a high-end system and that is the problem, not a good brand of cables such as, Taralabs,nordost,stealth audio,transparent,lessloss,purist audio,kimber cable,synjestic research,there is a few more to name,but I believe these will do,I know it takes money and time to obtain a real high-end system,LoL,exspensive hobby!,I do not wish disrespect to you sir,and I am not bashing what you have ither,I feel someone needed to tell you this about the system you are trying to hear cable differences with,you will not!,you have to obtain a quality amp like Krell,passlabs,audioresearch,boulder,just to name a few,the amp is a good start!,as a matter of fact,if you had eanyone of these amps and use what you have,well,to put it in better words and use one of the brands of cables I mentioned above,you will be shocked to say the least of what cables really do!,as I said,please excuse me and I'm sorry if I intimidated you in eany way sir,,Happy listening to all!
By now you already can find that with the cables we only equalizing our systems and nothing more. Therefore there is no any absolute cable and thus no any absolute truth. We can hear differences in the sound and than what? What will happen once you will change any part of system? Yes, new cable will be necessary, and so on and on. I’m right now in mode to sale out my very expensive PCs (5500 USD/pc) which were been replaced with bargain ones (200 USD/pc). I did same thing already earlier with ICs. That easy is how you can feel stupid.
"I'm sorry if I intimidated you in eany way sir"

I will assume you are not a native English speaker, and just say this, there is no way, you or any of your sidekicks, will ever INTIMIDATE me. That's down right laughable.

"I feel someone needed to tell you this about the system you are trying to hear cable differences with,you will not!"

Where did you, and several of the other posters get the idea I am 'trying' to hear wire? If I was, don't you thinkI would have wire that cost more than $39? I don't know your education level, and I certainly don't want to offend you sir, But my arguments are not based on the price of stereo equipment, or the rants of your cohorts. or the 'reviews' done by the scammers. If you have problems with my position, take it up with Sir Issac Newton or the guys at places like CalTech and MIT. They will be able to explain it to you better.
WOW! There are no zealots like the recently converted.
In this country you are what we call a Kool-Aid drinker.
Happy listening to you also. SIR!

And btw, if you spent $70,000(US) on mostly cables, you are a very respectful idiot!

Cheers
@ Rok2id,no my entire system cost $70,000.00 ,not the cables!,thou the cables did cost more than the componets,as time gos,I can move up the componet food chain and not worry about changing cables ever!cheers!
It's interesting note that many are more concerned with the defense of their "beliefs" rather than the pieces of metal in question.
****It's interesting note that many are more concerned with the defense of their "beliefs" rather than the pieces of metal in question.****

Yes, on both sides of the question: those who spend the money and those who don't (won't). At the end of the day, it is probably those who look for value/reasonable cost who get it right; for whatever this is worth, since a hobby is just that, a hobby.
The ones who get it right, IMO, are those who buy what they can actually hear and don't buy what they can't.
Audiolabyrinth:

I misread about the cost of your cables. Now I understand, your cables cost over 35,000 dollars. Hell, that ain't so bad. I am sure you hear every dollar. So excuse my previous outbrust. But I do have a question about this statement:

"I can move up the componet food chain and not worry about changing cables ever!cheers!"

Audiolabyrinth my friend, it just don't work like that. If you change a component. you must change the cables, because these things are very carefully matched and any component change requires the wire to be changed. Go back to your book on 'How to be an Audiophile' and look up the chapetr on SYNERGY. Ever hear of it? You mix the wrong wire with the wrong component and you could suffer severe ear hemorrhage!

Your plan / theory sounds logical, but in the audiophile universe, homo sapiens logic does not apply.
Pay attention. You have a lot to learn about WIRE! :) It's not as simple as you seem to think. You can't just buy expensive good wire and then think you are fixed for life! I can, you can't. I have Blue Jeans 10awg, and that's all I will ever need. It's one of the advantages of having a cheap, one notch above YORX, non-audiophile stereo system. But you are running with the big boys. Those guys with golden ears and deep pockets. That's a different game!
Watch your back and your wallet!

Best wishes on your journey.
Cheers
@ chayro, thankyou!,for the 2-23-13 post,I feel I fall under those guidlines!,cheers!
This is more akin to a political discussion than one about a hobby. Everyone can have their own opinions but everyone cannot have their own facts.

The fanatically heated responses border on religion as well. Belief in a sentence or saying becomes a mantra and guiding principle from which springs all manner of sophism.

All metals are different. They react differently though some may appear or are assumed to react in a similar manner, otherwise, why are they separated on the periodic table? Standards derived from one type of metal don't translate to every other metal out there.

What I'd like to see is for the naysayers to compare as many different types of coathangers out there as possible in a double blind test and then get back to the rest of the world with their findings. The coathangers have to be made of as many different types of metal as possible and of as many differing diameters as well and have as wide a variety of coatings as possible.

Until then.

All the best,
Nonoise
"All metals are different. They react differently though some may appear or are assumed to react in a similar manner, otherwise, why are they separated on the periodic table? Standards derived from one type of metal don't translate to every other metal out there."

Sophism Indeed!!!
This topic of whether cables make a difference or not has been going on for some time. I categorize this difference of opinions as "alternate universes". The same type of discussions go on between Democrats and Republicans. I am a long-time Democrat. I have stopped trying to explain my views to Republicans. Their values and understanding of the situation are so diametrically opposed to mine that it is impossible to bridge the gaps. I don't like to discuss the topic for risk of destroying friendships (even though there is so much at stake). Fortunately, this discussion on the value of good audio cables does not hold the future in balance. In the case of audio cables, I started hearing the differences they could make in the late 90's. I have spent a lot of money on cables and I try to make balanced decisions on the purchase of cables between the investment of equipment and cables. However, the bottom line should be achieving the most enjoyment out this hobby as my finances can afford. So I think those who believe in cables (those in a "after market cable valued universe") should spend their money on what they believe will achieve the most enjoyment and those who don't (those not in a "after market cable valued universe") should respect those positions and invest in and enjoy the aspects of audio that give them the most enjoyment. And for those who haven't decided which universe they are in concerning audio cables, they should be given guidance that will allow them to make their own decision.

So every time I see this topic raised, I just move on to the next topic. I am not going to get worked up over the question. And, hopefully, those who have spent the time to read this philosophical perspective may take heed and move on towards the real objective of this hobby - enjoyment.

Thanks for reading and enjoy!
****The ones who get it right, IMO, are those who buy what they can actually hear and don't buy what they can't. ****

Yes, which is implicit in what I said. How can one determine value if one can't hear a difference?

Regards.
Rok2id wrote:
02-17-13: Rok2id
Zd542,
I think you have me confused with someone else as pertains to wire. On this thread, I am just a messenger. All I posted, about cable, was from people a lot more knowledgeable than me. I just delivered the message. I didn't drink the Wire kool-aid, so I am not involved. Just trying to be helpful. HOWEVER, when some one says a cable is 'danceable', I have to speak. After all I am only human. There is only so much a human can take.
I am not a player is the wire debate. Blue Jeans is all need.
---------------------------------
Rok2id later wrote:
And btw, if you spent $70,000(US) on mostly cables, you are a very respectful idiot!
---------------------------------

It seems you have changed your position during the course of this thread to one of someone who was not involved to one of disrespect and name calling.

If you are happy with your dorm-room hifi, fine. I cannot imagine why one who claims to totally eschew the "hype" of high-end products, spends so much time talking about it. Everyone is entitled to their views and I think that uncivilized behavior should be avoided. Not censored, just avoided.
It really is interesting how widely differing the opinions are on this topic. I have personally done double blind listening tests on cables with a group of listeners who all without exception picked in one test that changing one power cord connecting the CD player (NBS Statement extreme to a Stereolab Dragon Widowmaker) without a doubt improved the sound.
By all means, keep on keeping on.....I just gotta run out and get some fresh popcorn. ;)
When one accuses others of drinking the kool-aid it presupposes that the accuser is of the correct and factual point of view (if such a thing exists). Said person then goes on to state that all he did was scrounge up some ramblings from others who support his view better than he can articulate and then passes it on in the role of messenger.

Disingenuous at best.

Said person is an active participant throwing others stones thinking they're better than the ones he has but he's still the one throwing them.

To be offended at the prose used to describe an event is understandable. Poetic license only goes so far. Some are better at it than others. But that shouldn't detract from the fact that not all cables sound the same. This is a great example of going off into the weeds, loosing sight of the topic ( a ploy perhaps?)

I may have champaign taste and a beer pocket book like most out there but within those limits lies lots of cables within my price point and every one of them sounded different. All one needs do is try to keep an open mind and ear.

All the best,
Nonoise
"It seems you have changed your position during the course of this thread to one of someone who was not involved to one of disrespect and name calling."

Read my posts, and all the responses to my posts, from the beginning of this thread, and then tell me I am the name caller. Tell me I started it.

Some of you people are so obvious and lacking in the ability to read, think, or follow a line of thought, it would take someone with the patience of Job not to call you names. But as someone said earlier, in the greater scheme of things, this ain't very important. And another thing, most of you do not even know what the question is. It's not about me or my system or you and your system. It's not even about stereo!

BTW, has anyone noticed that people have a tendency to get a lot more upset and vocal over hearing the truth, than they do over hearing untruths. Esp those that are true believers. Almost as if their beliefs cannot withstand a challenge. Jusr something I have observed in life. Its almost as if the truth is 'dangerous'.

Cheers
Rok, above you have some well thought-out comments and challenges to your stance, and you continue to ignore and disregard them. The easy answer at this point would be to simply say: "Man, you are out of your league; and I don't mean as far as your gear goes". But, hey, it's a rainy Sat afternoon and I have a few minutes of free time, so I will do the generous thing and try, once again, to point out the error of your ways :-) You wrote:

****Read my posts, and all the responses to my posts, from the beginning of this thread, and then tell me I am the name caller. Tell me I started it.****

I don't know what you consider "name calling", but I now it when I hear (read) it. Your first post:

****Could it be a variation of this:

Mass hysteria manifesting as collective symptoms of disease is sometimes referred to as mass psychogenic illness or epidemic hysteria. Mass hysteria typically begins when an individual becomes ill or hysterical during a period of stress.[6] After this initial individual shows symptoms, others begin to manifest similar symptoms.

Besides, peer pressure and wanting to belong to an elite group is a factor. Who wants to ADMIT he can't hear what EVERYONE else says they can hear? My system can resolve as well as yours!!! I have golden ears also!!! I am just as much an audiophile as anyone else!!! And so on and so on****

Oh, hell! Man, you are out of your league.
"Rok, above you have some well thought-out comments and challenges to your stance"

Point them out. For the life of me I can't see them.

"Oh, hell! Man, you are out of your league"

and what league would that be?

"so I will do the generous thing and try, once again, to point out the error of your ways"

No one say you are not generous with your time and thoughts. I know I appreciate it. Send some that rain to Texas. We Need it.

Cheers
The case against wire:
1)NO ONE has ever demostrated that they can hear wire
2)There is no measurable or scientific basis for hearing wire
3)The limits of human hearing
4)Golden ears have tried and failed with wire and amps
5)Given human greed and pride, there would not be a million dollar prize still on the table to the person who demonstrates he/ she can hear wire.
6)No one explains WHY wire should sound different, the periodic table theory notwithstanding.

The casr for wire:
I can hear a difference.

Cheers
The case against empirical evidence.
1) Your ears don't hear sound, they hear wires, which all sound the same.
2) What we know so far, scientifically, is to be discarded regarding our hearing
since all wires conduct sound the same way, so why bother trying?
3) Our hearing limits are confined to the way all wires pass a signal, which are the same, and not the sound we actually hear.
4) Well trained ears hear only wires and amps, not the sound they produce.
5) No amount of money can change the sound a wire makes.
6) Any metal in the form of a wire will sound the same so just sit back and enjoy.

The case for empirical evidence:
It makes a lot more sense than the above.
:-)

All the best,
Nonoise
Rok2id, I've been where you are, done what you have, in that I tried to argue the unarguable on the Audiogon cable forum. You are absolutely, positively correct, and it won't make slightest bit of difference to those who are convinced they can hear differences attributable to anything from cryo-treated electrical outlets to USB cables. I think it was in 2006 I amused myself with a few posts, and finally walked away, sated from the arguments. You can't win. You should come over to Audioholics, where more reasonable discussions prevail.

The Cable Lie, as Peter Aczel called it, is the most pernicious of all of the myths in audio, mostly meant to separate people from their money. I should emphasize that I don't want to demean high quality materials and good workmanship. A well-made, beautiful cable, that's solidly built with great connectors can have the same sort of intrinsic value advantage that a Breitling watch has over a plastic electronic thing. Most of us would rather have the Breitling, though they both tell time equally well. Aesthetic value is still value. But the notion that two properly designed and constructed cables for a particular application will sound different is just plain wrong.

You can argue with the true believers until your wear our your keyboard and it won't change anything.
Irvrobinson:

You are absolutely correct in everything you said. I think I will take your advice and go watch 'Gunsmoke'.

Glad to see the Peter Aczel reference. He is a real hero in the field of audio.

Cheers

Thanks for the support. It gets lonely on this place. :)
02-23-13: Audiolabyrinth
@ Rok2id,no my entire system cost $70,000.00 ,not the cables!,thou the cables did cost more than the componets,as time gos,I can move up the componet food chain and not worry about changing cables ever!cheers!

02-23-13: Rok2id
Audiolabyrinth my friend, it just don't work like that. If you change a component. you must change the cables, because these things are very carefully matched and any component change requires the wire to be changed.
Rok2id makes a valid point here, IMO.

From a technical standpoint, see my post in this thread dated 2-18-13, and the second of the two links I provided in that thread. From an anecdotal standpoint, findings that cable performance tends to be system dependent have been cited in a great many past threads here and elsewhere, by people whose ideological views on cables fall well within the "believer" part of the spectrum.

Concerning the broader issue that is being, um, discussed here, I would point out that a belief that cables can sound different, to which I subscribe, says nothing about the degree of correlation that can be expected between cable performance and cable price. The aforementioned system dependency, which as I said can be supported both technically and anecdotally, would seem to be one reason (among many others that could be cited) to expect that correlation to be a loose one.

Regards,
-- Al
Jimyork, I agree with you, as a conservative, that it is hard not to talk past each other on the important issues of our time. Like wire. ;)

To wannabe saviors, If you don't want to play with wire, Don't ! You can buy and sell used cables on this site with no loss of money and decide for yourself or use the Cable Company's services. Why get all upset, when you can test cables in your system. If Monster sounds best in your system, Great! If it's the $3000 Elrods, well that's up to you and your wallet.

Don't try to save us! We will figure out what's best for us.
@ Rok2id,thankyou,for the excuse me of your out burst toward me,no harm or anamosity against you,you are passoniate at what you believe,now to everyone,I know cables are system dependent!,at the cost of cables that I bought into,I do not change cables for componets!,I change componets to match the synergy of the cables!,LOL!,the cables are to exspensive to do other wise,I love the sound of taralabs cables!,I have been buying them for 25 years!,if a componet does not sound good with such an esoteric wire such as the taralabs zero gold that I do have,that componet no longer is in my system,or say,the nordost odin,again,that componet is history!,Its the same as buying cables to match a componet,I just do it differently,The zero and odin are very nuetral and ruthlessly revealing!,if there is something wrong with the sound,it most likely is not the cables!,these types of cables will reveal the weakest part of a system!,or expose poor recordings!,I do not waste money on taking a gamble on a componet that may or may not sound good on the cables I am useing,Its a very thought out process,I make sure the componet works with the cables before I buy the componet!,with this caliber of cables,my statement,I will not have to change cables ever!,Its the end game for me with cables,They cost to much!,and I do not agree that fricken cables should cost this much!,but to better my sound to what I am looking for,I had to pay the cost!,I have no regrets! the sound is very real sounding to anyone who has ever listened to my system!,A toast to all!,cheers!
The thing I love about this forum,It is alive and well!I do like talking to all of you!no matter the differences,It is just a hobby!,We can all agree on the fact we love music!,or we would not be here talking to each other,to me ,thats cool!
****Don't try to save us! We will figure out what's best for us. ****

Amen! Which goes back to my question: Why does it matter so much to non-believers, that some of us believe?

Now, acknowledging that there will be many exceptions, a really interesting survey might be what percentage of non-believers are Democrat or Republican; same for believers.
The issue of the efficacy of cables (as well as the question of cost) is not easily resolved unless one works with sets/looms of cables. Many people do not, and thus have only hearsay to discuss. :(

It costs money to conduct such comparisons, and most audiophiles despite their insistence upon being serious, are unwilling to put up the money to do so. Between the percentage of those with hearing loss and those unwilling to conduct comparisons with sets of cabling, this issue will never be resolved. :)
this issue will never be resolved

That's the business model of the cable companies in a nutshell.
@Audiolabyrinth, that is an interesting concept, I don't think I've ever heard of someone that tunes their system around their cables. I'm not saying it is wrong, only different. There are many different paths to arrive at the same location.
Many times folks are accused of using cables as 'tuning devices' or 'band-aids'. In this case you are using the gear as a 'tuning device' or 'band-aid'. Since we all tune a system to suit our individual tastes. I find that many folks who swear by 'transparent' cables, use 'warm' components. While those that use 'warm' cables are using 'transparent' components. Like I said, their are many paths to get where you want to go. Enjoy.
02-18-13: Tobb
I stand to be corrected!
We did a test this weekend with an 800.00 pair of interconnects that a contact loaned us and a 60.00 pair.
I can hear the difference but it was not in favor of the 800.00 pair.

The $800 cable is highlighting flaws in your system/components so the less expensive is a superior match. You are building a SYSTEM of components and they all have to work/integrate well together.

If you put a Porsche engine in a Yugo, the extra hp and torque will highlight the chassis, suspension ... flaws in the Yugo. It doesn't mean the Porsche engine is bad and not worth the $ but just in a wrong system/car. So obviously the Yugo orig engine is better in a Yugo.

02-20-13: Bander
I wonder who's more fortunate, those whose hearing is so compromised that differences between cables can't be discerned or those like myself who have spent not a small amount of money on cables and experience huge sonic benifits. Can't we just all get along?

That's easy, I rather have a high resolution system where I can detect all changes than someone using a boom box or/and deaf.

02-21-13: Audiolabyrinth
@ rok2id,Hi, I do not want to make you angry like some of the other people on this forum,so please excuse me,It ...

I understand most members want to be respectful and not come across as snobs but you wasting your breath. You can talk all you want but unless they experience it for themselves, they will never believe you. This is TRUE with everything and not just Audio cables.

I'm into cars and some of my friends don't understand the fascination for Porsches. Once they experience driving one themselve, all agree their is NO SUBSTITUDE!

02-23-13: Almarg ... Concerning the broader issue that is being, um, discussed here, I would point out that a belief that cables can sound different, to which I subscribe, says nothing about the degree of correlation that can be expected between cable performance and cable price.

No kidding, what commodity does? Cars, clothing ... up to the individual consume to decide for themselves.