how to best a/b cables


Ok, I admit it: I have serious doubts about the claims of those who believe in cables. But I am willing to take their challenge - let my ears decide. So I went to a local dealer (who is probably reading this thread - Hi!!) and got some Transparent speaker cables and interconnects to audition. My setup: Linn LP12 turntable, Linn Linto phono stage, Linn Ikemi CDP, Plinius 8200 integrated, B&W N804 speakers and 10 year old Audioquest cables & inters (I believe they are the "Ruby" models.)

My question: my Linn Linto has dual outputs. Can I connect my old cables into one output and the Transparents into the other and then run them into two different inputs in the line stage pre and thereby get a good way to a/b the cables? My dealer says it is not a good way to get an a/b comparison because the two sets of cables will affect eachother and it will muddy the water. Does this make sense? If I hook one into the tape1 input and the other into the tape2 input and if I'm switched to tape1, then tape2 is an open circuit and should be completely inert and vice versa. Any comments?

PLEASE!!! I DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE ANOTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER CABLE QUALITY AFFECTS SOUND QUALITY!!! JUST HELP THIS LOST SOUL TO FIND THE TRUTH!
gboren
I've spent alot of time testing cables this past year. I found quick A/B to be less successful than three to five day tests. Play a set of disks over a three day period. Spend time listening to the detail and also spend time simply enjoying the music. Now switch the cables and play the same disks over the next three days.
I found that certain cables were extremely enjoyable and brought out more detail. Others left me less involved and less impressed.
I must agree with the above posts though. If you can't hear it right off, than why change?
People who study hearing for a living use quick switching because they've found that humans do not remember subtle differences for very long (like measured in fractions of seconds). But there are lots of audiophiles who believe otherwise. Nonetheless, you can do ABX testing any way you want, either quick switching or listening to whole passages. Just don't expect it to be easy!
Generally I can hear differences in equipment in the first split second of being exposed to the sound and Bomarc is right, the ear adapts to the new sound very quickly and the brain soon regards it as normal. It therefore makes good sense to pick out certain passages of recordings one knows well and concentrate on how different DUTs will play them. Only then, I find, you will get a grasp on what the differences really are. These differences, when heard on these distinctive passages of music are then far easier to memorise, especially if you have found a language for yourself to describe them. After that, at least to me, it makes sense to listen to the devices under test for longer stretches, making notes all along, to base your judgement on as many parameters as possible.
If a difference is so subtle that quick A-B switching means you can't distinguish the difference then I certainly wouldn't pay money for such a slight difference. Beware the oil of the snake.
A very reasonable collection of posts for this topic - Gboren's imploring request seems to have worked! But to all of the above, I would add: Don't forget to allow the new cables some break-in time of being in the system continuously for several days before passing judgement. (For the record, I would definitly try the dual-outputs and switch method first, despite what the dealer says.)