Metaphors be with you! 👩🏻🚀
The Science of Cables
It seems to me that there is too little scientific, objective evidence for why cables sound the way they do. When I see discussions on cables, physical attributes are discussed; things like shielding, gauge, material, geometry, etc. and rarely are things like resistance, impedance, inductance, capacitance, etc. Why is this? Why aren’t cables discussed in terms of physical measurements very often?
Seems to me like that would increase the customer base. I know several “objectivist” that won’t accept any of your claims unless you have measurements and blind tests. If there were measurements that correlated to what you hear, I think more people would be interested in cables.
I know cables are often system dependent but there are still many generalizations that can be made.
Seems to me like that would increase the customer base. I know several “objectivist” that won’t accept any of your claims unless you have measurements and blind tests. If there were measurements that correlated to what you hear, I think more people would be interested in cables.
I know cables are often system dependent but there are still many generalizations that can be made.
Showing 50 responses by geoffkait
Some people seem to be under the impression that conductivity is everything. If that was true we’d all be using silver cables. There are obviously many parameters involved in cable design. You don’t have to be a brain 🧠 surgeon to figure that out. ”If I could explain it to the average person they wouldn’t have given me the Nobel prize.” |
I don’t want to bring anybody down but John Archibald Wheeler, Charles Misner and Kip Thorne wrote the book on gravity... a long time ago. Almost 50 years ago, actually. My, how time flies! Let’s just say gravity is not what you probably think it is but what it is is probably understandable to most people who aren’t English majors or audio engineers. 😀 I’m afraid you’ll have to look elsewhere for something that’s still a mystery. |
drbarney118 posts02-16-2019 4:19pmI have heard subtle differences between how different speaker cables sound in an A-B demonstration at an audio club and the difference was above a threshold of placebo effect >>>>A threshold of placebo effect? Whoa! I did not know that. |
cd318 “Had the results supported their opinions I'm certain that blind listening tests would have become the gold standard of audio testing and reviewing. As things stand it's up to the likes of Floyd Toole, Sean Olive and a few others out there to continue to demonstrate that there is no reason for us consumers to be scared of blind listening tests.” >>>>>Actually, as I’ve oft proposed, blind tests should not be given too much credence inasmuch as they, like all audio tests, are fraught with difficulties. This is why The Amazing Randi has such success challenging audiophiles to participate in his Million Dollar Challenge - blind tests of high end cables and other controversial audiophile do dads. A great many things can go wrong with cable blind tests, including variables that are either unknown or unaccounted for. Also operator errors, failure to follow directions, listener skill and capability, system mistakes, etc., not to mention specific cable issues: cable break in, the problem with physically unplugging/plugging cables, and cable directionality. To summarize, negative results of blind tests have very little import and should not be taken too seriously. There are too many things that can go wrong. It’s not a question of being scared of blind tests. It’s a matter of not trusting blind tests. |
ieales287 posts02-18-2019 11:13am It's bingo day at the seniors center.Sadly, there's more intelligence there than here or the freshman class at almost any college in America. The 'spiritualists' here remind of the BBE Sonic Maximizer from the early 80's. On poorly engineered program, it could be 'interesting'. On well recorded and mixed material with good sound stage presentation, it was a nauseating buck of mush. >>>>>Oh, sure, anyone can look around and find some absurd example like yours. Doesn’t mean anything. |
Outrageous claims by high end cable makers? Outrageous or simply the usual audiophile technical verbiage? Let’s take a look, shall we? Here’s an excerpt of the Valhalla 2 cable description from Nordost’s web site. Nordost is one of prof’s examples of “outrageous claims.” Now, I ask you, are these claims outrageous? “Over the years we have been able to develop cutting edge production techniques and technological innovations that both improve the quality and precision of our manufacturing process and propel the capabilities of our products to previously unattainable levels. The Valhalla 2 range benefits from the gains of those years of research and development in every aspect of its construction. While V2 cables remain true to the Nordost design philosophy, using silver-plated, OFC solid core conductors, extruded FEP insulation, a mechanically tuned construction, and asymmetrical grounding, the advances made from that jumping-point are astounding. V2 cables use Dual Mono-Filament technology, along with an innovative, proprietary connector called the HOLO:PLUG®, designed to be the best possible interface between the cable and component. The combination of these two ground-breaking technologies allows Nordost products to perfectly match our philosophy of low mass design, optimal signal transfer and perfect impedance matching.” |
Uh, manufacturers, oft employ certain words and phrases to catch you eye. They are just words. Words and phrases like awesome, spectacular, incredible, jaw-dropping, ground-breaking, unbelievable, Earth-shattering, mind-blowing, ausguesheitnet, sine qua non, previously unobtainable and super duper. That’s called fluffing. Without promotion something terrible happens. Nothing. Hel-loo! |
Hey, here’s a news flash! Graphene is used in road bicycle inner tubes now. And graphene has been used in tennis racquets for years. No big deal. Don’t get hung up on new words. And don’t be a neophobia. Here’s another news flash for you. Graphene doesn’t really have to be the classic one molecule thick two-dimensional Graphene to be effective. That much is clear. |
Breaking Gnus! 🐂 🐂 🐂 Masterbuilt Cables originated in the U.S. aerospace program. Engineers developed wiring systems with low-reactance cable for use in the Apollo lunar missions and other mission-critical NASA projects, such as the International Space Station. Say, aren’t they the same cables Von Schweikert uses for his ULTRA internal speaker wire upgrade? 😳 https://www.vonschweikert.com/ultra-internal-wire-upgrade |
taras22228 posts03-02-2019 8:23amWhat can I say, you’re Brilliant.....I’ve always said that....and incidentally just like your rocks, whose operating principle btw was used in a product that actually won an Oscar for technical achievement way back when... >>>>Really? |