Silver or copper cables?

So, now there's a qualifier in "adequate size", huh? Next thing it'll be copper, single-stranded, shielded cables with spade connectors of "adequate size". Sarcasm aside, Steve has actually begun to answer his own question.

There's more to some cables than just a length of wire and some connectors. The design and materials used, including gauge, quality and combination, all matter. Known issues like skin effect also have to be considered. Differences in equipment insert variances like impedence which also make a difference. Let's throw in quality of workmanship just to confuse things a little more, too. I'm also not convinced that "science" has it all figured out, either; new things are being discovered much to often to fall into that trap. All of these know and unknown variables contribute to the end product and how it performs, and not just with cables. Some exhibit minor differences, some more pronounced changes. Ultimately, it's a summ of the whole, not just one specific thing.

Depending on one's combination of system and desires zip cord *may* actually be adequate. So, while it would seem silly to spend $2,000 on cables for a $1,000 system, it's even more silly to buy a $20,000 system and only spend $50 on cables IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS BETTER.

To use an auto analogy, a Yugo will get you from Point A to Point B. A Mercedes Benz does the same thing, just differently. The question one has to ask themself is at what point does a better car become overkill? Same thing applies to cables.

Finding what works best requires experimentation. Because personal taste and system synergy are such key elements in this matching the truth is in the hearing. This is one case where meters lie because they can't measure what my brain hears. so, if zip cord works, use it. I personally found it to be too limiting in my system (a fact that was verified by to other's) and opted for something better.

Stevemj- There are many theories put forth by manufacturers, though few have adequate analysis to convince someone such as yourself (I've seen a couple of your posts). In the end, it's only relevant to YOU as to which magazine or accepted scientific proof meets your needs. If you don't hear a difference in cables and you have no desire to improve the sound of your system, be happy. Otherwise, spend many years in high-end like mosty of us on this forum, listening with all kinds of cables from pennies/ft to many $100s/ft, and then you'll have some basis of experience. As it stands now, you neither have scientific proof nor offered extensive personal experience that different, adequately sized, cables sound identical. Without either, your responses on this topic can't be taken seriously (if they were actually meant to be). Just my .02

After doing countless tests on hundreds of different cables(with both test epuipment and the best meter of all, my ears) I would beg to differ that cables make no difference. Common sence would tell you that the guage of wire and the material it is made (as well as hundreds of others) of would effect the sound. You can't argue with the laws of physics.

marty - What differences did your measurements show? There are no laws of physics that say cables should sound different. That is my point. If you know of some tell me about them. What quantifiable differences do these laws predict?

What's up Stevemj? This is at least the second post I've come across where you're cuttin it up. Do you really believe your utterances or are you just looking to spice up what you see as being a dull forum?If your experience tells you cables don't make a difference that’s fine. But could it be that a) your hearing can’t decipher the difference(s) b) your gear won’t let you hear the differencec)You don’t want to hear the difference? Regardless of what you choose to believe you will find a legion of “brainwashed” consumers who (like those spending time on this site) hear it differently. Visit your local nose throat and ear specialist, get them to check out your hearing. Then go forth into Audiophilia, bring along your trusty zip cord and take the Pepsi challenge where and whenever you can. After you’ve put in the time, come back and tell us what you've found.