I would add this -- which is really just summarizing some of the above thoughts.
First of all, Nelson Pass's article is well worth reading.
Second, if you can't measure qualities within *significant* audible parameters between two cables (see Rsbeck's comments above -- he is read right about audibility), then you will not be able to hear any difference. It's really that simple. There are a lot of products out there, some of which are outrageously priced and some of which are reasonably priced, many of which are constructed quite differently but that all do pretty much the same thing.
There's a bit of a "Timex" factor in all this. Now, I happen to have a "thing" for watches and have a few very nice pieces in my collection -- a Patek, a couple Rolexes, IWCs, etc. I love the theory and construction of automatic and wind-up movements. However, my Timex Ironman, bless its heart, is absolutely the most accurate of the bunch and, as extensive travel and sports activities have proven, it can take the proverbial beating and keep on ticking.
What's dressier and more fun to wear? An IWC Fliegerchronograph -- my favorite. What does the same thing -- tell time -- except better, and does so for almost 1/100th (!) the price? The Timex.
I have no illusions about that. Doesn't mean I don't enjoy the fancy stuff -- I do. It's much the same in audio cables -- with the exception that there are high profit-margin operations out there that would claim that a Flieger IS more accurate than a Timex.
It's a funny thing, because in the world of mechanical time pieces, it's all about the accuracy within the genre...and not absolute accuracy.
First of all, Nelson Pass's article is well worth reading.
Second, if you can't measure qualities within *significant* audible parameters between two cables (see Rsbeck's comments above -- he is read right about audibility), then you will not be able to hear any difference. It's really that simple. There are a lot of products out there, some of which are outrageously priced and some of which are reasonably priced, many of which are constructed quite differently but that all do pretty much the same thing.
There's a bit of a "Timex" factor in all this. Now, I happen to have a "thing" for watches and have a few very nice pieces in my collection -- a Patek, a couple Rolexes, IWCs, etc. I love the theory and construction of automatic and wind-up movements. However, my Timex Ironman, bless its heart, is absolutely the most accurate of the bunch and, as extensive travel and sports activities have proven, it can take the proverbial beating and keep on ticking.
What's dressier and more fun to wear? An IWC Fliegerchronograph -- my favorite. What does the same thing -- tell time -- except better, and does so for almost 1/100th (!) the price? The Timex.
I have no illusions about that. Doesn't mean I don't enjoy the fancy stuff -- I do. It's much the same in audio cables -- with the exception that there are high profit-margin operations out there that would claim that a Flieger IS more accurate than a Timex.
It's a funny thing, because in the world of mechanical time pieces, it's all about the accuracy within the genre...and not absolute accuracy.