2. cables
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DO CABLES REALLY MATTER?

Yes they do.  I’m not here to advocate for any particular brand but I’ve heard a lot and they do matter. High Fidelity reveal cables, Kubala Sosna Elation and Clarity Cable Natural. I’m having a listening session where all of them is doing a great job. I’ve had cables that were cheaper in my system but a nicely priced cable that matches your system is a must.  I’m not here to argue what I’m not hearing because I have a pretty good ear.  I’m enjoying these three brands today and each is presenting the music differently but very nicely. Those who say cables don’t matter. Get your ears checked.  I have a system that’s worth about 30 to 35k retail.  Now all of these brands are above 1k and up but they really are performing! What are your thoughts. 
calvinj
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celander
1,036 posts
 
So true. System and room acoustics differ necessarily. Yet the debates of refutation abound. But remember what elizabeth reminds us of regarding the price recommendation for the newbie purchasers: one should consider spending on cables 10% of the total cost of the system. Audiophiles are exempt from this advice—lol.

By way of example, I’m running a full loom of IC cables from Teo Audio between only an Oppo DVD player, a Teo Audio Liquid Pre passive and a pair of ATC SCM20-2 active monitors. System components (including power accessories and PC’s) cost me ~$13,000. The IC cables cost ~$2,500. So my IC cable cost exceeds 16% of total system costs.
cd318
404 posts
 
It's always down to personal choice how much you want to spend. Experience has taught me that if I had to build a system from scratch I'd be looking at 75% on loudspeakers, 10% on CD player, 10% on amplification and 5% absolute tops on cables/ancillaries. 

Even If I fancied something more exotic, we're talking vinyl and valves (tubes), I'd still be looking at 50% on loudspeakers and 25% on a turntable and 20% on the amp. 

It'd certainly make assembling a great $1000 system interesting. On the other hand it's worth remembering that $1000 can be a big psychological hurdle to overcome for anyone who doesn't see themself as an audiophile. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
cd318
It’d certainly make assembling a great $1000 system interesting. On the other hand it’s worth remembering that $1000 can be a big psychological hurdle to overcome for anyone who doesn’t see themself as an audiophile.

>>>>Maybe for you, but not for me. My system cost $100 tops, including Grado SR-80 headphones. Why visit your psychological theories on everyone else?
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glupson
1,794 posts
 
cd318,

Long time ago, I was told that budget should be divided into 50% for speakers and 50% for everything else. I do not recall if cables were even mentioned. I think they were not on most radar screens at that time. Maybe cables became this fashionable topic when decadence took over.

I think $1000 as a psychological barrier for non-audiophiles may be too high. Bose figured that psychology out and, so far, they keep their systems way under $1000.
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