DO CABLES REALLY MATTER?

The old 50% for speakers and 50% for everything else is a notion from the 1960’s. When an entire top notch stereo would cost under $2000. Just before I bought the Magnepan 20.7 (and had 3.6 Maggies) I calculate my speaker percentage was only EIGHT PERCENT of my system total cost retail. But I could jump to the 20.7 and not have to buy anything else to match. I already had it covered. (I am still buying stuff to get better sound..)

It might have been from the 1960s although I read it later. It stuck and I still, just as a habit, calculate that way when I see some system. I doubt that anyone, even then, really bought things just because of that rule.

Some rules were called rules because it was what most people did.My first stereo in 1965 was probably 50% speaker.JB Lansing two ways. The C36 cabinets with the 030 system (15" D130 low frequency driver, 075 high freq driver) with a Fisher integrated SS and a Garrard Lab80 TT.  Shure M55E cart. If only I had had enough sense to get the Fisher 500c or a Marantz tube amp?
I kept that for 15 years. I was not an audiophile by any means back then. Just had a kickin' stereo.

Well I have gradually spent more and more on my speakers as I caged them out. I started with def tech bi polar. Went to b&w cm9. Then to Sonus faber Liuto. Then to Vienna acoustics Beethoven’s baby grand se. Then I had the revel studio 2 and my final speaker the gato FM6.  This has been over the span of the last 11 years. I’ve had my current speaker for almost 3 years and it’s staying for a long time. I have enjoyed the journey. I have gradually went up to a better speaker each time. I think the revel studio 2 on the Gato FM6 are both great final speakers. I spent a little bit more each time and I have gotten better results from going up. Cable wise I have settled on the ones I have based on how my particular equipments reacts to it. I feel like my cables have helped me get the best out my system. I mentioned price initially because most people spend a certain portion on cables based on what they paid for their system. I was willing to go above that suggestion amount if it delivered sonically and my system has for me. Ultimately if the mix of cables and equipment gets you to your audio nirvana then do it. Don’t listen to folks who will never hear your system. 

One more thing. I don’t mention price to woo or impress anyone.  I know people who spent 5 times what I did. Some have great sounding systems. Some don’t despite the money they spent. Price plays a part only if you know how to match the right things together and picking the right speaker for your tastes. You can spend a lot and have a crappy sound if you don’t know what you doing