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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
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
@handymann

For line-level balanced interconnections, ground-related factors that will act in the direction of reducing sensitivity to cable differences are:

(a) Pin 1 of the XLR connectors on each component (which is the pin that is used to connect the cable shield) is connected directly to chassis (i.e., via essentially zero ohms), and therefore presumably also to AC safety ground.

You may need a flashlight and a magnifying glass to be able to see the numbers adjacent to the pins of the XLR connectors.

(b) Circuit ground, which is presumably present on the ground shell of RCA connectors, is **not** connected directly to chassis/AC safety ground, but instead is connected to chassis/AC safety ground via a resistance of at least 10 ohms (and perhaps much more).

If and when you make these measurements, be sure that all interconnects are disconnected from the component being measured, or the results may be misleading.

Regards,
-- Al
ebm
5,165 posts
 
They don't matter go to Radio Shack dude!!!
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,534 posts
 
ebm,

They are long gone dude :-)



cleeds
2,065 posts
 
pbnaudio
They are long gone dude :-)
Rumors of Radio Shack's death have been greatly exaggerated.
handymann
298 posts
 
@Elizabeth: I recently made a set of phono interconnects using two conductor/with mesh ground. I can hear no difference, between direction. I have a set of Veristar Silverstream and my home made cables rate right up there with them. I listen for hum and general frequencies. As I said, I run Transparent Silverlink Plus, with an extension for footage, on my preamps to main amps Do you think the generic extension detracts from my quality? I have done A/B tests and can’t tell the difference. I’ve read when using balanced cables, it doesn’t effect the sound that much, when using balanced cables. I see you spent a boat load on xlr cables. Did you try generics for the long run first?   I have not joined the ranks of aftermarket power cables yet.  I tried some Tranparent power cables, but just couldn’t hear the difference,
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