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Cable Costs Relative to System

Since making a spread sheet with my audio system prices, I have been thinking(shocked) about my total investment in cables. My total system retails at $67,000 (Digital and analog front ends included). I purchased all of it here on Audiogon so my investment is about 50%. Of that I have about 10% invested in interconnects and cables and another 10% in Power Cables (Shunyata Hydra included). That's $13,000 worth of wire. I'm starting to question whether it might be more effective to put some of this budget into acitve components. It would take forever to listen to all possible combinations, but would like to hear others experiences with relatively high end systems and cable selection. It would seem to me that the point of diminishing returns would be reached sooner with cables than with speakers and amps. Do most of you follow the 10% "rule" for cabling? How do PCs fit into this rule? Are there any super bargain cables capable of keeping up with highly resolving electronics?
metaphysics
gopher
499 posts
 
I've got about $5000 msrp worth of cable in a system worth about $25,000 msrp. Fortunately I did not pay that amount, but I do feel the cables in my system have really allowed the components they are connected to to shine.

Say what you will about cables making a difference, but these have been a major step towards happiness in my rig... as high as that cost proportion may be.
phillipbenson
4 posts
 
I agree with Gopher. Cables have made a noticeable difference in my system, too. I think the 10% rule still applies (I see this thread started almost 10 years ago). But no more than 10%.
chrissain
425 posts
 
Hi , its all relative, I have picked out expensive cables in blind tests over and over again, from interconnects to speaker cables to digital cables, but the main difference is I have not always liked the more expensive cables better, once you get the ego out of the way and stop careing about brand name or cost it is amazing the differences you can hear, for good or bad.
phillipbenson
4 posts
 
Of course, we all know that there are ways to reduce the cost of your cables. Shopping on Audiogon is definitely one good way. Using the lending library at The Cable Company is another one because you don't have to spend money on so many cables before you find the ones you like. There are also a lot of DIY'ers out there figuring it out for themselves.
jamo1
16 posts
 
I have gone throught trying alot of cabling in my systems throught the years. All the models from Cardas, Kimber, Acoustic zen, Harmonic Tech, Analysis Plus. For me I have found that cabling sourced from recording industry is very good indeed. Mogami Quad 2534 and Vann damme Ultra Pure Silver Plated cable for interconnect works great and for me holds it own against cables I have owned that retail for up to $1500.00 for 1 meter pair. its really inexpensive and allows money to go to better equipment. Vann Damme studio grade speaker wire, the 9 gauge stuff you can get from Bryston sounds as good or better than any fancy expensive cables I have used. on the hifi side of things the best bang for buck for inteconnects is DHlabs Silversonic Air matrix. I will now never spend anymore cash on cables. My thinking is that if you want to hear what the recording engineers wanted you to you should use the cables they used making the music, anything different is colouration.
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