Was recently listening to my system whilst 'stomping' out some emails when I started to realize that the music wasn't engaging me as much as usual. So I put said emails to the side and started to pay more attention.
Sitting back and trying to lower my heart rate I set out to narrow down what was different. Why was it different. Lower the volume. Increase the volume. What had changed? I then reset my components. Swapped from streaming media to physical media and back again. Put on my go to tracks. What I was noticing mainly was the lack of dynamics. Everything had shrunk, big time. Then I remembered. I had in fact made a change in my system in last couple of months that I'd forgotten about cause I'd not turned on system for a few weeks due to work commitments and the TDF.
I had purchased my first (used and well regarded) higher grade power cable and connected it to my pre/pro. Surely this couldn't have killed dynamics. Not to this extent. It's supposed to go the other way if anything. So back in with the $2 standard OEM cable. And bang! System restored. Dynamics were back where they'd been for the last 15yrs and performers were now separated in their own space as before.
I have since tried swapping once more and trying to validated the more expensive and pretty cable but to no avail.
I will maybe one day try it on my source or power amps but at this stage I have my doubts.
Some may ask; What cable? What pre/pro.....etc. And I'd be happy to say. But suffice to say all well regarded stuff.
That's my two cents and my mileage.
I believe the way you feel ( mood/heart rate/stress/etc) on a given day/night makes much more difference to the way/what you hear than a connecting cable.
Over the years I've tried big $$ interconnects and speaker cables with no obvious difference ( improvement?) or simple uncertainty which defeats the investment.
Many say spend on speakers and amps. I tend to agree. But the fact that I did hear a difference, be it negative (shielding?), says that maybe other cables could go the other way.
I have very rarely posted anywhere over the years but these days I feel I need to give a little back and believe I now have valid experience behind me to make an educated opinion and open my mouth ( fingers ?)
For now I think I'll invest in more media and subs ?