adam0bmx0 Posted October 2, 2024 Posted October 2, 2024 55 minutes ago, gemini07 said: It could also be quite interesting to have a couple of other people come over and do the same comparison... Yes a good idea! I've got two local mates into high end hifi and they've gone to town on every type of connection in their systems, so if anyone could tell the difference, it would be them!
Camac Posted October 2, 2024 Author Posted October 2, 2024 and what is it that they would have to say on the subject? Expensive or middle of the range is sufficient?
Grimmie Posted October 3, 2024 Posted October 3, 2024 Well my guess is that they'd feel a subconscious need to justify their expensive purchases with positive views on the higher priced wires. Dare I say blind testing is in order? Hell no, I daren't!! On 03/10/2024 at 4:53 AM, Camac said: and what is it that they would have to say on the subject? Expensive or middle of the range is sufficient? 1
Cloth Ears Posted October 4, 2024 Posted October 4, 2024 On 25/09/2024 at 9:14 AM, Camac said: Hello folks I have just dipped my toe into the world of HiFi equipment, albeit at the entry level, after many years of not being able to financially do so. I have just purchased PS audio Air Lens, Gold DAC, Gold Preamp & M1200 monoblock amps and Def tech 9080X speakers. Now comes the part where I need to connect it all together and already am totally blown away with the variety and price range of cables. I have no idea of what type of power, XLR & I2S cables I need that would be suited to my gear. I have been to all the hifi shops and of course they all recommend cables that are worth more that the cost of my equipment. OMG! I have even been given trial handmade power cables that are supposed to be good but expensive however when I price each component referring to part no's, each cable cost about $37 in parts. So I am now very suspicious of the price and benefit of what is being recommended. So the million dollar question is - do cables really make that much of a difference or is it mostly snake oil? Any advice would be much appreciated, I'm all ears! One last thing, if cables really do make a difference, I would rather just start at the biggest bang for buck and slowly acquire them all bit at a time rather than buying cheap ones that I will eventually have to try to offload as they are replaced. Which cables to start with and how much to spend given the level of my equipment. Thanks in advance. I don't pretend my ears are what they were. I know I definitely cannot hear the whistle of a CRT, which means I don't get to 15kHz. But, back when, I found you can go up to a really good 12AWG copper cable for large signals (post amplification) and interconnects don't need to be as thick to provide a good signal. Your MC or MM signal can even benefit from silver wiring, but you have to beware of oxidisation at any contact points. Most of the more expensive cable either were of no extra benefit, or were detrimental to the signal. Cable snake oil was in it's infancy when I first noticed this, but nothing since then has come along to change my mind. But like someone said earlier, it's my opinion. I doubt it could be changed now - I know my limitations. And others may hear different and they are welcome to it. And I'm fully prepared to believe that esoteric interconnects or speaker cables can improve the transfer of signal between mismatched components, but I prefer matched items... 1 1
Mez Posted February 22 Posted February 22 I have just upgraded my speaker cables from a $30/m pair to a $200/m pair. Is there a noticeable difference? To my ears, there is. Hand to heart, the clarity, soundstage, air, etc. have all improved. This slippery slope has me thinking that I need to upgrade my speakers and other interconnects! The worst aspect is that I was not unhappy with my set up before the speaker cables were updated. 2
grammefriday Posted February 22 Posted February 22 1 hour ago, Mez said: This slippery slope has me thinking that I need to upgrade my speakers and other interconnects! The worst aspect is that I was not unhappy with my set up before the speaker cables were updated. Sounds familiar ......
crisis Posted February 24 Posted February 24 On 22/02/2025 at 12:17 PM, Mez said: I have just upgraded my speaker cables from a $30/m pair to a $200/m pair. Is there a noticeable difference? To my ears, there is. Hand to heart, the clarity, soundstage, air, etc. have all improved. This slippery slope has me thinking that I need to upgrade my speakers and other interconnects! The worst aspect is that I was not unhappy with my set up before the speaker cables were updated. thoughts and prayers.... 2
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