Do good cables really enhance SQ?

[kaushik]

i have got printer ..nothing to print.good idea i will put print of nanotube thing to generate garbage.

some USB cable tests here:http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?5628-Audiophile-grade-USB-cables

 

[srinisundar]

Has anyone tried a comparison between a cheap 10awg and an expensive 16awg cable, especially for demanding speakers? I'm really interested to hear from people's experience on how much difference the gauge or wire thickness makes vis a vis other factors (like quality of wire, cladding etc).

Yes, there is difference Difference in thickness is there so naturally in sound production too Am i right Koushik

 

[kaushik]

srini...
we need to buy many cables,to tell how much.may be with good fee paid we can plan it

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Has anyone tried a comparison between a cheap 10awg and an expensive 16awg cable, especially for demanding speakers? I'm really interested to hear from people's experience on how much difference the gauge or wire thickness makes vis a vis other factors (like quality of wire, cladding etc).

Lots of people have. You can find informed writing on the net from engineers on the subject too. Google is your friend, and will, hopefully, lead you to the famous coat-hanger test among other results!

At least with speaker cables it can be agreed that rational electrical qualities can have an effect. The ultra-expensive power-lead thing seems to me to be just farce. I don't trust a company that tries to sell stuff like that. I do not like the look of that company's website. If their technology is real, then let them write about it in real terms, not in techno-marketing waffle. I dread to think how much they might charge for a USB or other digital cable!

 

[Staxxx]

I've tried tens of cables - cheap and expensive. Not all are good in my system and it is impossible I think to make generalizations. Some rob the music of dynamics or life, some seem to affect the bass or high frequencies, but everything in life is relative so one man's poison is another man's.....
In terms of the difference to the sound, from my personal experience - that I am sure is not shared by many in this forum - the most difference I found between cables was 1. Digital S/PDIf cables 2. Interconnects and speaker cables and 3. Power cables (I can't tell the difference between power leads at all) in that order.

 

[manoj.p]

If anyone wants to see how cable pricing plays with our mind in subjective listening, here is an eye opener thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/941184/observations-of-a-controlled-cable-test

The gist is - One listener is undergoing the blind test. One observer is watching him and he knows what cable is being played. The listener fails to identify the cable all along. But during the test, the observer is realizing the difference between the cables. And he says I am able to identify it. Let me take the blind test. Guess what, he fails to identify the cable in the blind test.

Tells us how easy it is to fool our mind. Want an instant proof? See this image.

Stop worrying and save the money.

 

[jls001]

Today I participated in a blind test. The subject was two unbalanced ICs. With me, there was a senior, and highly experienced audiophile (as my co-participant). Only one track was used to test.

We first played the test track using cable A. Then a 'panel' of two non-participants swapped the cable to B. We swapped back and forth, the 'panelists' making sure the two participants do not see the cables being tested. I loudly announced my preference after one round. This was a mistake (I now realised) as it could influence the other participant).

Both participants came out with the same choice, unequivocally.

As it turned out, the chosen cable was the much lesser exotic one (relatively speaking) as both cost a few thousand (as in Euros).

Caveat: the losing cable may work better than the winning cable in another setup.

 

[R Narayanan]

Some days I wonder what's wrong with my hifi; other days I love it and think it'll do me for a lifetime:

A fascinating discussion in this thread though the above comment from Thad takes it all in my humble view. I am amongst those who invested in expensive cables and interconnects and I am not disappointed. But this question- about the wisdom of investing in high end cables and interconnects- is still sitting in a vague corner of my mind whether did I do the right thing. But I am sure those manufacturing and selling these products also come under Lincoln's famous dictum that you cannot fool all the people all the time.

 

[Staxxx]

Narayanan, if it makes you feel any better, I too have invested many thousands in high end cables and interconnects. All have added to my system and I don't regret it one bit. Yes, it is true that most high-end audio and tweaks squarely falls in the camp of the law of diminishing returns....and one day perhaps I will not like the sound of some of this combination. At that point no doubt I will change it again and have fun doing so...but till then I will love listening to the system as I have spent my hard earned money to configure to my taste. )

 

[R Narayanan]

Narayanan, if it makes you feel any better, I too have invested many thousands in high end cables and interconnects. All have added to my system and I don't regret it one bit. Yes, it is true that most high-end audio and tweaks squarely falls in the camp of the law of diminishing returns....and one day perhaps I will not like the sound of some of this combination. At that point no doubt I will change it again and have fun doing so...but till then I will love listening to the system as I have spent my hard earned money to configure to my taste. )

I agree Staxxx. The best way is to enjoy it and let the debate rage on. Cheers.:lol:

 

[heliumflight]

One man's poison is another man's cure.

helium
HiFi I - CA 640c V2 + Sansui AU-317 + Vintage B&W DM4 + Pure Silver cables
HiFi II - SB Classic + MARANTZ PM6100SA & SM6100SA + Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary LE + Lyrita IC & Speaker cables

 

[Staxxx]

One man's poison is another man's cure.

helium
HiFi I - CA 640c V2 + Sansui AU-317 + Vintage B&W DM4 + Pure Silver cables
HiFi II - SB Classic + MARANTZ PM6100SA & SM6100SA + Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary LE + Lyrita IC & Speaker cables

Well said but not very applicable in all situations.....but some people will only think of some things as poison.....not knowing any better or personally very convinced.
so to each his own.....