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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
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
here is a way of looking at bang for the buck.

compare the affect of replacing an amplifier with the affect of replacing a cable (speaker, ic or power cord).

if the affect upon the sound of a stereo system is more "pleasing" when replacing the cable, it would seem that the "new" cable has a more profound affect and could be considered as the wiser purchase , assume one can afford it.

my point is the component which has the greatest positive affect upon the sound of a stereo system should be given top priority. if it happens to be a cable, so be it.

i would therefore conclude that there is no formula to specify how much to spend for cables, relative to some other component.
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mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
elizabeth:

trust yoour ears. one shouldn't be dogmatic or doctrinaire regarding any component.

its a question of value. if an expensive cable makes a big difference, and the difference is worth the price of the cable to the buyer, it's a sensible purchase.

i like to use the analogy of expensive vs inexpensive restaurants.

i generally find that spending a lot of money on food, compared to a good diner, is not worth it. you may disagree. it depends upon how you value the experience.
rockadanny
1,226 posts
 
My ICs between pre and amps cost more than my pre, which is a wonderful piece in itself. Never in my wildest dreams did I foresee that coming. But I just ignored common sense and committed to the best sounding ICs for me in my system. And am glad for it.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,687 posts
 
My ICs between pre and amps cost more than my pre, which is a wonderful piece in itself.
Sorry Danny, that just doesn't make sense to me. Are you sure it's not your guilty conscience that you're glad for? :)
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