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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
letsmakeadeal
14 posts
 
I've been through it all. MY Most expensive cable level was Transparent Reference w/MM2. I now use all Discovery Essence. Funny thing is I read an honest accounting on the net today of an experiment performed by a noted audiophile with one of the most elaborate rooms and systems ever assembled. They compared his Transparent Opus cables to run of the mill Monster cable in a series of blind tests. The best the owner could do was 50/50 in concluding which cables he was listening to in 7 different tests. Pretty telling I think.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I really think this is an obsolete thread. I well remember giving little or no consideration to cabling, isolation, ac filtering, racks, or how clean the records were. I also remember having about $2000 in my entire system, including my expensive ($150) London Decca cartridge. Last night I was thrilled listening to my $1790 USB dac with a $13,575 power cord and a $10,900 ics to my $31,000 line state to my $4500 amp and $40,300 speakers with everything on $450 @ platforms.

I think there now are no rules of thumb to guide buyers of audio gear. I think also that my sound today makes that in the past unlistenable.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
@ TBG, Great post!, No babel on this thread, LOL!
jazzonthehudson's avatar
jazzonthehudson
277 posts
 
Lars of NordOst (used) to challenge the unbelievers that his cables can improve any system -more than often slapping (too) high priced cables in a mid priced level system - and his (former) company spends 80% of the profit in marketing, begging the question if our money is well spent honoring Nordic gods. I treat cables as part of the audio system infrastructure, enabling the components. I fear the ease of swapping/upgrading cables, as compared to a component, especially a heavy one like amp or speakers, has led to a higher ratio in $cabling/$system.
rafael0054
99 posts
 
Hi Metaphysics.For me cables are SO IMPORTANT, that there is no rule about percentages of a total cost of an audio system.In fact if you have any components of a wellknown Hi End audio trade mark, you could notice improvements in sound performances by upgrading, cables, plugs, wall receptacles, and of course by changing interconnects and speaker cables.As an example I have a friend who has 6000$ in equipment( Fortè amp and preamp, Ps DAC, Proceed cd, Apogee Centaur) and 10000 dollars in cabling( interconnects,digital cable, power cords and Shunyata hydra 6).and the results are amazing.I know his system for many years and it changed for better any time he put a different cable or connector or interconnect cable.So don`t be afraid about investing in cables.It `s a superb idea!Regards!Rafael
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