Cables more hype than value?

Of course cables make a DIFFERENCE. But here's the rub. Look at this from this perspective: A recording engineer in one of the top studios in the country prepares to record a vocalist. Consider the signal path: microphone ---> cable ---> pre-amp ---> cable ---> EQ component ---> cable ---> compressor ---> cable ---> A/D converter ---> cable ---> into computer program (Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, etc) for more sonic manipulation) ---> cable ---> D/A converter ---> cable --->speaker. I count about 7 different runs of cable between 8 different components. These 15 steps of flow will theoretically affect the original vocal source. Top studios (especially those who know how to record REAL ACOUSTIC instruments from clasical, jazz, folk, country, etc) either preserve the original source or manipulate the sound according to the performers expectations. Top studio's main goal is to never add color UNLESS it is desired, The very best studios in the world use Mogami cable...... a pair of interconnects can cost under $100. I've been in the top studios in LA, NY, Nashville and virtually NONE use the fancy cables that are topic to these discussions. The goal is for the engineer to sculpt the final audio outcome of what the performer desires. IF YOUR HOME SYSTEM IS FLAT, NEUTRAL, UNCOLORED, virtually ANY neutral cable is all that is necessary. IF YOU'RE TRYING TO CHANGE (MAKE DIFFERENT) THE SOUND THAT WAS CAPTURED IN THE ORIGINAL RECORDING, then spend $10,000 on some cables made of gold and platinum that were soaked in tomato juice. And you've also got bragging rights as the rich guy on these forums.

Nonsense; with all due respect. It's frustrating how the obvious is always overlooked by the naysayers. It's not that recording engineers don't use better cables; actually, some do, and have expressed the benefits. It is that at the stage of the inevitable deterioration/ distortion of the music signal that recording engineers are working with, at the record/mix or mastering level, there is much more of the music still left intact. As a result, there is less PERCEIVED need to preserve that bit of fidelity that cabling inevitably mucks up. By the time we, as music consumers, listen to the product, which by then has seen all sorts of additional processing due to mastering, stamping, etc, if we lose another 3% (I hate attaching a % to these things; but, alas) it becomes unbearable..

I like food analogies: imagine you order a steak at a restaurant and it arrives pre-salted. You may or may not like salt on your meat, but a little bit is OK. Now, add a tiny pinch more salt, and you just can't eat it.

I, likewise, have been to many top studios and heard playback over crappy little Yamaha monitors, and the immediacy and impact of the master tape can be stunning. Same recording over my expensive speakers sounds, well...., recorded.

You have to keep it as easy as possible. Spending a lot of money on cables give you not the insurrance of more quality in your system. But these days there are cables lmost who add new qualities in the overwhole sound. These qualities are convincing for almost all people. Like a wider and deeper stage. This is very easy to understand. Or more air and resolution. Some cables give a much better articulation of voices. So I do many a-b comparrison for clients to make it understandable. I never say: you have to buy this. I give them a demo to listen. They can make there own judgement. It is everyone's own choice. It is clear that differences in cables are big. Different does not mean better. But there are many parts were you can judge music and quality in sound for. Last few months I explain my clinets the difference between 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional sound. Every one understands it quite easy. Witht there own music it makes them more easy to understand. I test a lot of stuff. Any yesss there is a lot more stuff which is not that convincing. But it does not mean every cable is the same!

again, with all due respect, I challenge you to tell me what "electronic instruments" are SUPPOSED to sound like. Let's say you're a rock fan.....there has never been a stadium rock concert where imaging is considered. Stereo sources become part of a main mono mix. And do you really strive to have your home system sound like a stadium rock concert? Conversely, consider an acoustic instrument concert in a small venue. If no mic-ing is used and you're in the sweet spot, only then do all the variables audiophiles discuss come into play.

I spent my life in this business. I'll say again, while studios may experiment with different cable tweaks, virtually NO studio (not even the top studios) wires the entire studio with Nordost Valhalla.....its simply not necessary while it might even color the original source. Those who disagree would be better to argue that they're ATTEMPTING TO SCUPLT A DIFFERENT AUDIO EFFECT ON THEIR HOME SYSTEMS, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, A SOUND THAT MATCHES THEIR LISTENING PREFERENCE.

I too have previously spent a lot of dough on home audio cables. And it's hard to feel good about spending $10k on speaker cables if they don't sound DIFFERENT. If you like DIFFERENT then go for it. DIFFERENT is not always better. But DIFFERENT could be what your individual taste requires and that's OK.

again, with all due respect, I challenge you to tell me what "electronic instruments" are SUPPOSED to sound like. Let's say you're a rock fan.....there has never been a stadium rock concert where imaging is considered. Stereo sources become part of a main mono mix. And do you really strive to have your home system sound like a stadium rock concert? Conversely, consider an acoustic instrument concert in a small venue. If no mic-ing is used and you're in the sweet spot, only then do all the variables audiophiles discuss come into play.

I spent my life in this business. I'll say again, while studios may experiment with different cable tweaks, virtually NO studio (not even the top studios) wires the entire studio with Nordost Valhalla.....its simply not necessary while it might even color the original source. Those who disagree would be better to argue that they're ATTEMPTING TO SCUPLT A DIFFERENT AUDIO EFFECT ON THEIR HOME SYSTEMS, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, A SOUND THAT MATCHES THEIR LISTENING PREFERENCE.

I too have previously spent a lot of dough on home audio cables. And it's hard to feel good about spending $10k on speaker cables if they don't sound DIFFERENT. If you like DIFFERENT then go for it. DIFFERENT is not always better. But DIFFERENT could be what your individual taste requires and that's OK.