DO CABLES REALLY MATTER?

I am also at the stage in my gear collecting where I’m trying to tweak everything to it’s maximum performance. So, I recently replaced the XLR interconnects between my CD player and preamp and preamp and amplifier. I had about a $350 budget per set and stuck with it until my final decision was made. This is about a 300% increase in cost from the original cables. I started by listening to several songs I know well and use when I want to really show off the performance of my system. Then I replaced the CD to preamp cables first. I instantly noted there was more clarity, increase in timbre and depth to each of the songs when played back again, it was subtle but apparent. I then replaced the preamp to amp interconnects. This was where most of the changes happened! I’m not that good at using audiophile technical terms, so at the risk of mis-conveyance in description, I will simply say I am very happy with my purchase! My previous cables were Audioquest Diamondbacks, the new cables are Shunyata Venoms. The Diamondbacks were coloring the system, making everything too warm, while they did great for there cost, I wanted more accuracy. My preamp is tube and my amp is ss. The Venoms have brought a great balance to my system now and it doesn’t sound colored in the least. The great thing I’ve discovered with tube gear is that they are less fatigueing on the ears, so I’m getting great accuracy now with no fatigue, making it more an more difficult to break away from my listening sessions.

I personally can't necessarily say with 100% certainty that cables make a difference.  But, I will say that if you are going to invest a significant amount of money in your system, then why not finish it off with great cables (as reflected in the eye of the buyer). To me, the fact that there are all sorts of cable options at all price points makes this a fun hobby/pass time. I have owned Audio Art, DH Labs, Blue Jean, Voo Doo, Audioquest, Wire World, Clarus Crimson, Signal, etc  They are all respected companies that offer great cables - some expensive and some not so expensive.     

bac2vinyl
Power cables can not make a difference…Can not convince me that the power cables that came with my Marantz MM8077 or my Parasound A21 are mediocre. Why would engineers design a product that its only purpose in life is to produce good sound with cheap power cords?

>>>>>You ask, Why would engineer design a product that’s only purpose in life is to produce good sound with cheap power cords? Well, let’s look at the options, shall we?

1. They don’t care about how their product sounds.
2. They don’t believe in power cords or fuses.
3. They can’t hear the difference.
4. They CAN hear the difference but figure, the hell with it.
5. The cost of a good power cord raises the cost of the product too much.
6. They never heard of aftermarket power cords. They aren’t audiophiles, they’re engineers.

I'm in the camp of "sure some cables may make some difference", but I've never heard the improvements claimed by others.

I'd much rather put my money into upgrading my gear...

"Our ears and brain have very short term audio memory." ?? Some people must have one helluva time, recognizing who’s called them on the telephone then(sorry for your inability). A good man understands their own limitations. A wise man understands: everyone doesn’t share them.  Can you tell if you're listening to Albert King, or BB King?    I’ve been tuning my guitars, without any kind of tuning aid, perfectly in pitch, for the past 5 decades(+). Virtually all the EXPERIENCED guitarists I know, can tell you whether they’re hearing a Fender Strat, a Tele or a Les Paul, without looking and even what pickups are being used. Ditto, with drummers and real Turkish Zildjians vs Paiste vs Sabian. The same applies to hearing the differences in drum skins/heads(ie: Remo vs Evans and even the various iterations, within brands, once they’ve heard them). Such would have a hard time, if they couldn’t remember how their drums/guitars sounded, before the skins/strings lost their resonance. I could continue, but- if one has no experience in such matters, it’s impossible for them to(or, at least, unlikely they would) grasp the concept. So- it would be a waste of keystrokes.