2. cables
  3. 136769-457

DO CABLES REALLY MATTER?

Yes they do.  I’m not here to advocate for any particular brand but I’ve heard a lot and they do matter. High Fidelity reveal cables, Kubala Sosna Elation and Clarity Cable Natural. I’m having a listening session where all of them is doing a great job. I’ve had cables that were cheaper in my system but a nicely priced cable that matches your system is a must.  I’m not here to argue what I’m not hearing because I have a pretty good ear.  I’m enjoying these three brands today and each is presenting the music differently but very nicely. Those who say cables don’t matter. Get your ears checked.  I have a system that’s worth about 30 to 35k retail.  Now all of these brands are above 1k and up but they really are performing! What are your thoughts. 
calvinj
taras22
412 posts
 
A couple of things.

First, have to agree with calvinj that Clarity Cable is a very fine cable that on performance should have much greater place in the audio world, and very sadly it doesn’t.

Second, agree with dorkwad about the Schroeder Method, in my humble opinion it is one of those procedures that absolutely and conclusively shows how cables can have a positive effect on audio reproduction ( so obvious no double bind tests required ). Frankly, lo res, hi res, expensive, modest systems will all benefit from this upgrade. In fact, as a friend said, if you can’t hear the benefit might be a good time to find another hobby like golf, or something, anything that doesn’t require hearing acuity ( slightly paraphrased and explicates deleted )

And one more thing. Basically agree with geoffkait above about how system components in and off themselves can or cannot define how good it is at audio reproduction. At the very least until there is some discussion about the acoustic environment they are used in. Lets remember that the room is the most important audio component and which provides the largest contribution to the "sound" of a system ( some have pegged that contribution at about 50% ). Put a potentially great system in a crap room and guess what, there is an almost certainty that the great system will sound like crap ( with diminished ability to hear detail, nuance, and change, both large and small etc etc etc ).
calvinj OP
2,317 posts
 
@dorkwad that is where it was for me the Cable was the final tweak for me. Some can’t hear a difference we can so it’s worth it in my eyes and ears. 
glupson
7,842 posts
 

I agree that being rich does not guarantee any kind of Nirvana and that the discussion about the sound should not include the price.


At the same time, more expensive equipment often does sound better than the cheap one. Reasons may be many, but expensive piece is frequently better than the significantly cheaper one. Of course, there are exceptions, many of them, to that observation. Still, at the end of the day, buying blindly (not even listening to it) $150 000 equipment is more likely to yield "better" sound than doing the same with $2000.


There are a few posts in this thread that are accurate, in my opinion, but not on the point. Incremental benefits of some more expensive products may not be worth the trouble for someone and may be perceived ridiculously expensive for such a small improvement to others, but they are still improvements. It is personal decision if it is worth it to the buyer. Many may say it is not, but every now and then someone may find $70000 power cord worthwhile. It depends, heavily, on the amount of disposable income and cannot be made as an universal statement what is worth it and what is not.


Now, of course, there is a question if that power cord makes a difference at all and that is the title of this thread anyway.

glupson
7,842 posts
 
"Lets remember that the room is the most important audio component and which provides the largest contribution to the "sound" of a system ( some have pegged that contribution at about 50% )."

What about ears? More precisely, the level/loudness of sound. For some reason, that does not get mentioned while it is easily one of the most crucial components of perception of the sound. I am talking about physiologically normal ears working well, not limited due to aging, hairstyle, or whatever else.


EDIT: Having no experience with "expensive" cables, I cannot claim it but I suspect that ear-accommodation effects may trump benefits gained from cables. I am not trying to argue that cables do not matter, but just remind about another big variable in the story.

taras22
412 posts
 
Like whether the sofa is covered with leather, or cloth ? And whether the cloth on that sofa is wool or synthetic ? And whether the stuffing in that sofa is wool or synthetic or down ? It all defines the diffuser/absorber you are sitting in.
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