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
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
There’s Bose and then there is this:

"the app features new music recorded by the band that can be manipulated by the user by interacting with visuals around them."

https://pitchfork.com/news/sigur-ros-and-magic-leap-release-new-vr-experience-tonandi/

Time to let go of the past and move to the present....
mitch2
4,045 posts
 
I am currently comparing a couple of different Roon endpoint devices in my system.  One of them outputs USB and the other one (the Ambre by Metrum) can output either bnc, AES/EBU, or I2S directly to my Metrum DAC, but not USB.  Metrum provided an I2S board that replaces the USB input board in my DAC so their endpoint can supply an I2S connection directly to their DAC.  While I am comparing the two devices, I wanted to keep the USB board in the DAC (and not install the new I2S board) so I could easily switch between the two devices, since the one device will only output USB.

From the Metrum endpoint to the DAC I tried a fairly high quality bnc cable and it sounded pretty good.  I had heard the AES/EBU input may sound better (although the I2S input is supposed to ultimately be the best).  I purchased a $12 AES/EBU 110 ohm cable from Amazon and it blows away the bnc connection.....a $12 cable!  So, while I believe cables do matter (to some extent), what they are connected to matters much more IMO.
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@glupson, absolutely right. Every word.

How do Bose do it? They started here as a mail order business with extravagant sound quality claims and now everyone has heard of them, right up there with JBL. Yet also in the UK hardly anyone has heard of (let alone seen) anything from such respected US audiophile brands such as Klipsch, Magnepan, Thiel, McIntosh etc.

I guess their main opposition will come from stuff like Amazon Echo, Apple Homepod, Google Home, Sonos etc.

The loss of Steve Jobs might also have been a big loss for audio. Apple transformed the audio scene, but if Steve (the audiophile?) was still around, who knows what we might be seeing by now?  

Still, it's great to see some of the current big guns taking an interest. Especially as sound quality is always mentioned in reviews.
tweak1
3,677 posts
 
WireWorld designer actually understands the physics and electrical properties that separates sonically great cables from the masses of mediocre cables, regardless of their pricing
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
iTunes Rez is 1/2 CD quality!  In other words, it sucks.  Steve Jobs?  No.  Tidal or Deezer is far better.  Cables do make a difference in a system where you can discern a difference.  Fidelity must be at a certain level to hear changes in Q.  Bottom line is explore and have fun till you hit the sweet spot where all you care about is listening to the music and NOT the gear.
More to discover