Do you consider cables to be a "component" of your system?


Meaning, do you think that cabling (AC/InterConnects/SpeakerWire) should be considered a component that is integral to your system?

I have probably as much money in cabling and fuses as I do in most of my components (if not more).

Please, please, PLEASE don't tell me that cables don't make a difference. I disagree and there's nothing you can say or do that will change my mind, so save it for another thread, please.

I just wondered if you had to recommend a set up to someone (who wanted a nice stereo), would you consider cabling to be essential in your build price and your recommendations? If so, would you consider the cost of the cables to be on par with the cost of a component?

 

 

128x128coralkong

@bikeboy52 

”its just a no brainer“

Congratulations, your thought process about the importance of cables is exactly the outcome desired by the marketing departments of audio cable manufacturers. 

Wait what ? So Mitch 2 in the time  since you started the “ usb cable play offs” thread back in 2016 and said “ in general I found the Totaldac usb cable to have excellent clarity, body, tone and energy while the  ifi Gemini cable leans more towards the dark side with a mix of richness, fullness and darkness while still displaying a sufficient level if detail” your views on cables have changed ? Excellent clarity, body, tone and energy?

@bikeboy52

Good call out. I have always maintained that different cables sound differently, and I did like the sound of that USB cable, at that time. I still own it but have been using the TWL split USB lately. As an example of different sounding cables, I have tried a lot of speaker cables and I am partial to the sound of multiple, individually insulated, small gauge, solid core, OCC copper wires, in foamed PE, i.e., Harmonic Technplogy speaker cables. While I hear differences in cables, IMO they have nowhere near the impact on the sound of a system as the components and speakers, and after trying a bunch of manufactured cables and making quite a few of my own, I believe a lot of the marketing hype related to cables sets unrealistic expectations with the intent of leading buyers onto a continual upgrade merry-go-round. However, I am also fine with others who want to spend their money on expensive cables - to each their own.

“Congratulations,your thought process about the importance of cables is exactly the outcome desired by the marketing department’s of audio cable manufacturers “just checked out your system ( beautiful btw ) what do they get for a cable cooker?maybe I’ll chug a little a that Kable Kool aid and get drunk enough to pop for one a those.