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What's your investment threshold?

This question only goes out to those like myself who enjoy the system gains running better cables bring.  Non-believers can save their money and comments for another thread.

Do you impose on yourself a percentage range for cable spending relative to other components?

Speaking for myself, I do consider cables to be a component decision worthy of budget, but I seem to have stayed in the 10-30% range of what I've spent on other components.  I can't see spending $1k for a cable on a $1k component for example.  I have spent $1,500 for speaker cables for a $6k amp.  That seems nearer the high end of my range but it still fits. 

I realized I haven't planned this as a hard rule, but that's kind of how this has worked out for me over time.  Anyone out there think a much higher percentage is justified?  I won't argue because these improvements are worth all the enjoyment you can get, so more power to you.

jsm71
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,914 posts
 
no hard and fast rule.....but the math ( retail to retail ) says I am at about 15% but in general cables have higher margins, so retail might be a good guide...and my power amps, which shall remain unamed to protect my recently acquired “ fanboy “ status....came supplied with a fairly high end silver cable with DBS powered by tge amplifier....hard to break out a value for those......

i also think my system composition drove much of the cost - monoblocks within a m of speakers but an 8 m xlr silver dbs reverse run from preamp to poweramp....

listening to a variety of brands has helped me and in general each of the three systems I am blessed to own are wired with significantly different cables.....
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
My last cable purchase was a set of five Audio Quest Silver Extremes for $500.       HCM had them as a new "close out" for 25% of list (list price was $400 each!). Sounds fine to my "golden" ears!
jl35
4,009 posts
 
also important to consider resale value, as certain brands/models hold value very well for a long time, so willing to spend more for those, as ultimate cost is low...
jsm71 OP
141 posts
 

Does $1,500 speaker cables count as compared to your amp, or your speakers, or both?

That's compared to the amp. I should have compared against the speakers.  I went back and compared all cables against all other components and I'm actually at about 25% cables vs. components.

I don't aim at these percentages, but I guess I have a sensibility filter that stays active.

ebm
9,311 posts
 
I buy what sounds best in my Magico Q3 system price is less impotant to me.My goal is the best sound for my system of course i would not spend 25k on speaker cable etc.What ever you get enjoy!!
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