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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
jsm71 OP
141 posts
 

+1 twoleftears - I fully agree if a cable price would bump you into the next component model up, that may be the better option.

In my case I'm at the top of my line for the components I use so cable pricing is a separate decision. 

I did pull the trigger for the top offering from Cerious Technologies just for the speaker cables.  CT only offers two lines, their value priced but very nice cables, and cost no object using all the skills the designer has, for those who like his approach and can spend more.  There are two long threads here, one for each of CT's offerings.

The speaker cables make the best impact of all the cable types I use and it is a wonderful contributor to my rig.  The rest are very fine cables on their own but I couldn't justify quadrupling the cost on those, despite a 100% trade up policy.  I do have a governor on my wallet.  LOL

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
I spent $650 on used Acoustic Zen Absolute ICs and another $650 on used Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker cables.  It sounds crazy but they are non-perishable items.  Many years from now electronics might fail and  speakers will get worn out, but cables will stay and even hold the market value.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I think most of us here have a governor on our wallets, bur we also probably prioritize differently. It seems as if owning the "top of the line" product is a high priority for you.
None of my components are "top of the line", but I do own a couple of cables that are "top of the line" . Though to be honest, when buying, I never really consider where what is in that company's hierarchy.

Mainly I am prompted by finding a good price on what I am looking for.
I am talking about real price, not list price, and buying used is not a problem for me.

The ARC Ref 5SE preamp that I just bought, I waited 2 years to find one at "my" price.
No, the 5SE is not top of the line, but it is a very fine preamp, IMHO.
So while I do not play the percentages game, or the top of the line game, I am fine with playing the waiting game. We all have our methods.

Bob Grost at Cerious Technologies makes very fine cables, great bang for the buck. I have not heard any of his Matrix line yet, but I'm sure that I will one day. Enjoy!
soix
9,456 posts
 
I chose all my other equipment first using good but relatively inexpensive used cables, then I upgraded cables to the point where I was happy with the synergy of the system as a whole -- spending as little as possible to achieve that.  Whatever percentage that is, it is.  And I imagine this varies greatly among all of us here, so I think it's not useful or even appropriate to assign a dollar amount or percentage to it (within reason of course -- nobody should spend 90% of their budget on wires, but maybe anything south of 50% should be fair game especially if power cables are included).  At this point it becomes about where my best incremental dollar is spent as per @twoleftears above. 

@elizabeth I also begrudgingly know power cables make a big difference but just don't want to spend big $$$ there (I know this is irrational as I too have spent a lot on interconnects and speaker cables, but there it is).  I'm going to make my own with some good bulk cable (i.e. Oyaide, Furutech, DH Labs, etc.) and good connectors (Wattgate, etc.) since it really does seem quite easy even for an idiot like me.  My guess is for about the same cost as the Pangeas and not much time and effort I can have PCs that rival $1000+ brand name models.  Anyway...

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