2. cables
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Why Do Cables Matter?

To me, all you need is low L, C, and R. I run Mogami W3104 bi-wire from my McIntosh MAC7200 to my Martin Logan Theos. We all know that a chain is only as strong as its' weakest link - so I am honestly confused by all this cable discussion. 

What kind of wiring goes from the transistor or tube to the amplifier speaker binding post inside the amplifier? It is usually plain old 16 ga or 14 ga copper. Then we are supposed to install 5 - 10' or so of wallet-emptying, pipe-sized pure CU or AG with "special configurations" to the speaker terminals?

What kind of wiring is inside the speaker from the terminals to the crossover, and from the crossover to the drivers? Usually plain old 16 ga or 14 ga copper.

So you have "weak links" inside the amplifier, and inside the speaker, so why bother with mega expensive cabling between the two? It doesn't make logical sense to me. It makes more sense to match the quality of your speaker wires with the existing wires in the signal path [inside the amplifier and inside the speaker].

 

 

kinarow1
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 

@nonoise : +1. Spot on, and, very funny!

ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 

Cables make a difference. I’ve said that for over 50 years.

What is not guaranteed is that any particular cable in any particular system will effect a change or be an improvement to all. Regardless of all the marketing claims.

Advising someone to try what you own has an even chance of being bad advice. AND I NEVER do it.

kennyc
1,472 posts
 

We do not expect a "Guarantee".  We are will aware that the advised cable may not bring subjectively desirable results in our own systems.  But reporting the experience in actual use what they had before and after is very helpful, otherwise beyond basic cable build knowledge we only have marketing hype to evaluate products.

ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 

...we only have marketing hype to evaluate products

Truer words were never spoken.

The only thing I ever bought in a HiFi shop that I didn’t evaluate in my system were Spica TC-50... about forty years ago.

paul_lindemann's avatar
paul_lindemann
51 posts
 

I recall over two decades ago, I did not believe that cables made a significant difference.  I reluctantly tried an expensive ($400), Transparent RCA interconnect cable to my Gamut power amplifier and MSB Platinum CD player.

Within the first 5 seconds of the music playing , I started laughing out loud as the difference was enormous.

IMO, cables make a huge difference - although some yield a subtle difference.  Finding the right combo for your ears and ,set up is the key.

 

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