since all components have a "sound", it is possible that a designer is (trying to) create a "sound", explicitly, or, he will create a "sound", implicitly as the designer of all components in the stereo system.
i concur with almarg's analysis regarding the interactions of electronics and cables. there are other interactions among , say preamp and amp, which will affect the cable's effect upon the sound of a stereo system.
for example, suppose there is an impedance mismatch between the output impedance of a preamp and the input impedance of an amp, would the affect nullify a cable's capacitance effect, as in the case of a preamp having a high output impedance, feeding a signal to an amplifier. i would think the affect upon frequency response would depend upon the output impedance of an amp. i believe there are other component interactions that affect a cable's performance, which almarg may cite.
hopefully, a manufacture of all components will make sure that there are no ill effects when configuring, source, preamp, amp and speaker, and will design his cables in such a way to create what ever sonic signature he intends, even if his stated objective is not to create a sonic signature.
many designers state a criterion of non interference or minimal interference with a signal, but upon careful listening, one notices some form of coloration.
i concur with almarg's analysis regarding the interactions of electronics and cables. there are other interactions among , say preamp and amp, which will affect the cable's effect upon the sound of a stereo system.
for example, suppose there is an impedance mismatch between the output impedance of a preamp and the input impedance of an amp, would the affect nullify a cable's capacitance effect, as in the case of a preamp having a high output impedance, feeding a signal to an amplifier. i would think the affect upon frequency response would depend upon the output impedance of an amp. i believe there are other component interactions that affect a cable's performance, which almarg may cite.
hopefully, a manufacture of all components will make sure that there are no ill effects when configuring, source, preamp, amp and speaker, and will design his cables in such a way to create what ever sonic signature he intends, even if his stated objective is not to create a sonic signature.
many designers state a criterion of non interference or minimal interference with a signal, but upon careful listening, one notices some form of coloration.