Does Your System Sound Like the Real Thing?

No and no.

I will say that nothing floors me more than the number of serious audiophiles who have no concept of what live music actually sounds like. The most glaring thing are the volumes and percussive dynamics of live music, which is rarely, if ever, encountered in a stereo system.

and onhwy61, how far am I willing to go? That is a GREAT question that I keep wondering myself. I had another epiphany a week ago when an audio friend lent me 2 pair of ic's to listen to. Unfortunately these cables are not cheap and DEFINITELY an amount I would never consider spending prior to listening. But the difference in the system was not subtle, a moment of realization over what is possible.

My wife heard it IMMEDIATELY, another audio buddy who heard it was also floored. Since you ask the question how far, I am trying to determine in real time whether I'm going ahead with these cables. The price seems more than commensurate with the improvement based on my experience but its a cable for crying out loud. Why should a cable have to make such a significant difference and cost so much to boot?

Why should a cable have to make such a significant difference and cost so much to boot

Have experienced this and, as a diyer, it's VERY frustrating!

For the 1st part, obviously the transfer function and noise reflection/rejection -- why/how? I don't really know, wish an RF person could chip in here...

For the second part (the cost), well... two points: a) small proprietary wire runs are VERY expensive
b) when a cable geometry WORKS WELL (remember, a rca cable is asymmetric, so more complicated) one just indexes the prices vs other outrageously priced products.

I'm trying to work out the Valhalla. I still have a way to go...:)

Tubegroover, your response in the another thread is the reason I started asked this question. It's the 2nd 6/8 post by Tubegroover.

I figured as much and these cables were definitive in some of my responses on that thread.