2. cables
  3. 124957-818

Are audiophiles still out of their minds?

I've been in this hobby for 30 years and owned many gears throughout the years, but never that many cables.  I know cables can make a difference in sound quality of your system, but never dramatic like changing speakers, amplifiers, or even more importantly room treatment. Yes, I've evaluated many vaunted cables at dealers and at home over the years, but never heard dramatic effect that I would plunk $5000 for a cable. The most I've ever spent was $2700 for pair of speaker cables, and I kinda regret it to this day.  So when I see cable manufacturers charging 5 figures for their latest and "greatest" speaker cables, PC, and ICs, I have to ask myself who buys this stuff. Why would you buy a $10k+ cable, when there are so many great speakers, amplifiers, DACs for that kind of money, or room treatment that would have greater effect on your systems sound?  May be I'm getting ornery with age, like the water boy says in Adam Sandler's movie.
dracule1
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,449 posts
 
The only guys spending 10k on speaker cables have already spent far more than that on amps and speakers. Hey, I'd love a pair of 8' Kimber KS 6068's, but they retail for more than my entire system!
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,854 posts
 

DNM Reson ICs still my personal favorites. Minimalist design sounds great and can only cost so much. As long as lack of shielding is not an issue for any particular case.

Pangea AC14 power cords for source devices are built like a tank and do quite well for the price.

Still not feeling it for anything more than a basic good quality digital cable of suitable length like one might get from Amazon Basics for $10 or so.

I find I  can also live with most any decent quality speaker wire once all the rest is good.  Not that they all sound the same by any means, I just prefer to tweak elsewhere when needed.

In general I agree start with good stuff that works well together and tweaks naturally assume a lesser role.

dracule1 OP
1,085 posts
 
Mapman, if only I won the lottery.  I would start my own cable company and make stupendously awesome world class Donald Trump cables that would drive these other cable manufacturers to China where they belong!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
People are still buying Lamborghinis too I understand. Actually more than ever. The most Lamborghinis sold in a single year in 2015 with 3245. 
dracule1 OP
1,085 posts
 
Geoffkait, well ya.  Lamborghinis can get you some hot chicks!  Has a hot chick ever come up to you and asked to stroke your cables (your audiophile cables. Get your mind out of the gutter!)?
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