2. cables
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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
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!)?
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,854 posts
 

Business models of companies selling products with appeal to only a small market of the wealthiest individuals (there will always be some) have to charge more and make a larger profit per unit. Its basic math, pretty irrefutable.

But there still has to be a value proposition. Bling factor is usually a big part of it. Performance need not necessarily be that much greater than most things, if at all. Its all in the perception of value. Sticking that wire in a really nice case built to withstand a nuclear blast helps. Unfortunately the wires won’t be in the case when the bomb goes off. :^)

Also its been pretty well established I think that bling factor of audio gear does not work on "hot chicks" nearly as well as cars, jewelry, you know things that they actually care about.   So choose your bling wisely.

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
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!)?

My wife just asked to hold my new Purist Audio power cord two nights ago.
Sure, I let her. The girth and heft amazed her.
Now get your mind out of the gutter!
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