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
oblgny's avatar
oblgny
845 posts
 
We're all as mad as hatters regarding this tinker. 

If one's budget has the bandwidth to accomodate expensive equipment, or cabling -more power to you. (Wow, there's a couple of unintended associated references...)

I've been disappointed by a few of my gear purchases over the years but I've yet to utterly regret any I've made. As I've moved up the proverbial food chain I've experienced "wow" moments and "wtf?" moments alike, neither necessarily derived from the dollars spent. 

This thread has wandered way off course...

We're nuts. Period. 

dracule1 OP
1,085 posts
 
Oblgny,

"We're nuts. Period." 

Thank you.  That's the most honest and succinct answer to my original post.  Have a nice day.



facten
2,749 posts
 
dracule1

" I buy based on what sounds good to me within my means"  So the question then to you is why do you demean the purchasing decisions of others that do likewise but at a different price point? 

" So if you’re loking down on me because I can’t afford some of the rediculously priced items you can afford"  . Not sure I've read anyone looking down on you, rather they are taking a different position that you can't seem to get over. What difference does it really make to you if folkfreak or anyone else is in a position to possibly spend more on cables than either you can or choose too? If you think for instance that Signal Cables does the trick for you great; I've had them in my system and they were "okay" at best so I replaced them. So what!  

" People like you who can afford expensive........... have lost touch with people of lesser means". Come on man, if someone can afford to spend more than you or someone else they shouldn't? Sounds like sour grapes




mapman's avatar
mapman
21,865 posts
 

JMc,


Who are you quoting?


Not me I think I don’t recall ever saying anyone specifically spent too much money. It’s completely up to them what they choose to buy obviously.

I am supporting the argument in general though that there may be less expensive alternatives to some more expensive products that may perform as well or better. That’s good news for those on a limited budget and for the audio industry that might like to have more potential customers. . For those who are not, price does not matter and I’m sure their wires sound great. I’ve heard some very good systems with some very expensive wires.

I did say God bless everyone who is happy with their music. What else can I say there?

Does this then make some people "out of their mind" as proposed? That’s strictly a judgement call that can’t be controlled, but it should not bother those who knowingly arrived wherever they are and are happy being there.

Trying to be rational about it.

Of course one could always turn to good quality pro audio wires and avoid the high end audio murk altogether, but that's another story....





wattsperchannel
142 posts
 

facten561 posts06-13-2016 9:40pmdracule1 - too each his own, you spend your money on what you find works for you and let others spend theirs as suits their needs. 

folkfreak - really nice system!

facten,

You normally make very thoughtful posts but your logic in this case is lost on me. Under your approach, how would Drac work on his self-image?  There is little here about cables?  Nothing else explain this insanity.

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