Cable discussions and evaluations are entirely subjective ( all rooms, components and listeners are variables). When you measure one set of cables against another ( in itself a challenge -- as meaningful blind A/B tests are almost impossible without manually switching them back and forth -- losing the ability of a quick A/B with the time lapse) -
But the question of having the cable be neutral - and not adding or taking anything away --- how is that even possible to measure or determine ? What is your base reference for measurement ? -- It has to be another set of cables ----- so how do you know what your base reference of neutrality actually is ? --
Simple fact -- You can't listen to any of the components without cables -- So all cables must impart a sonic signature of some sort -- and it becomes completely subjective as to what you consider to be neutral.
I have spent a considerable amount of money on cables - mostly motivated by a hope that it will provide better sound staging, possibly broader frequency range and an enjoyable / pleasant tonal representation ( not likely better - just different and more personally preferred in my room/system/ears -- which may change after 6 months if/when I try another pair) --
But some moves have been in hopes of getting rid of any background noise and trying to achieve that completely quiet 'Black" background in my system ---- I find that most "good" cables do this better than mediocre or cheap ones. I do believe that good cables are an important component -- but beyond getting rid of any background noise, hum etc. and being dead quiet (as if the system was off when paused) -- the results are completely a matter of tonal preference -- but I can't ever say neutral -- and not adding or taking anything away -- because all you can do is measure one set against another -- what is being added -- or what is being taken away -- means nothing other than the two sets have different tonal signatures -- so it comes down to personal preference.
But the question of having the cable be neutral - and not adding or taking anything away --- how is that even possible to measure or determine ? What is your base reference for measurement ? -- It has to be another set of cables ----- so how do you know what your base reference of neutrality actually is ? --
Simple fact -- You can't listen to any of the components without cables -- So all cables must impart a sonic signature of some sort -- and it becomes completely subjective as to what you consider to be neutral.
I have spent a considerable amount of money on cables - mostly motivated by a hope that it will provide better sound staging, possibly broader frequency range and an enjoyable / pleasant tonal representation ( not likely better - just different and more personally preferred in my room/system/ears -- which may change after 6 months if/when I try another pair) --
But some moves have been in hopes of getting rid of any background noise and trying to achieve that completely quiet 'Black" background in my system ---- I find that most "good" cables do this better than mediocre or cheap ones. I do believe that good cables are an important component -- but beyond getting rid of any background noise, hum etc. and being dead quiet (as if the system was off when paused) -- the results are completely a matter of tonal preference -- but I can't ever say neutral -- and not adding or taking anything away -- because all you can do is measure one set against another -- what is being added -- or what is being taken away -- means nothing other than the two sets have different tonal signatures -- so it comes down to personal preference.