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Who thinks $5K speaker cable really better than generic 14AWG cable?

I recently ordered high end speaker, power amp, and preamp to be installed in couple more weeks. So the next search are interconnect and speaker cable. After challenging the dealer and 3 of my so called audiophile friends, I think the only reason I would buy expensive cable is for its appearance to match with the high end gears but not for sound performance. I personally found out that $5K cable vs $10 cable are no difference, at least not to our ears. Prior to this, I was totally believe that cable makes a difference but not after this and reading few articles online.

Here is how I found out.

After the purchase of my system, I went to another dealer to ask for cable opinion (because the original dealer doesn't carry the brand I want) and once I told him my gears, he suggested me the high end expensive cable ranging from $5 - 10K pair, depending on length. He also suggested the minimum length must be 8-12ft. If longer than 12ft, I should upgrade to even more expensive series. So I challenged him that if he can show me the difference, I would purchase all 7 AQ Redwood cables from him.

It's a blind test and I would connect 3 different cables - 1 is the Audioquest Redwood, 1 is Cardas Audio Clear, and 1 my own generic 14AWG about 7ft. Same gears, same source, same song..... he started saying the first cable sound much better, wide, deep, bla...bla...bla......and second is decently good...bla...bla...bla.. and the last one sounded crappy and bla...bla...bla... BUT THE REALITY, I NEVER CHANGED THE CABLE, its the same 14AWG cable. I didn't disclosed and move on to second test. I told him I connected audioquest redwood but actually 14AWG and he started to praise the sound quality and next one I am connected the 14awg but actually is Redwood and he started to give negative comment. WOW!!!! Just blew me right off.

I did the same test with 3 of my audiophile friends and they all have difference inputs but no one really got it right. Especially the part where I use same generic 14awg cable and they all start to give different feedback!!!

SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? OR I AM THE LAST PERSON TO FIND OUT THAT EXPENSIVE CABLE JUST A RIP OFF?
sautan904
mikirob
955 posts
 
grannyring,
Agree, the Duelund DCA16ga is just wonderful. The interconnect as well, I assume you know that already. At the $10 a meter price point from the stellar Duelund company I have a hard time understanding why more Audiogon members don't take a flyer on the speaker cable before spending $$$$ on stuff that likely will not perform better. By the way, I'm loving the Duelund Speaker/interconnects with my DeVore 0/96s as well as my Harbeth SHL 5s and Coincident Amps. Best, Rob



tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
Sorry, but I see too many red flags to believe what the OP says.

"After the purchase of my system, I went to another dealer to ask for cable opinion"

Then a 2 part test where the OP changes all the connections, totally blind and then tell the listner what is connected, but actually lie about it. What high end dealer would allow an unknown potential customer to swap cables in this manner on a display system?

"I did the same test with 3 of my audiophile friends and they all have difference inputs but no one really got it right."

How did this happen, as it implies they were not at the dealer during the original test?

"I was a big believer in high end cable, influenced by my rich friends without really compare or test them out."

To purchase a system with new components listed by the OP in this thread and the rest of them in his other recent thread would take more than an "average Joe" disposable income. Guess I’m curious as to what his "rich friends" have for disposable income.

And finally, the OP profile shows 14 discussions started, with only 2 listed, and 35 responses, with only 12 listed. All of the listed have been done this month, yet a member since 2011. Why has he deleted all the other discussions and responses?

Now it is very true that someone may not hear cable differences if their system is in a cave or under a bridge.


knghifi
1,668 posts
 
OP is just a troll back from rioting after the election.   His story just doesn't add up ... who the hell would drive Wilson with Mac?  LOL!!
erik_squires
16,900 posts
 
I did a single-blind test with Mogami 14 guage stranded vs. Wireworld Eclipse 6 using neighbors who are jazz fans but not audiophiles at all.

I did not mention which cable was which and was careful not to go "oh, but wait, this is going to be better!" while swapping cables. Which cables were being used was impossible for them to tell at listening position. I was using a Theta Casanova, with Yamaha P2100 solid state amp.

In particular, I did ask them to pay attention to imaging and high end.

Here's the cool part:

They heard what I heard. Mogami had more mid and treble. Wireworld imaged better.

The uncool part:

My jazz friends absolutely preferred Mogami. They didn't care about imaging at all and preferred the Mogami for sound quality.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,646 posts
 
Very interesting Erik.
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