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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
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Is this the material you refer to, Jim?

"Just remember my previous post…data errors don’t happen in 1-meter, jitter is a non issue because of reclocking, and noise doesn’t impact the successful retrieval of a data stream…that’s the whole advantage of digital!"

I am not an expert on digital signal transmission, as I avoid it by using a one-box solution, but, either way, it has little to do with analog signal transmission, particularly with long runs of speaker wire, subject to time smearing of the audio signal as well as rejection of RF/EMI artifacts.

Dave


stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
They are all different! I just got a pair of well reviewed budget cable , pro audio type, to compare with the ones I had been using I have just remembered that they were Mogami. I  did hear a big difference even though I hoped I would not ! Siltech [?] on eBay was what I had been using. I have been a dealer for the things I like. I don't like them because I sold them. All in the past anyway. I would go with good but not stupid price. I have found that silver does sound different. I like  solid silver for my jumper wire , Cardas for speaker wire and VDH First for interconnects. It is spark plug wire or something. But who am I to tell you what to use as the Pope would say if he were here? Trust your ears. I know some people who can tell no difference between things that are obvious to me. One keeps telling me that there IS no difference. I am sure I could tell the difference if someone wanted to set up a test but I can't do it by myself. Just enjoy and don't get OCD on yourself. If you can't tell then you have saved money. I have very good gear. A friend with VERY expensive gear just listened to my two amps. One is a CJ350 and the other is a Gamut 200. This was on Gamut L5s. I thought that they sounded quite different but both good and he thought that the CJ was clearly better. If I still had my health I would be changing them in and out but I can't lift them any more. Fun to play with but listing is better. Just relax and let the music carry you away. Thus endith the rant!

dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
stanwal: "Trust your ears."

No arguing with that. Peace.

Dave
fayetteville's avatar
fayetteville
6 posts
 
This is covered well at <roger-russell.com>.  Short version :
expensive speaker wires are just good marketing. Most 
copper wire is pure. Bigger wire s better due to line loss.
Keep connections tight. I use low voltage landscaping 
wire from Lowes...lots of copper and good insulation .
I have been at this since 1967 and do own stereos that
costs as much as a nice new car. I maybe wrong but
have no excuses.
   
Leads from phono cartridge are a different story. I just
use stock in SME and VPI. work fine. So does wire in old Dual
1019 come to think of it.

paieta
1 posts
 
I recently downgraded

From:
Krell KPS-25sc
Shunyata Aries XLR interconnect
Classe CAM-350 mono amps
Audioquest speaker cables (mid-range, not expensive model)
B&W Matrix 801s2 w/Northcreek Crossovers

To:
OPPO BDP-105
MIT XLR interconnect ($500 model)
Proceed Amp2 150W
14AWG cheapo speaker wire
NHT VT1.4 speakers

What stayed the same: the room: 18’W x 24’L x 12’H, with the speakers on the 18’ wall. A nice room for two-channel audio.

When I was building the high-end system, I definitely noticed a significant improvement between the Shunyata interconnects and a few others that I tried at the time. So in that sense, I can say that cables matter. However, in my new, much cheaper system, I’m amazed at what the Proceed/NHT combo can do for under $1000 (used). I’m perfectly happy with the cheapo speaker wires and have no plan to upgrade.
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