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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
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,226 posts
 
dynaquest4, I agree that there is a point where a well made cord can't be made any better, but only as long as it stays within the criteria of the original cord that is said to be all one needs. It doesn't really solve the dilemma. 

As for all those miles and miles of cable that are before that outlet and all the nasty and negative effects it's subjected to, it has nothing to do with what you're taking "from" the wall. That is the starting point. The only thing that matters is taking what's right there at the outlet and making sure you get the best out of it.

Everything before it are nothing more than miles and miles of red herrings.

All the best,
Nonoise

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grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,646 posts
 
Sure, what about all the miles and miles of cable bringing power into the gear ahead of the capacitors, output transformers, resistors, tubes etc... in our gear. Surely none of these parts can make a difference? Of coarse that power cord, that high quality output tranny, those NOS tubes, that high end resistor etc.. all make a difference regardless of the miles of wire ahead of it. Sure the quality of the wire in those output transformers and inside the gear also makes a difference. It all makes a difference! This is audio hobby 101 stuff and we need to go beyond milk and into solid food. Time for some baby audio enthusiasts to move into deeper matters and leave the bottle. 
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Seems some doctors at least least are convinced of the merit of upgrading the power cords to their medical equipment 😏

http://www.shunyata.com/index.php/news/331-noise-reduction-in-medical-procedures



randy-11
1,913 posts
 
Explain why the Quote below is true.  No woo-woo -- stick to the known laws of physics.

"As for all those miles and miles of cable that are before that outlet and all the nasty and negative effects it's subjected to, it has nothing to do with what you're taking "from" the wall. That is the starting point. The only thing that matters is taking what's right there at the outlet and making sure you get the best out of it."

Since you cannot do that, I will also give you an alternative that does NOT require a mechanism:
  Just describe the methodology and results of your scientifically valid listening test showing the difference  in SQ.
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