Most Important, Unloved Cable...


Ethernet. I used to say the power cord was the most unloved, but important cable. Now, I update that assessment to the Ethernet cable. Review work forthcoming. 

I can't wait to invite my newer friend who is an engineer who was involved with the construction of Fermilab, the National Accelerator Lab, to hear this! Previously he was an overt mocker; no longer. He decided to try comparing cables and had his mind changed. That's not uncommon, as many of you former skeptics know. :)

I had my biggest doubts about the Ethernet cable. But, I was wrong - SO wrong! I'm so happy I made the decision years ago that I would try things rather than simply flip a coin mentally and decide without experience. It has made all the difference in quality of systems and my enjoyment of them. Reminder; I settled the matter of efficacy of cables years before becoming a reviewer and with my own money, so my enthusiasm for them does not spring from reviewing. Reviewing has allowed me to more fully explore their potential.  

I find fascinating the cognitive dissonance that exists between the skeptical mind in regard to cables and the real world results which can be obtained with them. I'm still shaking my head at this result... profoundly unexpected results way beyond expectation. Anyone who would need an ABX for this should exit the hobby and take up gun shooting, because your hearing would be for crap.  
douglas_schroeder

shadorne, if audio gear did as you describe I would consider it junk and tell others to avoid those manufacturers. :(

In some ways you are blessed Shadorne. No need to think about or upgrade wire, connectors, parts, tweaks etc....
@douglas_schroeder  

So let me get this straight.

Audio gear that is 100% totally sensitive and completely transparent to the audio signal (music) with zero distortion or coloration or any artifacts from power, Ethernet cables or other external non-musical factors is JUNK?

OK. Now I have that straight it is clear we are not pursuing the same high-fidelity hobby, as in the highest fidelity to the music or source signal. I do not understand why  music enthusiasts would want to hear effects from cables, wires and vagaries in power rather than the purest cleanest music as faithful to the source as possible..... but to each his own.