Ok here's my take as I recently tried the so called $5000.00 cable. I have been using the JW cryo nova 10.00 a foot solid core wire (can't bring myself to call it cable) which has done a fine job for me. Equipment is Proceed Pav, adcom amp, B&W 803d speakers, Sony TT and Musical Fidelity CD. The $5000.00 cable is a Transparent music wave ultra 12 ft long about 5 yrs old unused for the past 2 years belonging to a friend.
So here is my experience, on first connection the expensive cable sounded like crap. Harsh in all frequencies, unlistenable. After about 30 hours burn in the harshness in lower and mid frequency s disappeared. At 60 hours burn in there is still some at the higher frequencies but it's much improved. I will continue burning in until I reach 200 hours at which time I'll form my final opinion on this subject. As of right now I'm convinced there is something to be said for the more expensive cable. I noticed improvement in decay, soundstage, clarity, presence, vocal inflection at this point in burn in. Is the difference worth the extra $$$$$? I don't think so. The extra expense far out weights the subtle improvements. Now I'm also retired and on a budget. We're I to have unlimited income or funds I'd certainly would enjoy the more expensive cable as I find there to be enough improvement to warrant the expense. As is I'll have to wait and win the lottery, but if I do I will for sure get a better cable. Until then my $10.00 a foot Cryo nova wire will just do fine. So finally I'm in the camp that says there is differences in cable and how they perform. If you can afford the expensive go for it with no regrets if you can't be happy with what you got and look for better on the cheap. I am hoping my friend will offer these cables as a Christmas gift. Fat chance. Although I'll try to buy them from him for what they may be worth to me. If he's willing to sell but my offer is not going to be anything close to $5000.00
So here is my experience, on first connection the expensive cable sounded like crap. Harsh in all frequencies, unlistenable. After about 30 hours burn in the harshness in lower and mid frequency s disappeared. At 60 hours burn in there is still some at the higher frequencies but it's much improved. I will continue burning in until I reach 200 hours at which time I'll form my final opinion on this subject. As of right now I'm convinced there is something to be said for the more expensive cable. I noticed improvement in decay, soundstage, clarity, presence, vocal inflection at this point in burn in. Is the difference worth the extra $$$$$? I don't think so. The extra expense far out weights the subtle improvements. Now I'm also retired and on a budget. We're I to have unlimited income or funds I'd certainly would enjoy the more expensive cable as I find there to be enough improvement to warrant the expense. As is I'll have to wait and win the lottery, but if I do I will for sure get a better cable. Until then my $10.00 a foot Cryo nova wire will just do fine. So finally I'm in the camp that says there is differences in cable and how they perform. If you can afford the expensive go for it with no regrets if you can't be happy with what you got and look for better on the cheap. I am hoping my friend will offer these cables as a Christmas gift. Fat chance. Although I'll try to buy them from him for what they may be worth to me. If he's willing to sell but my offer is not going to be anything close to $5000.00