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What's your investment threshold?

This question only goes out to those like myself who enjoy the system gains running better cables bring.  Non-believers can save their money and comments for another thread.

Do you impose on yourself a percentage range for cable spending relative to other components?

Speaking for myself, I do consider cables to be a component decision worthy of budget, but I seem to have stayed in the 10-30% range of what I've spent on other components.  I can't see spending $1k for a cable on a $1k component for example.  I have spent $1,500 for speaker cables for a $6k amp.  That seems nearer the high end of my range but it still fits. 

I realized I haven't planned this as a hard rule, but that's kind of how this has worked out for me over time.  Anyone out there think a much higher percentage is justified?  I won't argue because these improvements are worth all the enjoyment you can get, so more power to you.

jsm71
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,426 posts
 
jsm71, You call it an "investment" ????  Perhaps wife is reading  :)
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,315 posts
 
Surely there's an underlying issue--or sense--of proportionality at work in much of this.  Perhaps--perhaps--plugging a 5K power cable into a 2.5K integrated would make it sing like never before, but then why not just buy a 6K integrated in the first place, and save some $$.  Ultimately, it all has to do with price-point scales within the different component categories.  What's the "right" percentage to drop on speaker cables driving, say,10K speakers.  1K? 2K? 3K?  Get much above that, and why not buy the next model up in the same speaker line, and run it with bang-for-the-buck cables.
jsm71 OP
141 posts
 

jsm71, You call it an "investment" ???? Perhaps wife is reading :)

My wife is fully aware of my audio spending.  She doesn't share my hobby but knows it is important to me.  I've got a keeper.    
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jsm71 OP
141 posts
 

+1 twoleftears - I fully agree if a cable price would bump you into the next component model up, that may be the better option.

In my case I'm at the top of my line for the components I use so cable pricing is a separate decision. 

I did pull the trigger for the top offering from Cerious Technologies just for the speaker cables.  CT only offers two lines, their value priced but very nice cables, and cost no object using all the skills the designer has, for those who like his approach and can spend more.  There are two long threads here, one for each of CT's offerings.

The speaker cables make the best impact of all the cable types I use and it is a wonderful contributor to my rig.  The rest are very fine cables on their own but I couldn't justify quadrupling the cost on those, despite a 100% trade up policy.  I do have a governor on my wallet.  LOL

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