DO CABLES REALLY MATTER?


Yes they do.  I’m not here to advocate for any particular brand but I’ve heard a lot and they do matter. High Fidelity reveal cables, Kubala Sosna Elation and Clarity Cable Natural. I’m having a listening session where all of them is doing a great job. I’ve had cables that were cheaper in my system but a nicely priced cable that matches your system is a must.  I’m not here to argue what I’m not hearing because I have a pretty good ear.  I’m enjoying these three brands today and each is presenting the music differently but very nicely. Those who say cables don’t matter. Get your ears checked.  I have a system that’s worth about 30 to 35k retail.  Now all of these brands are above 1k and up but they really are performing! What are your thoughts. 
calvinj
I became an audiophile before WWII, listening to Victor Red Seal 78s on my parents console using cactus needles. After WWII, I began building and assembling a series of systems, including using the Thiele Small parameters to construct my speaker cabinets. I transitioned from Heathkits to Scott, then quit assembling the components when I got hooked on Macintosh.  I went from 78s to 45s to LPs, to reel-to-reel tape and finally to CDs. Over these years I discovered several truisms with regard to cables:  (a) speakers need the largest diameter cables (12 or 10) terminated with top quality connects. Resistance and impedance should be as low as possible, especially if you have long runs between the amplifier and speakers: (b) Interconnect cables among tuners, CD players, turntables, DACs and preamps need to have shielding, and be terminated with top quality gold plated connectors; (c) cables from the preamp to the amplifier also should be shielded and equipped with top quality connections. I found, through trial and error, that premier Belden cables provided the best interconnects. The trick is to ensure the best connections between the cables and the connectors. 
I found that Blue Jeans Cable could manufacture superb cables, precisely to the lengths I needed, and with the appropriate connectors welded to the wires.  Cost? Not nearly as expensive as many of the highly-advertised products.  IMO, quite a bit of the hype and "reviews" for esoteric cabling is largely snake oil.

To me, speakers - - and their placement - - are really what determine realistic Sound Quality.  Just my thoughts from over 85 years of listening to classical music. YMMV



Anyone reading this thread and just getting started in this hobby and do not have unlimited funds to buy anything you want ,buy the most expensive speakers you can afford to start with. Buy some Canare or Mogami  . When funds become available ,then get your feet wet with boutique wires . You may end up being like I am and do not get a improvement with boutique wires .
Now the last 6 posts are sensible. I got the best components and speakers I could get and now I’m using the cabling for small tweaking.  Been blesses to get the right mix that I have now. Geokaffit no harm no foul.  You been posting goofy for a while.  Lol.  Enjoy your systems everyone.  If you use chicken wire, generic Cable or Bentley Cable. As long as you are happy. 
Calvin, I’m fairly certain that’s the worst spelling of my name I’ve ever seen. Did you catch your fingers in a meat grinder? Are you high? Lol

It’s awful decent if you to hope everyone is happy, one assumes even the ones who have crap cables and/or can’t hear as good as you. What a guy!