2. cables
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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
rodman99999
6,159 posts
 
One has to assume, some pros have better aural acuity than others. That probably has even more to do with the quality of their productions, than the cables they use. But, no doubt, still has something to do with the cables they choose. Most of my favorite recordings are from the likes of Bob Ludwig, Bernie Grundman, Joe Harley, Dave Chesky and Doug Sax(RIP), all of which take(took) great pains, to satisfy the ears of their listeners and clients. Not to be contentious, but- sometimes, The Twain do meet and the results are wonderful, though the percentages DO leave a major chasm.  I wouldn’t mind meeting Twain myself(long as she wasn’t singing Country, that is).
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Sorry, that’s not really what I meant by pro audio. Besides all the old pros are overly compressing the life out of CDs just like the young dudes so the hell with em. Times, they’ve changed. Those were the good old days. 😛
brayeagle
362 posts
 
There are also differences in the monitor speakers or earphones  used in the booth, plus differences in the mixing consoles.
imith314
4 posts
 
As far as the actual physics of how the sound is sent a cable will NOT make any difference in sound. Now with that said I advocate for spending a decent amount of money on cables because they are still an important part of a system. Just get the cable that is nice enough that it doesn’t fray and you should be good and you will get the best sound. But that is reality, audiophiling is a lot like wine tasting, the more you know you spent the better the wine tastes. So that means if you want your system to sound better, upgrade your cables and it will... I’m saying that upgrading your cables WILL make a difference if you want them to, it is purely psychological.
doodle6
72 posts
 
I’ve been searching for the best sound for decades and what I’ve found is that electron transport is essential but that task is performed by the cheapest connections so long as they’re not compromised by faults. Bad shielding, mostly.  99+% of the hype for connections is snake oil.  The biggest bang comes with dough spent on speakers, then on electronics. 

IMO, tubes/analog are more pleasing than digital, and great speakers are sublime Speakers are the key.
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