The Science of Cables

Of course you don’t have to consider quantum mechanics for almost all everyday calculations or observations. So let’s not get too carried away. Nor does the FAA or Boeing have to consider quantum mechanics when it performs its extensive and comprehensive testing for critical systems, you know, like navigation, radars, avionics, air-ground radios and flight dynamics software. Let’s not make this more complicated than it has to be. 

GPS location calculations use quantum adjustment, but I agree with the point.  Generally quantum mechanics are required for things outside of normal human scale - very far, very small, very fast.

And indeed, electrons and soundwaves are quantum-scale. Nonetheless, without evidence of human-perceived palpable differences, bringing quantum theory into a discussion of human-perceived palpable differences in cables looks like hand-waving to me.  I could be wrong, as always, but none of the quantum references here have looked like cogent arguments, rather indirect allusions to possibilities that don't seem to be connected to real world listening.

The issue for me is simply that if I perceive a difference only in a sighted test with the encouragement of a motivated onlooker (dealer), but can't perceive that difference accurately under controlled conditions, why, exactly, am I spending more than most people make in a quarter (or $1k a year of retirement income, depending on my age) on it?

And then there's a question of whether even a palpable difference at the dealer matters much to your repeated daily listening pleasure at home. Right now I'm previewing the programs I'll hear at the NY Philharmonic tonight and Wednesday.  I'm using my ancient beloved Thiels, which have no tweeter in the right channel.  It bugs me, and plays havoc with the cello section and winds locations, but I'm still loving the music. 

 I thought I heard a difference between a direct and conditioned ethernet cable (to my chagrin), but it wasn't huge.  I thought the introduction of a power conditioner and Naim separates was a material step *down* from the Naim Uniti (some remaining question in my mind as to whether the dealer took the speakers out of phase, as the image died, but he did sit down next to me and immediately tell me how much more awesome it sounded). None of these differences were big enough to merit a lot of money.

A separate and personal question indeed, but I spent 20 years listening to the same speakers and amp happily, with only two changes of source as tech developed from SACD to hi-res streaming.  What differences are *material enough*, let alone distinguishable blindfolded, that I can spend the money and achieve that again?


 

Actually atomic particles are referred to as nanoscale, like the data on a CD. Besides it’s not really true that quantum mechanics only applies to things on a very small scale. That’s a common misconception. That’s what the Schrodinger Cat thought experiment illustrated among other things. It’s getting so there’s no clear separation between classical physics and quantum physics. Quantum mechanics is a concept, as much as anything. Like the double slit experiment - A bowling ball will display the same quantum characteristics as a photon.And quantum Teleportation. And entanglement. A Quantum of Solace. Was James Bond into quantum mechanics?

"Let’s not make this more complicated than it has to be."

Are we ignoring directionality now?

No. We are ignoring glubson.