2. cables
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I've never believed much in cables, that said... (USB)

So, in 30+ years of being an audio geek of sorts I've never believed much in cables.  I've always felt once it's a decent gauge and quality (think basic Mogami XLR's and Canare 4s11 speaker) that they don't make much of a difference.  I do try occasionally and try to read the science to see if it makes sense.  

Over the years there have been a couple cables I thought MIGHT have been different (not better or worse, but different).

1.  Gregg Straley Reality cables - these are a solid core and I believe he cryo's them.  I felt the speaker cables MIGHT have brightened things up a bit.  60/40 on if they did, but I'm pretty sure they did.

2.  PS Audio AC3 power cables on my amp.  I inherited this cable with a used amp purchase so said what the hell, I'll try it.  Don't think it did a thing on the pre-amp.  But, with two different amps, I THINK it opened up the soundstage a bit.  Reading about it, I think that the whole highs/lows shapes of cables doesn't make a lot of sense.  But I did think it might make a big enough difference.  For what I essentially paid for it - I kept it and use it.  If anything it looks cool and does stay in the outlet with a vice like grip.  


That said.

Just got my first outboard DAC (oppo sonica) and started with a cheap USB cable then tried an audioquest cinnamon, clearly a difference to me.  I was shocked (and bummed in some ways). But it was obvious, so I tried an audioquest carbon - and yes, again I'm pretty darn sure I heard a difference and it was better.  Everything did have more separation and clarity without being brighter (which is what I thought speaker cables might have done).  This was clear.  It still makes little sense to me (0's and 1's).  I've tried to look at tests like at ASR... but man it's the first time I really felt I can hear a difference.  

Might try the PS audio power cord on the dac, but that means changing on the amp... so not sure if it would be fair or not!
dep14
dep14 OP
336 posts
 
@millercabon and @cleeds,

So, I always try to have an open mind.  I do like dealers willing to demo, and typically buy used.  Honestly, I did try my PS3 powercord on my pre-amp and just didn't notice a different (pass xp12).  One my 250.8 - noticed a difference as I did a BAT amp that it came with.

Speaker cables, I've tried a few, and other than the Reality Cables mentioned where I might have heard something... I can't say I've heard a ton.  I don't see myself going uber expensive.  I always try to look at the science, and trust my ears.  

The USB cable though, was obvious.  I did demo a nordost blue heaven for a couple days on the oppo as a power cord.  I was back in the "might" category.  A longer demo with more A-B is probably needed.

Power cords also baffle me as to why they would make a difference after miles in the walls... so spending a ton, going to be tough.  Sub 200 bucks... ah, that's not bad.

But I can see myself trying another USB cable at some point.
reverso
1 posts
 
Darko has a great podcast on how digital signals going into DACs can be affected by cabling: https://soundcloud.com/johnhdarko/why-digital-audio-isnt-just-ones-and-zeroes

I upgraded from a $10 generic coaxial cable to an AQ Carbon and the difference was night and day.  
 
andy2
1,588 posts
 
ower cords also baffle me as to why they would make a difference after miles in the walls... 
If one uses "water" analogy, one might think so, but electricity is not water and how electric current flows sometimes can be counter-intuitive.

For example, one would think the bottle neck is the tiny little fuse in the amp, but obviously it's not.  
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Congratulations on discovering (Frustrating, isn't it, to learn that the supposed authorities are wrong, and you believed them!) how important cables are in a rig. You've only begun to find out HOW important.  :)

BTW, aftermarket fuses are also efficacious, as I have compared them. :)

Every wire, every location. Take nothing for granted. 
andy2
1,588 posts
 
One of the differences (among many) between water and electricity is that before turning on the faucet in your kitchen, the kitchen does not have any water in the first place.  But with electricity, even before you turn on the switch of the amp, the amp internally already has a bunch of electrons just waiting to get moving.

So intuitively, you think if the tiny fuse is the bottle neck because all the electrons have to be "squeezed" through such a tiny space, so why then adding a big fat power cable would make a difference?

One possible explanation is that electrons are so small so there are so many more of them than needed even through the tiny fuse.  Another thing that helps is that the physical length of the fuse is very short so the electrons would just shoot through it without having any noticeble resistance or phase shift.  Now if you increase the length of the fuse to say a "foot" then may be that could cause some problem.

The other explanation is the potential of the electrons in the fuse is at 120V they have a bit more juice before down converted through the transformer.



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