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Cable septic

Okay, I’ve spent a fair amount on my dream system. Voxativ 9.87 system, very efficient speakers, Vocation 211 integrated, ps audio Directstream DAC and power station, etc. I’m using pretty basic cables, mostly what came with my equipment.  I still remember a magazine article where they AB tested high end cables neatly separated vs a mess of cheap crap.   The result, nobody heard a difference. So, flash forward, what cables will make a difference?  Brand and which component in order of benefit. Thank you!
128x128mmporsche
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
That said, I am quite angry with audio cable companies for creating 'ladders' of tens of progressively more expensive cables that I believe are designed to squeeze money from perfectionist audiophiles who yearn for that elusive "step up".
They are just as likely to be worse. I've heard many demos where the High Priced Spread was clearly wrong for the equipment, yet the salesman prattled extolled the faults as virtues. And it's not a matter of opinion because I recorded the material!

Last thing: I simply don't know why cables do sound different. 

It's in the math.

Read http://ielogical.com/Audio/CableSnakeOil.php and the Garen Galeis papers linked there.
bigwave1's avatar
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bigwave1
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mmporsche,
Nice system, going Voxativ myself with PAP. 
With that investment, you could purchase a Decware Zen switch box for $359 and use it as an A-B switch to change cables on the fly. It’s clearly shown on the website. Then listen for yourself and put all the wondering to rest. Worst case scenario sell the box and for little investment, you have maximized your ability to discern differences or not that matter to you. 
ieales's avatar
ieales
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Decware Zen switch box
With a switch box you have C vs D, not A vs B.

And unless the box is scrupulously designed, A-A will also give C-D.
bigwave1's avatar
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bigwave1
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ieales,
Excellent point, I was just attempting to get someone the idea of how to get in the ball park let alone get on base. Thanks 
ieales's avatar
ieales
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And, IMO, Cable Burn In is an outgrowth of evaluating cables [or anything for that matter] not in the system and room in which it will be used.

The poor schlub gets the item home, connects it to vastly different gear and rightly determines the sonics are worse.

As ALL systems change in response to environmental conditions and familiarity breeds contempt, at some point the victim will confirm things truly have gotten better.
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