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Cables 101, new student, first question

I have a simple question if I can get it worded correctly. For simplicity, let's say my system has four interconnects in a "stream," all from the same manufacturer, some from the top of the line and some from the bottom. Example: Wireworld's Eclipse 8 line, four different versions, the least expensive starting at $325 and the most expensive starting at $1700. In general, will the system's sound be defined by the weakest (cable) link in the chain, in which case all the more expensive cables are a waste of money? Or will a mix of cables that includes some really high-end ones sound better than a consistent run of the cheaper stuff? 

To put this a different way, if I'm buying a couple new interconnects (again, for simplicity's sake from the same maker), might buying better ones improve the sound or will I not hear a difference until I've replaced them all? (Here's the stream analogy: if I put a dam upstream, the flow in the entire river will be reduced.)  


northman
terry9
2,263 posts
 
Northman, I suggest that you audition before you buy. You have a functioning system and you know how it sounds. Make any change prove itself before your lay down your dollars.

You may find, as I do, that cables are the least cost-effective upgrade.
hobo1452's avatar
hobo1452
85 posts
 
Been doing this audiophile thing for a long time. Regardless of price, I like having all my cabling made by the same manufacturer. I consider that more important than price. Do your research, read the reviews, paying attention to the quality of construction. Shielding and quality connectors are important for interconnects. As for price, my personal experience has shown that a $400 set of interconnects will not sound $340 better than a $60 set of cables. Let your budget dictate how much you spend and you won’t suffer from buyer’s remorse. Companies like Blue Jeans Cable make pretty decent cables with competitive pricing.
northman OP
237 posts
 
Thank you, @terry9; I've got an account with the Cable Company lending library and I might indeed do that.

And thank you, @hobo1452; I know exactly what you mean about those "incremental" improvements. Your first point is something I've wondered about; I didn't want to complicate this thread (any more than I already have) but I'm interested in your comment that you like having the cables come from the same manufacturer. I should probably admit that one of the contexts for this thread is that I have no consistency at all. In my current system I have Kimber Kable, Cardas, Audioquest, and Pangea. And now I'm looking at WireWorld! Maybe it's time for me to settle down and pick a path.... 
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
So I know what I’m talking about.
Or perhaps not.

Cables, regardless of cost or manufacturer, must mate well with the components they connect.

All else is hooey.

See ieLogical CableSnakeOil for a bit of science and some links to intelligent papers.
clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
Millercarbon: "But I have crawled under the house and put this stuff on wires going all the way back to the breaker panel. The first 5 feet from the panel makes just the same improvement as the last 5 feet in the room."

Oh, so you came up for air and a sound-check after you'd painted the first 5 feet?

Spreading disinfomation again.  What about the 400 yards from the panel to the sub-station - are you going to dig a trench in the street and paint the cable?   And the 150 miles to the power station - are you going to climb the pylon and paint the six wires on that, best all six because you don't know which wire carries 'your' electricity.

"The first 150 miles to your panel makes just the same improvement as the last 5 feet in your room".  Much more I'd say.

Refute this if you can.
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