2. cables
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What's your investment threshold?

This question only goes out to those like myself who enjoy the system gains running better cables bring.  Non-believers can save their money and comments for another thread.

Do you impose on yourself a percentage range for cable spending relative to other components?

Speaking for myself, I do consider cables to be a component decision worthy of budget, but I seem to have stayed in the 10-30% range of what I've spent on other components.  I can't see spending $1k for a cable on a $1k component for example.  I have spent $1,500 for speaker cables for a $6k amp.  That seems nearer the high end of my range but it still fits. 

I realized I haven't planned this as a hard rule, but that's kind of how this has worked out for me over time.  Anyone out there think a much higher percentage is justified?  I won't argue because these improvements are worth all the enjoyment you can get, so more power to you.

jsm71
mesch
3,510 posts
 
Well I find it hard to invest more than 10% of the cost of two components for a cable to connect them. Often can be done for quite less. It is more about how the cable compliments the two components than the price.
joecasey
484 posts
 
Cable is a component like Amp, Speaker ... No Limit! 

Do you buy a Porsche and cheap out on tires?
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
So, if you simply sink money into your cables, you are giving those companies that are good at marketing exactly whet they want - YOUR CASH!

This is the easy route and given a infinite amount of money and an infinite amount of time - even a chimpanzee can build a great sounding system!

But if YOU take the time to educate yourself on the complexities of cable design you will end up with a great sounding system, spending substantially less cash in a shorter period of time.

To answer the original post - the % of my total system cost that I spent on the cables I CURRENTLY have in my system equates to about 6%
  • but if I factor in the various cables I tried in order to get to where I am today - that number is probably closer to 40%-50%
  • that journey cost me a significant amount of time !
  • AND a significant amount of money !
So I decided to stop simply throwing cash at even more cables
  • I took time to learn about how companies fabricated their cables and the science they believe make their cables sound better
  • What I learned on THAT journey is priceless

Cable Science is a complex topic but it saves you CA$H in the long run AND gets you THE BEST sounding system much quicker

So one approach.. 
- if you get your jollies continually shuffling cables and you have an endless supply of cash - go for it
OR...
- take the time to learn and put the cash you save towards something else :-)

Regards - Steve




joecasey
484 posts
 
So, if you simply sink money into your cables, you are giving those companies that are good at marketing exactly whet they want - YOUR CASH!

This is the easy route and given a infinite amount of money and an infinite amount of time - even a chimpanzee can build a great sounding system!

But if YOU take the time to educate yourself on the complexities of cable design you will end up with a great sounding system, spending substantially less cash in a shorter period of time.
When car requires service, I bring it to a mechanic.  I don't cook every meal and eat out ~30% of the time.  That's what makes the world turn!
I respect one's with interest in DYI their cable, amps ....  and don't criticize them.  My time and interest are better utilized in making money where this chimpanzee cannot afford cables.   There's more than way to skin a cat!

inna
7,296 posts
 
I view everything between the source and the speakers as 'cables'. Still, 30% the cost of the entire system seems close to the upper limit to me. But that's approximate, and when you buy used the proportion might be different. Besides, cables are easy to buy and sell, sometimes hard to find , though. 
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