How Big of a Difference?


Hello all,

I have near completed upgrading my system, but have left my speaker wire the same. My system is as follows- Laptop (Tidal) > Schiit Gumby Multibit > Freya S > Vidar monoblocks > speakers. My usb cable is Supra usb, and I am using xlr connections with amazon basics cables. If I am not mistaken, xlr is already super good at being noise resistance so I shouldn't need to spend more $ on fancy cables at my current level of audio equipment. My speaker wire is traditional 12 gauge wire I spliced from the spool. Nothing fancy. The reason I feel I shouldn't spend money on better speaker wire is because I traded the Supra usb for a super cheap usb and could not hear a difference. On top of that, I used to use single-ended connections using Chord C-line cables, and I could not tell the difference between those and cheap ones. What is everyone else's consensus? Can you guys hear a difference in your system? Thanks for the help.

oedstrom11

I always love the "your system is not resolving enough" commentary.  Frankly, any reasonably eared person should be able to detect differences on almost any system, resolving or not, IF there is a difference. It's the delta you should be able to detect, regardless of the quality of the starting point. The "resolving" comment to me is a defensive rationalization.

My usual response that statement is "or maybe your brain is not objective enough..."

I do not mean to attack those who responded in good faith, but I do want to point out to those who regularly post such statements that really they're putting themselves, and their fancy dandy systems, above other people.  It's a bit condescending. 

I always love the "your system is not resolving enough" commentary.  Frankly, any reasonably eared person should be able to detect differences on almost any system, resolving or not, IF there is a difference. It's the delta you should be able to detect, regardless of the quality of the starting point. The "resolving" comment to me is a defensive rationalization.

My usual response that statement is "or maybe your brain is not objective enough..."

I do not mean to attack those who responded in good faith, but I do want to point out to those who regularly post such statements that really they're putting themselves, and their fancy dandy systems, above other people.  It's a bit condescending. 

I would accept a measurement delta of the amp with the standard and magic power cord.
And also with interconnects.

Speaker cables carry more current, so maybe the is some magnetic field thing possible where the elevators move it away from a floor. But even then it would be much easier to believe something is happening in a measurement, than in a magic show.

if it is so profound, it should be easy to show it.

@jji666 I don't know anything about your system or you overall experience all things audiophile, so I'll just reply by referencing my own experience.  I too have considered the "your system is not resolving enough" comments to be a potential rationalization for people that are operating in the placebo range.  I've had a few upgrades that I believed that I could hear a difference with, but also recognized that outside of a direct comparison I'd never be able to consistently detect if the upgrade was in or out of the system.  In these cases I feel that there's an element of placebo in play.

I have a few of standards for determining when one things truly sounds better than another.  First, when a change in equipment leads me to compulsively listen to all of my favorites again because everything sounds new and different.  Second, when I can point to multiple specific things that sound different to me.  Third, when the lesser setup bugs me.  An example of the third one was comparing my Pathos Classic One to my Krell S-300i.  They were very close for me and I struggled to determine a favorite.  Then I rolled in some Mullard tubes in the Pathos and after that listening to the Krell was never satisfying outside of being a power amplifier in my home theater setup where I do like the way it sounds.

I had not messed with cables until the last couple of months because I didn't consider that a cable could make a significant improvement (at least in my system).  The Mullard tubes elevated my system to a point that I became curious about what might be possible.  Adding some very budget W Audio power cords made another significant change in the sound and I considered it to be an improvement.  I also felt that I was at a point where interconnects were worth exploring so I picked up some Audioquest Chicago cables and once again was pleasantly surprised.  I'm now considering trying an Audioquest Cinnamon digital coax cable even though I'm more of a 1's and 0's type of guy on the digital side of things.

The question that I'll probably not take the time to answer is if the cables really would have made a significant difference to my ear prior to the Mullard tubes.  The difference they made was truly significant.

I do believe that as a system becomes more resolving it is possible to hear things that less resolving systems simply cannot benefit from.  The cables that I've upgraded to are still considered budget cables, but I don't plan to go down the infinite rabbit hole of better and better cables.  I think that if they were good enough to make a clear improvement that I've significantly narrowed the gap for what is possible in my system and spending significantly more would have a much lower ROI.

I hear a difference, but I am sure there are people who don’t. You can argue the technicalities all day long, it boils down whether it’s worth your while. 
 

Best is to get cables from a retailer that allows you to audition cables and return them if you don’t like them. 

 

 

Strom11…upgrading cables will make a difference.  The delta will be based on how resolving your system is, as previously noted. 
Generally, the more resolving the more the delta. 
 

having monoblocks is an advantage when considering speaker cable upgrades.  You have the great option to place the amps very close to the speakers and run short speaker cables.  (1m or less).  This does two things -  limits opportunity for signal degradation and is cheaper than buying longer cables!  But will need longer XLRs - but with noise cancellation working in your favour. 
 

good luck!!