Cable curmudgeon


I'm not an 'audiophile" but I like to think I have a good ear having been a professional musician (principal wind player in major symphony orchestras) for 50 years. A number of years ago going into an excellent audio equipment store I talked with, what seemed, a knowledgeable salesman.  Being a musician experienced in audio systems but not expert on all the equipment out there I had some questions concerning high (over-priced?) end cables. The salesman assured there was an audible differencet in a demo room switching back and forth etc.  After a few minutes I noticed the sound coming out of only one channel.  He complemented me on my "good ear."  Hmmm? A few years later when setting up my home system I investigated speaker cables. Two sets of Monster, stranded standard cable, solid core copper (used for alarm system) attached with like connecters. There was a difference.  However, not in terms of better or worse: bass and treble were acceptable as was clarity loud and soft.  Differences were esthetic- like asking "whose the best tenor" (I like Plácido).  Now I know as a musician used to live (i.e. un-amplified) music that all I hear coming out of a loud speaker is perforce ersatz.  But most everything today comes out of a loud speaker whether a rock concert or a hi-fi system so perhaps my opinion is curmudgeonly. But, for me, spending oodles of money on hyped cables, well... I  liked the solid core for my alarm system- still do.

 

exflute

Well, what a hornet's nest.  I didn't know that relating my personal experience could be taken for telling anyone what to do. But SOIX, for me the music comes first, last and always and not the gadgetry. I fail to see the point of spending gobs of cash to listen to slob-art junk. And you totally miss the point of live (I.E. UN-AMPLIFIED) music.  If you go to a concert the sound comes from individuals in as many points as there are musicians.  The human ear is incredible in discerning this directionality and the panoply of sound cannot be transmitted by a few speakers- therefore my comment about its ersatz character.  Even if you go to rock concert the individuality is destroyed by amplification.  Same with recorded music and hi-fi, oh- excuse me- Audio systems.  Now they may be performing wonderful tricks of electronic legerdemain but what this has to do with music- pffft. 

You're right to be judging sonic qualities by listening to acoustic music. Large-scale classical, chamber, quartets, jazz can present proper tonal qualities, dynamics, and nuances not found in electric or amplified music. I listen to mainly classical music and also attend live concerts which helps confirm realistic sound from my home system.

But you need to audition different types of cables and components to know what is possible in sound reproduction. Regarding cables; speaker, interconnects, and power cables will influence sonics. There are online dealers who offer 30 or 60 day return policies allowing you to audition cables.

I have a few musician friends but they certainly not audiophiles, not in the least.  Two of my friends think the sound from their guitar amp is as good as any expensive system.  As they are good friends, I choose not to talk about it with them. 

Works for you flute dude just don’t put people down for spending their cash how they see fit.

 

Given the limited choice I would go for the Bell wire every time (in 12' or shorter lengths).

 

DeKay