Cable curmudgeon

There are people who are in this hobby and claim that there are not differnces between cables, or that digital transports sounds the same or that diy dacs or speakers sound good or better than hi end products. Perhaps I would argue with them, if I had extra time to spend on unknown people and unimportant subjects.

On the other hand, there are people who are not in this hobby and to whom any properly configurated hi fi system may sound almost the same and who are not burdened by its imanent idiosyncracy.

It would be wise if every such statement should be taken within its context and with proper understanding of its origin.

On the other hand, op has raised some interesting questions, perhaps even unintentionally. Some food for the thoughts...

Does hi fi have meaning beyond listening of unamplified music (other than classical, jazz or similar)

Does anybody really believe that hi fi reproduction can sound like a 'real thing'?(except for the tone and timbre of instruments)...Stereo does not exist in the nature...(there are excellent mono systems, I know)

Hi fi is all about creation of illusion of 'live event' and no matter how big is your room, I doubt that anyone can fit in a symphonic orchestra...Somebody even wrote that his reproduction is even more real than the live event...which is fine if you are fan of hyperrelism...but, some might call such way of expression as artificial, with every right... 

Naming hi fi as a tool which will help as hear the recordings as they were made is another myth. Nobody, except the mastering engineers knows how something sounded before its been worked on. We can only compare the recordings with our imaginary references, that were made on live events or perhaps by listening different gear.

In any case, the op does not deserve the personal attacks. Hi fi should be fun and enterteiment, a hobby (no matter how pointless or expensive it might be) and not the extension of someone's ego...

@alexatpos The following

'In any case, the op does not deserve the personal attacks. Hi fi should be fun and entertainment, a hobby (no matter how pointless or expensive it might be) and not the extension of someone's ego...',

are my sentiments exactly, each to there own, and each to using the equipment and ancillaries where they are most satisfied.

In the OP there is a reference to a experience that potentially caused the thread creator to be aloof, this is possibly something expressed by all to some degree, who have spent time close to the retail side of HiFi.

The results the thread creator has perceived during their own trials with Cables are their experience, perception and assessment, I accept their findings. 

M

I am not prepared to concede, as quite a number here have posited, that exflute's ears are good for playing in a professional orchestra but bad for hearing cable differences.

I just can’t — it’s like trying to reason with a bag of hammers. 

When I first started out I couldn’t hear much, if any, differences between wires and CD players, but with time and experience they become obvious and much easier to hear and appreciate.

Could be that you got better at listening, or possibly, you've become indoctrinated with the audiophile orthodoxy.  Reading mags, going to audio shows, hanging out in audio forums -- next thing you known your fuses are directional.  I'm just saying.

When I first started out, my Radio was the main method to listen to music replays, as that was immediately available and in use regular within the home.

I developed an interest in Buying Vinyl LP Albums as a Teenager, along with friends, CD and Vinyl LP's were contending, this was the golden era, I would imagine for the commercial side of HiFi, two bites of the Cherry for Album Sales and transitions from one Source Material to another and the sales of equipment needed.

Music Replays were much enjoyed and the equipment used to achieve this was not too overbearing as a discussion.

Live music was my main interest, the LP Collection and replays were more rainy day activities.

Reading HiFi Media was for Older Types, Concerns for SQ were not debated, the use of the Vinyl or CD was to mainly familiarise oneself with the new material being produced by Artists and being ready for upcoming concerts. 

As the time passed and I became more homely minded, a interest in HiFi System Building developed and has been a mainstay interest. There are influences in abundance when this line of interest develops, the whole of the arena is all about the equipment, Sales Men, Media, Enthusiasts forget the music and beat the drum about the equipment and exchanges, upgrades, modifications and the resulting assessments of the SQ. 

Everybody has an opinion, and everyone has unique sensitivities that will help them determine what they like, when assessing equipment, resulting in an endless amount of descriptions on offer.

With Music it is a little different, there is an impact, a knee jerk emotional experience, something hits home, an indelible encounter has happened, to the point for some, in the minds eye they aspire to be the Performer/Musician.

Then there are the lesser types who are motivationally influenced and actually attain their aspiration to become a Performer / Musician. 

I am totally aware of how being present at a live performance and actively participant in the celebrations, is quite different to being a lone listener in a room experiencing a Music being replayed through equipment.

The former has proved best for uplifting my spirits and creating indelible memories, where musical encounters are concerned. .