The Emperor's New Clothes is the applicable paradigm here! Plus those invested monetarily in boutique power cords must defend their choices.
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.
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The reviewer vs driver comparison is a red herring. Whilst a reviewer may write more entertainingly, there is no training of one’s hearing to match the program. Learning to drive is matching one’s input to the desired vehicle behavior. People claiming they played in rock bands and also review equipment should be required post a certified hearing test. |
I don’t think anyone is advocating censorship, just maybe a little pause and self reflection. Debate (if indeed this is what @exflute had intended and I don’t believe he did) need not be disrespectful or loaded with vitriol. Important to ask before react…not that I’m never guilty of being reactionary, but have found that too often we simply misinterpret intention.
I perform music in a jazz chamber context pretty regularly. I can appreciate what he’s saying here. But I also very much love the process of tweaking and experimenting with my setup (and room) to see how sonically compelling my system can become. Cables (and everything else) can influence tonal color, response, stage width, depth etc. But the feeling (goosebumps) I get from listening in front of my system is set apart and completely different than when playing in a jazz trio, quarter, quintet. And add to that - when playing for an appreciative and attentive audience to boot. @exflute did any one here actually ask about your system? And/or, would you be willing to try other changes or tweaks to your system to see what improvements could be had? I’d be curious to know what you’re working with - modest or not - as I believe GREAT sound can be achieved for far less these days. But I only ask this if you are compelled to seek said changes in sound and tonal nuance. As that in itself can be both frustrating/expensive when it does not make an improvement, but also exhilarating when it does. Either way, I respect your perspective, and your wonderfully experienced ears 🙏🏼
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Please give a break. The OP “compared” a shitty Monster cable from decades ago to alarm system cable. And arrived to a “scientific “ conclusion that cables do not make a difference. For him and all of the “audiophiles” (the parentheses are his). The usual cable deniers are rejoicing. As if the big proof has been revealed now. Pathetic |
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