Yes, I believe cables are a component, but in terms of impact vs. speakers, amp, or source, it’s much less in my experience. While I would advise someone putting together a new system to budget for upgraded cabling, there’s a diminishing point of return I wouldn’t push them past.
Do you consider cables to be a "component" of your system?
Meaning, do you think that cabling (AC/InterConnects/SpeakerWire) should be considered a component that is integral to your system?
I have probably as much money in cabling and fuses as I do in most of my components (if not more).
Please, please, PLEASE don't tell me that cables don't make a difference. I disagree and there's nothing you can say or do that will change my mind, so save it for another thread, please.
I just wondered if you had to recommend a set up to someone (who wanted a nice stereo), would you consider cabling to be essential in your build price and your recommendations? If so, would you consider the cost of the cables to be on par with the cost of a component?
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@soix Very well summarized. Very true. |
@soix That was an excellent analogy I concur. |
In the real world, “component” simply means a part, any part, of a larger whole. In audiophile vernacular, the word component has come to be more commonly used when referring to a box. When someone here asks if cables are components, they appear to be asking whether or not they are as important to the sound as a box or perhaps as a speaker. The answer varies by person. I think the 10% rule presumes the system buyer has a limited budget and that they should spend 90% of their budget on speakers and boxes. Up to you how you spend your money. For myself, I have found that once you have a system you like, spending a much higher percentage on cable can bring very worthwhile gains. |
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