Do you consider cables to be a "component" of your system?

"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?"

I think cables can be very, very important.

But they are not essential, in that, you could use the stock cable and still play music. You couldn't play a record without a table/arm/cart. So, the table is essential; the cable is not.

Of course, it also depends on this "someone". Are they a new to the hobby? Do they have the funds? How patient are they? 

I'd tell them to get the best gear they can to start, use the stock cables and then slowly upgrade the cables when they're able to. So, they should absolutely assume new cables are in their future, and therefore, start saving. Because they can truly, significantly enhance the experience when they upgrade--and it's a fun way to learn the hobby. 

You know, I just got $450 Audioengine HD4 powered speakers to mostly play VHS tapes in a smaller room. My main system is in another room. So I experimented with all interconnects that I have in the house connecting Panasonic pro SVHS deck and those speakers. That's what I tried: Nakamichi cables that used to come with their cassette decks in the box, DiMarzio M-path $150, Art Audio $100 their least expensive cable, Accuphase $700 cables, Wywires Diamon $2600 cables.

Speakers are now almost completely burnt-in and all the cables are.

The worst were Art Audio and DiMarzio, though it was listenable. I liked Nakamichi more overall, their balance, even though they had the least resolution.

Accuphase were absolutely great, more than enough but the Diamonds sounded slightly but very audibly better in every respect. Unfortunately I need them in my main rig so I will be using the Accuphase. Big difference between them and the lesser cables. $700 cables with $450 speakers/ amp. Crazy, right?

Technically, accessories. Albeit very important nonetheless 

@1971gto455ho :

You’re right I’m not adding anything useful

At least you admit it. Now…. Please stop polluting every single cable thread. You are becoming even worse than @jasonbourne52 on this topic, and that’s a huge “treat” to achieve

I’ve vintage, and have been selectively buying. Now own Pristine second owner last model run Infinity IRS Beta speakers. Yamaha power PC5002m mid’s / high panels, PC4002M woofer towers. 4 x infinitesimal 0.2’s, Yamaha Pc2002m power. 

No wonder you don’t hear any difference with cables. Equipment from over 40 (four zero, forty) years ago. Vintage is often a fancy self-pleasant name for old. Probably they come with their captive cords. Enjoy your equipment, but I have a feeling you enjoy “contributing “ to cable forums most

"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?"

I think cables can be very, very important.

Many would agree with that.

However I would suggest putting the investment into the speakers and electronics and using decent budget cables.
That will likely be more impactful than using handfuls of $500-1000 ICs on lesser grade speakers and electronics.

I suppose it we are talking high 5 or 6 figure budgets then the cables are in the budgetary noise.

I'd tell them to get the best gear they can to start, use the stock cables and then slowly upgrade the cables when they're able to. So, they should absolutely assume new cables are in their future, and therefore, start saving. Because they can truly, significantly enhance the experience when they upgrade--and it's a fun way to learn the hobby.

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