Which Cable Makes the Biggest Impact?


To all the audiophiles that have tried different power cables, interconnects, and speaker cables, which do you believe makes the biggest impact in your system in order of ranking? If you don't believe that cables/interconnects/pc's make any difference at all, and is all marketing hype and snake oil, you can vote accordingly, but my ONLY request is that you've tried different cables first!

Ok..My ranking:
1. Power cables - most important
2. Interconnects
3. Speaker cable
calgarian5355

Unfortunately - my impression of biggest impact is clouded because the order I experimented.  I think the answer might be 'where ever you start'.

I started with speakers, ICs and power cables.

In each case they made an impact resulting in me continuing to experiment and listen.

During my experimenting with speaker cables I used mogami XLRs and the OEM power cables. 

  • The speaker cables had an impact on sound stage and clarity.
  • IC's improved details
  • Power cables improved details especially in the lower frequencies.  

And for the record I would have been really happy to not have heard a difference!

 

@overthemoon I tend to agree, and much earlier in this thread suggested that the last cable added was the most important because you had taken care of issues elsewhere and now you were more fully experiencing and expressing the benefits of the next addition.  I got called out at the time for being somewhat naive as each cable has it’s own function in a system and therefore can only have so much effect.  
 

My answer to this criticism many years later, having a better system, a much, much better room, and much more experience tweaking, is “whatever”.  It all matters, and matters in different ways depending on what specific “problems” you are trying to address to preserve and keep signals in their lanes in your room and set up.  I generally agree with the original premise that power cables make the biggest difference, and have now assembled and used many from different bulk cable and connectors, and have also used many PCs built by others.  What I find is that different cables can make both revelatory and frustrating levels of difference depending on the system and application with different equipment models and types.  But in the end, the effort is definitely worth it.

I am also blown away with the difference digital cables make.  I just swapped a USB cable from a SSD to my streamer and was gobsmacked. 

YMMV

kn

I am also blown away with the difference digital cables make. I just swapped a USB cable from a SSD to my streamer and was gobsmacked.

 

Well, looks like I may be in for a treat. Just ordered the Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB..

 

In my limited experience, the current rank from largest to smallest difference.

1. Power cord

2. Speaker cables

3. Interconnects

4. Digital cables (USB)

Absolutely agree with folks saying cables are complimentary not the key driver for the sound of the system. 
 

My upgrade experience includes upgrading speakers significantly above the grade of my electronics then upgrading my sources, then amplifier. In my case I started with speaker cables and felt it was worth the impact.  And this experience reinforces the recommendations echoed by other…”try it before you buy it if you can”