2. cables
  3. 179634-87782

How good does my system have to be to realize an improvement with cables?

I've heard the difference power cables and interconnect cables in a highly resolving system so that's not the question.  $200 for cables  on a $500 DAC doesn't make sense to me.  Wouldn't that $200 be better spent on a better component?  At what point is an expensive cable the best choice?  Spending $500 on a $15,000 DAC does make sense as the transparency and resolution of the component could be better realized with a better signal / power source.

My question is what's the  percentage of the overall component's cost should be the cabling and at what point should it even be considered?

Or put a different way How would you know if your cables are your weakest link?

 

128x128danager
lanx0003
858 posts
 
@overthemoon

Speaker cables I compared Blue Jean Cables to Audio Quest Rocket 33 and Kimber Kable 12TC. I preferred the Blue Jean Cables in that comparison because the Kimber Kable 12TCs had harshness in the higher frequencies and the Audio Quest Rocket 33s seemed to muffle lower frequencies.

I have trouble assessing the quality of cables based on the price. This is a good example. For a pair of 10 ft speaker cables, Blue Jean costs approximately $125, AQ Rocket 33 around $500 and Kimber 12TCs around $1000. Blue Jean performs the best. Go figure.

 

overthemoon
419 posts
 

@lanx0003 Absolutely agree with you!

The only reason I even tried another Kimber Kable item was because customer service was very good.  

jl35
4,014 posts
 

I think it'a also important to take into account that many brands/models of cables will lose little or no value over a few years, and can either be sold or grow with your system...Kimber 8TC or 12TC are a great example...

mickeyb
578 posts
 

I have a 2.5k cable on a realistic receiver from the 70s. The difference in sound quality is mind blowing. Smokes my buddies 40k gryphon system. 

mceljo
1,357 posts
 

@stevewharton - I used all Blue Jeans Cables for a long time because they are very well made, affordable, and they are fairly local for me so overnight delivery is almost the standard.

I was surprised at the difference (improvement to my ears) that I heard between the BJC LC-1 ($50) and the Audioquest Chicago ($100) and then Sydney ($200).

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