Cable design is a lot like creating a pizza

@holmz -

     Maxwell's equations weren't wrong, but: there's much more involved*, when we're dealing with retaining a plethora of frequencies/voices (instrumental and vocal), ambient/room information (height, width, depth) and placement of the afore mentioned voices, within that space.    (iow: much more sensitive info, than what's contained in DC or AC).

       Even those involved in manufacturing PC boards for more the more sensitive RF systems, take into account the variables involved when choosing materials, as signal speed is dependent on their dielectric constants and possible frequencies to be encountered.

       We've engaged in this conversation before, so: I suspect your queries to be more argumentative, than inquisitive.    Hence: this post is more for those extant, that are genuinely interested in the Physics of what's what with our wires.

                                      If I'm wrong: my apologies!

"But what part of a stereo systems is like a transmission line?"

                 *http://www.audiosystemsgroup.com/TransLines.pdf

@bruce19 -

     Some of us have had the blessing/experience of being heavily involved with the production and recording of live sound, in a multitude of venues, over decades.

     Having recordings that one has personally made, can generate high confidence in one's reference materials.

      I've never been able to abide audible distortion*, in any system I'm responsible for, or: listen to.

     PLEASE: save me the, "auditory sensory memory" rhetoric, as that (as regards EVERY OTHER of the human senses) varies greatly between individuals.  ie: how hard is it for you, when you answer the phone, to recognize the voice at the other end, even if you haven't heard it in years?

             *ie: "warmth/musicality", colorations, added pleasant harmonics, etc

If I’m gonna spend a couple thousand dollars on some so-called hiend cables I’m gonna need a better explanation of what I’m getting.

When I call up a company and ask questions some of these people seem very arrogant. They give standardized rhetoric that never really answered my question. They are being purposely vague they really don’t want to give you a meaningful helpful response. They want people to have faith that their pretty cables Will be fine.

I have spent a lot of money on cables. I now have mono blocks, which are a good idea, and really long speaker cables which I bought before I got the mono blocks. So I’m stuck with the longer speaker cables. I am told I would not benefit much if I was to get shorter cables.

But now I need a 14 foot interconnect cable which is so much more then a 1 m interconnect.

Why the hell are cables so damn expensive? Because people are willing to pay because they know no better.

If I’m gonna spend a couple thousand dollars on some so-called hiend cables I’m gonna need a better explanation of what I’m getting

Do you HAVE to? It sounds like you are protesting and whining to me.

Why the hell are cables so damn expensive? Because people are willing to pay because they know no better.

Again, nobody is forcing you to buy anything. And it sounds like “you know better” than those stupid people who pay a lot of money for those cables. Again, whining, bitching and moaning. Lots of protestations going on here. Relax. Order from Amazon, or make a trip to Home Depot. Your “problem” is solved. No need to be worked up this bad on a Sunday

Here, I did the “work” for you: https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-Microphone-Feet/dp/B00KO8VZI4/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2V1401JQ2MBMJ&keywords=xlr+15+ft+cable&qid=1663517039&sprefix=XLR+15’%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-5

 

We’ve engaged in this conversation before, so: I suspect your queries to be more argumentative, than inquisitive. Hence: this post is more for those extant, that are genuinely interested in the Physics of what’s what with our wires.

If I’m wrong: my apologies!

Let’s pretend that you do not know my motivation for the questions. And that your presenting a motivation is speaking on my behalf, or worse.

"But what part of a stereo systems is like a transmission line?"

*http://www.audiosystemsgroup.com/TransLines.pdf

In that the author states:

A relatively short length of cable shows no measurable transmission line effects for low frequency signals. But if the cable is long enough (or the frequency components of the signal are high enough), transmission line effects will begin to appear with increasing frequency or length.

The signals are generally on low frequency, say <20kHz.

If these hi-end cables had some measurements, or could show that their cables were different in say a null test, then it would be easier have some confidence that they are different.

The ICs for instance are either different or they are not. They have not even shown that they are different.
But let’s say that they are.

Then people use them as tone controls.
What is the point of that?
Why not just have a transparent cable and use a preamp with tone controls?

Maybe I want my pizza served so that I can add the pepper and grated cheese myself, maybe I don’t.