2. cables
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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
carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

Not terribly good but cables should be near the end of the list of things you upgrade.  More bang for your buck upgrading electronics.

 

kennyc
1,570 posts
 

@danager

+1 It depends.

A much easier question to answer is telling us what your audio chain components including cables are then we can make better suggestions. 

rolox
181 posts
 

There is no hard rule. Especially when it comes to budget.

If a 500$ power cord makes your 1000$ DAC sing like never before, use it. Or, if you favorite cable on your 5000$ DAC is a 30$ cable, well, so be it. only the result matters.

I use super cheap amps (tiny class D and tripath amps, in a multi-amp config) hence my cable budget is far above my amplification budget. So what? It works (very well) for me. Listen to your ears, not to the gurus.

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