Do Costly XLR Cables Make A Difference?

If the signal path fully balanced through all of your components that kind of cable upgrade probably makes sense. 

If I was looking to spend $2,000 on balanced cables, I’d start with Iconoclast 4x4 cable in the material of your choice. I like that the designed by someone that not only demonstrates that he understands the science behind cables, but also recognizes that there’s more to cables than the measurements. His designs are very weld thought out, but they are also offered in multiple conductor materials. You also get 30 days to send them back for any reason.

I might be able to talk myself into the budget BAV variety at some point. Unfortunately, the rest of well above anything I’d consider to be a reasonable purchase.

At a minimum, read the iconoclast design brief.  https://iconoclastcable.com/xlr/index.htm

You already own "costly XLR cables."

Try and obtain loaners of the cables you want to purchase through a dealer, friend, or The Cable Company, and then listen to them and compare directly with your current cables in your own system. If you really want to verify the value, have a friend randomly change the cables between your current cables and the new cables and then try to choose which you are listening to, or which you like better, without knowing/seeing which cable is in-place. Do that at least 10 times and if you cannot pick the same favorite at least 7 times out of 10, then don’t waste your money.

Hi,

IMHO, Silverfi cables are exemplary for all the criteria you mentioned. They are hand made by Sezai Saktanber in Turkey. There is a review of my exhaustive search for the type of cable you describe on the Silverfi website. They are so good, I upgraded to Reference Black XLR. Absolutely no regrets! Very highly recommended!

Regards,

Phil

I can only answer your question based on my own personal experience in a similar situation using Cardas.  Upgraded from Clear to Clear Beyond from my source to my preamp.  Forgetting the $$$ for a moment, very similar to what you are asking,  yes there was a very definite improvement for me.  As others have said already, so much is dependent upon the components you are connecting.  In my case it was noticable in two different systems, one using Pass and the other using Atma-sphere.  With A-S as others have commented and as Ralph at A-S says between the preamp and amp a better cable did not make an improvement for me.  But between the source and pre it did.  With Pass improvements were obvious everywhere.  My conclusions as so often said IT DEPENDS.