Cables are both additive and subtractive. Additive in that as a piece of wire it act as an antenna and pick up noise and add it to the signal chain. Cables are also subtractive because they have a resistance. The fact that resistance is different for different frequencies cables act as tone device. The dielectric material being polarized back and forth as the signal varies tend to dull or smear the sound, that could be also considered to be additive.
Are cables additive or subtractive?
There’s lots of debates here about the effectiveness of cables. Let’s please keep that elsewhere so we can have a DIFFERENT discussion about cables.
Let’s assume for argument’s sake that yes, cables make a difference and that it’s worth paying for that difference.
Lets assume that is true, then lets ask the question:
- Do cables ADD or SUBTRACT from the signal?
Again, for this thread, assume cables change something audible.
What do you think and what are your experiences?
Also, let's try to avoid sweeping generalities and try to focus on what happens along this axis: Subtraction or addition.
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- 28 posts total
@felixa - I think it depends on the definition of additive. If we're talking about additive from the perspective of adding to the original signal resulting in something better, then I don't think that's possible. I think this was the intent of the OP. However, if we're going to consider the addition of noise then additive becomes a bad thing with the goal of the cable to not be additive.
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According to David Salz (WireWorld) the basic issues are Impedance, Inductance and Skin Effect. All must addressed in pursuit of 'best' sound at any given price point
IME, the Ali-Express Odin 2 silver and gold are extremely transparent and unbelievably inexpensive compared to most well known ($$$$$) cable companies offerings |
I think additive or subtractive is too simple. All cables are basically R-L-C networks that have different ways of distorting the signal waveform. Additive or subtractive depends on what you want to hear from your system. If the highs seem down or up to you is that good or bad? additive or subtractive? All amps should be a straight wire with gain, but we know they are not. Same with cables or any other component. In the same way we learn to interpret a reviewers biases to see if they tend to coincide with our own. |
- 28 posts total