2. cables
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Why Do Cables Matter?

To me, all you need is low L, C, and R. I run Mogami W3104 bi-wire from my McIntosh MAC7200 to my Martin Logan Theos. We all know that a chain is only as strong as its' weakest link - so I am honestly confused by all this cable discussion. 

What kind of wiring goes from the transistor or tube to the amplifier speaker binding post inside the amplifier? It is usually plain old 16 ga or 14 ga copper. Then we are supposed to install 5 - 10' or so of wallet-emptying, pipe-sized pure CU or AG with "special configurations" to the speaker terminals?

What kind of wiring is inside the speaker from the terminals to the crossover, and from the crossover to the drivers? Usually plain old 16 ga or 14 ga copper.

So you have "weak links" inside the amplifier, and inside the speaker, so why bother with mega expensive cabling between the two? It doesn't make logical sense to me. It makes more sense to match the quality of your speaker wires with the existing wires in the signal path [inside the amplifier and inside the speaker].

 

 

kinarow1
jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
816 posts
 

Blame it on Noel Lee! In the Days of Yore audio hobbyists used zip cord - and nobody cared or complained! Then in 1976 Mr. Lee started selling 10 gauge fine multi-strand cable in a clear jacket. He called it Monster Cable and it was an overnight success! Lee claimed his cable was better because the high frequencies traveled faster on the outside and the bass frequencies had more oomph due to the thickness of the cable. Cleaner, clearer highs and greater bass mojo compared to zip cord! All these claims by Lee were unsubstantiated by any lab measurements! He said " just listen". The "My golden ears told me it is so" crowd fell for this hype and bought miles of Monster Cable, making Noel Lee a multi-millionaire! Soon other entrepreneurs took notice and started their own wire businesses. They discovered that all you need was a nicely made product with a catchy name and a liberal amount of print spin (this was pre- Internet). Lab measurements not needed! 

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robbydouglas2
9 posts
 

I’ve been a known cable skeptic for the last 30 + years as an audiophile. In 1995, I listened to the same system through a dealer with multiple price points of MIT cables. I could not hear a single difference at all. However, I bought MIT cables anyway. I didn’t buy the cheapest, but I certainly didn’t spend a fortune. The price for some of those cables, even back in 1995, was stupid expensive.

Fast forward to today, I still have my MIT cables, but recently changed over to all Pine Tree Audio. These cables are handmade in the USA. They were a fraction of the cost of my MIT cables. I chose them merely for how well they are made, and more importantly to me, the colors. I use purple for balanced cables, blue for RCA, and yellow for digital. My system sounds amazing. Most people that have listened to it have never heard anything better. So what it’s worth, that’s my two cents.

rodman99999
5,988 posts
 

     No one can tell you whether/how your system, room and/or ears will respond to some new addition.   There are simply too many variables.

     LIKEWISE: no one can possibly know whether a new addition (ie: some kind of disc, crystal, fuse, interconnect, speaker cable, etc)  will make a difference, in their system and room, with their media and to their ears, without trying them for themselves.   

     Some companies offer a 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee, so- those that are actually interested, have absolutely nothing to lose, by trying (experimenting with) such.     

     Anyone that knows anything about the sciences, realizes that something like 96% of what makes up this universe, remains a mystery.       

     For centuries; humanity’s seen, heard, felt and otherwise witnessed phenomena, that none of the best minds could explain, UNTIL they developed a science or measurement, that could explain it.     

     The Naysayer Church wants you to trust their antiquated science (1800’s electrical theory) and faith-based, religious doctrine, BLINDLY ("Trust ME!"). 

     Theories have never proven or disproven anything.  It’s INVARIABLY testing and experimentation that proves or disproves theories/hypotheses.   

    IF you’re interested in the possibility of improving your system’s presentation, have a shred of confidence in your capacity for perceiving reality and trust your own senses: actually TRY whatever whets your aural appetite, FOR YOURSELF.         

                      The Naysayer Church HATES it, when THAT happens!  
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,218 posts
 

robbydouglas2 

…

I use purple for balanced cables, blue for RCA. 
 

Because it’s impossible to tell them apart by connector types? Color is a better indicator? What if one is colorblind and blue appears as green and yellow appears as pink? Why did you spend more on these cables than the most basic ones you could get for under $50 for the entire loom if cables make no difference? Or did you just pay extra for the color of the jackets?

This is the funniest thing I read to start my day. Thanks for the entertainment!

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