WHY CABLES MATTER!

@roxy54

Thanks for finally understanding me. It took effort to get there!!

I’m sure you’ll do a lot better next time especially after learning what Matter(noun) is.:)

I have no more answers than any of you on the subject of cables, but I suspect there are several variables involved, which can make discussion difficult if we’re not talking about similar variables within our systems.

If you have a separate amp and preamp setup, you’ll have a cable between them. Those who have receivers or integrated amps won’t. So a logical question arises....does the cable between an amp and a preamp behave differently than a cable between a receiver and a CD player? The impedance of the output of one preamp can vary quite a bit from another, as can the input impedance of one amp compared to another. Phono cables have a different set of critical variables that are somewhat dependent on the phono stage and the cartridge loading. We can easily measure the L, C, and R of cables, but how do we measure skin effects, or the differences in metallurgy as it pertains to sonic differences?

All audio gear isn’t created equally either (regardless of the specs). Some systems have superior clarity throughout the whole chain. The clearer a system is, the easier it is to hear minute differences. Other systems have multiple sources that are contributing some form of masking in the chain (likely unbeknownst to the system owner), making it very difficult to hear small differences between cables. That doesn’t necessarily equate to unpleasant sounding, but certainly more difficult to evaluate small changes with.

Cables matter quite a bit in my system, because they make a difference in what I hear. Do I hear differences because I have good hearing? Perhaps, but I doubt it. Hearing is a sense that we simply possess, but listening is a skill that can be honed. I’m pretty sure my listening skills have improved over time even though my hearing isn’t as good as it once was, but it’s also entirely possible that I’d struggle to hear cable differences on some systems.

In the end, our audio experience is such a unique journey that’s very specific and personalized for each of us, that we really need to only satisfy ourselves. I think we should each explore what works or doesn’t work for us in our systems, as opposed to not trying things because someone else who seemingly has more experience told you that you wouldn’t be able to hear a difference.

This is a well-travelled and oft-repeating discussion between opposing camps that has no winner on either side of the trenches .

Simply put, it’s an unbridgeable large divide polarizing the cable believers against the cake naysayers , wherein each cohort has absolutely no chance of EVER convincing the other side to change their mind … full stop.

CANUCKAUDIOMART introduced a forum policy enforced by the moderators warning cable forum OPs to refrain from initiating cable flaming under the threat of escalating punishment progressing to forum expulsion for a repeat performance after a formal warning and sanction .

Even though I am a long-time card-carrying “cables matter big-time” conscript with a high-end CARDAS CLEAR array, , my opinion is never going to sink into a hollow, useless, and thus misguided debate or response to a like misguided “cables don’t matter” discussion, taunt, flaming, or war. Carry on.

Disagreeing with other member’s differing cable opinions ( no matter how much….) is still under the umbrella of a forum conduct of base respect with some base modicum of politeness and tolerance in these forum posts.

Regrettably, there are certain types cowardly hiding behind a central plank of anonymity provided by the forum alias, that DO walk among us, …. that won’t engage in like form. They get ignored and eventually blocked out …EZPZ.

@knotscott i agree with your post. Satisfy yourself and in your system. In my system it’s built to have a low noise floor with great components.  Cables matter in my system greatly. Fortunately my speaker, cables, dac and amp are all from Infigo and it has synergy together that looks it to perform at a level I like. We are all in different places along our audio journey.