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Are cable “upgrades” just as likely to make your system sound worse?

Many of us with highly resolving systems have found that speakers cables and interconnect cables can improve the sound quality of our systems. But are they also just as likely to do the opposite?

A few months ago, I “upgraded” to a renowned speaker cable, and immediately noticed more detail and resolution. I was so pleased I also “upgraded” the interconnects. But with more time I realized that the trade-off for more detail was a thinner sound with diminished tonal richness. Thus began a maddening series of attempts to fix the problem – different speaker cables, different DAC, different streamer, and now even a 30 trial of a new amplifier to try to overcome the thinness and find a more natural tone. It finally occurred to me to replace the out-of-sight-out-of-mind interconnects (with my original interconnects), and immediately the problem was blessedly solved.

Have others experienced this frustration? What recommendations do you have to avoid such fiascos?

wester17
jacobsdad2000
433 posts
 

@davetheoilguy not at all, lots of folks buy quality components and build their own cables, IC, Power, Speaker. I have the patients to set suspension SAG on race cars and motorcycles, dyno tune and build engines. When it comes to audio I am a plug and play guy. For what it cost to build your cables I bought OCC,(better than ofc some say) Silver Center, Litz Constructed speaker cables with WBT connectors, under $400.00.

Now I do not have the personal satisfaction you do, unless I go the race track and watch a client wring his stuff out. Been building snow machines as of late. IE 500 is coming up soon the Indy 500 for Snowmobile racers.

https://youtu.be/c2LNmywU5d8?si=giFqYsrKoa54WjSC

deep_333
1,596 posts
 

I’ve generally not liked the sound of anything with silver in it, whether it’s touted as an upgrade or not. OCC or OFC is where it’s at for me.

Cable deniers: If i passed a blind a/b comparison 20/20 times (statistically significant) in my rig+room on a couple of tracks between 2 cables i own, i.e. i’ve passed such a comparison before... You would refer to me as a scientific anomaly, i.e., there ends your science.

 

 

lous's avatar
lous
207 posts
 

Absolutely, and more money doesn't mean better sounding cables. Only buy from folks who will give you an entire refund.

newbee
4,778 posts
 

Clearly cables can sound different, some of the differences are predictable by their construction and the materials used.  But 'good' or 'bad' I don't know. Just different for sure and it all depends on their synergy with your components and your sonic expectations. That's it folks. Inexpensive v expensive, as far as I'm concerned that is either in your ears or between your ears and does not make what you hear predicitible. If I can I'd rather spend my money on stuff which is clearly more audible such as better amps, preamps, cartridges, speakers, etc. But, that's just me for sure, and I admit I'm not a major tweak freak. :-)

markwd
98 posts
 

With regard to the Kunchur paper, do note that the comparison is between an XLR ($$$) and RCA connection ($) between the DAC and amp. This was done to avoid complicated switching arrangements, but it certainly adds a confound to the better comparison that would be budget XLR versus expensive XLR, for instance. Or, perhaps, reversing the experiment and using budget XLR versus expensive RCA.

Of course, if cable manufacturers provide test data it would help everyone.

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