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Can hi-end cables benefit less expensive electronics?

Some time ago, there was a guy on a Polish hi-end forum claiming that in his case it was better to buy some hi-end power chord than investing in a more expensive CD player. Has anybody had an experience where they invested in an expensive cable and felt the investment justified without upgrading the unit utilising the cable? Overall, would there possibly be any point in buying some expensive cable to feed electronics nearly the cost of the cable itself? I'm currently using a KT88 amplifier with a Metronome CD8 (which is also used as DAC) plus Metronome DSS as the streamer (transport only). Speakers: Franco Serblin Accords. In my case, an upgrade in electronics would involve spending at least USD 15,000 to make it sensible. But I can also spend much less and buy a Transparent XL Digital cable to replace my DIY cable that I currently use, at a much smaller expense. Is a high-end digital cable in some cases able to make it a worthwhile investment in a setup which is not top hi-end? I can afford the Transparent XL digital cable, but not necessarily any upgrade to the electronics I own. Has anybody experienced an improvement with an expensive cable even if the rest of the system would rather call for a less expensive one? When I wrote to Transparent about it, they said I should get advice from my dealer. Cable naysayers please do not comment. Also I'm not looking for cheaper alternatives to the Transparent XL. Just fancying buying a cable that many people say is an excellent cable. Of course, I do not expect the same improvement with this cable as with a full DCS Vivaldi setup, but am I likely to get an improvement, considering that the system is balanced and nothing really bothers me in it? Or should I absolutely get a cheaper cable because the more expensive one is bound to make things worse? 

serblinfan
ghdprentice
7,019 posts
 

Just a reminder that Transparent has many tiers. For me they all share the same characteristics of being very neutral and well, transparent. For me, after hundreds of hours of experimenting with many different brands of mainstream cables, to me these are the best for high end systems (systems that are synergistic and performing at a very high level… so, you want no tonal adjustment… just the sound of the components coming through). So, dedicating cabling as being Transparent of what ever tier is appropriate makes one’s life much easier and will give reliably outstanding results.

 

As one moves up from midfi to budget high end to high end component Cardas is probably the best choice ( they are warm, warmes in the lowest tier and most transparent at the highest level). For very high quality system Transparent can be the best choice. Then when over $50K per component (my components are not in this category) very careful comparison between Transparent and Nordost should be made… their top level are simply breathtaking.

johnnyotto
22 posts
 

Whenever I upgrade cables I always buy cables that are a bit of a stretch to what I can afford and better than my current components might indicate, so I’m always moving towards "better". I get the benefit of better sound immediately and I’m also future proofing my cables for later when I get better components.

stager
61 posts
 

Good cables will let your components perform at their best.
Poor quality cables will hamper their performance.

Most "high-end" cables are ridiculously overpriced and while they will,
no doubt, do a good job, most are a hype-driven rip off.

You can find some top quality cables that you can afford and use with the finest gear at: https://silversolids.com/

 

willy-t
157 posts
 

Simply put once you get to a certain level 

of quality from a reputable cable mfg with a track record

they are all good. The Cable Company is where I would start

Call Jason at The Cable Co. Your system will improve with good cabling and will allow you to upgrade components in the future without touching your cables

Good luck Willy-T

squared80's avatar
squared80
120 posts
 

Hi-end cables won't even benefit hi-end equipment. So no. 

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