2. cables
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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
soix
9,776 posts
 

If you believe that hi end cables make a difference then it stands to reason that the mediocre sound produced by mediocre equipment will be transferred to you much more efficiently allowing you to experience the mediocre sound so much more thoroughly and be disappointed so much more completely.

Let’s be clear here — the OP is being, to put it mildly, humble when he mentions “less expensive” electronics because his streamer/CD player/DAC retail for $17k so we’re not in a situation here where a better digital cable is going to be accentuating glaring shortcomings of mediocre equipment. Certainly at this level this is a case where experimenting with a better digital cable over even a good DIY cable is fully justified and would be irresponsible to not do so IMHO.

Also, the OP politely asked cable naysayers to abstain here because clearly he believes cables matter yet still you can’t help yourselves.  C’mon. 

jc4659
564 posts
 

+1 @soix 

mceljo
1,357 posts
 

@fastfreight - I am not following your comparison between a great sounding V8 vs. a modern more powerful engine and audio cables. I think a better comparison within the audiophile world is that the sound of a V8 is part of the driving experience just like vinyl resonates for some even though modern digital gear can exceed it in many ways.

 

@jc4659 - I am not convinced that more expensive cables color the sounds less or the difference between the various cables would narrow as you moved up and that’s simply not the case. Iconoclast’s approach was to limit LCR and used a very engineering and science approach. I think most cable manufactures rely more on listening to make decisions so I would equate it in some ways to tube rolling where personal preference is the key. It appears that Cardas possibly tries to make their top cables more transparent while also recognizing that too transparent can have a negative result in a lower quality system. I will probably see what they will tell me about their approach.

fastfreight
854 posts
 

Hello @mceljo,  I was just funning at @1971gto455ho about cables making no difference!  Probably should just keep my mouth shut, but said it in fun.  BTW amazing car!

I guess my obscure point was that we should NOT just all drive a Prius and use generic cables! :)  (no insult to Prius owners)

mceljo
1,357 posts
 

@fastfreight - I knew that it was intended in good fun.  I just help myself when it comes to the underlying message of the humor.  There's always a grain of truth at the heart of most good humor.

 

I'm definitely in the camp of those that don't enjoy the sound of many of the modern engines.  A good sounding V8 new or old is hard to beat.  I don't know if it's related to the length of the exhaust with the mid/rear engine mount or an intentional change, but the new C8 Corvettes don't sound as good as previous generations.  They have a more supercar sound, but it's the "Walmart" version.  I have yet to hear one that I appreciated, but I'm sure when they are opened up they likely sound great.

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