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

Can Less Expensive Electronics produce a Signal that is containing, as well as  preserves the Information offered up at the Source ?

Is all the Engineers embedded data, enabling the End Sonic to present their is the  perception of Detail, Micro Detail, Dynamics, Envelope, Coherence with a Balanced presentation across the entirety of the Frequency Range, to be discovered in the End Sound Using Less expensive Electronics?

In my experience Yes Yes Yes, but the chances of finding this using Off the Shelf - Turn Key Products will leave one with a Challenge to make such discoveries for a End Sound.

Where the experience will easily be discovered using Products that are Less Expensive is from the DIY Route, using established Kit Products produced by individuals who are adept with their EE Skill Set.

Signal Path Wire can be discovered in a variety of Cables from Branded - High End - High Price Ticket, through to much more affordable Cable containing the same Wire Type. 

If such Wire Type is known a DIY version of a Cable can be produced, offering a almost identical Signal Path to a Wire with any Price Tag sharing the same Wire.

In general a Wire in a Signal Path should get out the way and allow the Signal to be as accurate as the one produced.

Add Connectors to Cables, Add Solder, each choice will have an impact on the Signal Transferal to the Signal Path Wire.

Add Connectors on Chassis, Add Solder. Add Internal Hook Up Wire, think 'Less Expensive' these items will certainly be ones to take a hit in the allowance for a BOM.

Taking Control from Scratch and adding a improved allowance for the BOM where  Connector, Solder and Internal Hook Up Wire is a concern, will be a very good start to give a Wire Type selected as the Signal Path in a Cable an improved environment to deliver how the designers intended for it to function.  

 Reading reports made by myself on Neurochrome Amplification and PC Triple C Wire will expand on where my thoughts are coming from on the above post.   

Your polish guy is right in that on high end audio system a cable upgrade can be just as significant in SQ improvement as a new amp or cartridge or other major component.

On lesser mid fi audio equipment it may not help and may not be perceptible at all.

No different than, random analogy, putting good quality real cheese on a McDonalds burger to replace that stuff that can’t even legally be called cheese, won’t really help the burger and the burger eater would not even like it.

You appear to have at least an entry level high end system (I have not heard the speakers you have) and you will get benefit from a cable upgrade to a point. I would not go for expensive cables but mid level kimber kable or Cardas or audioquest or any of the other high end reputable brands. 

Modest is the word except maybe cabling for TT. They can be much more sensitive and certain better made cables can help. Though we should all graduate from zip cord and cheap rca’s.

@jpwarren58 In relation to creating a Signal Path for a Cartridge produced Electrical Signal, to undergo Amplification, experience has has shown in relation to Phono Cable and Amplification the following items when used has been substantial in how the End Sonic is presented.  

Solid Copper Low Eddy Connectors used on both Cable Termination and Chassis along with a Silver content Solder will be a very good starting place to learn exactly what a Wire Type can bring to the sonic being produced. 

When the Wire Type of choice is discovered, extend the use of this Wire Type as a hook up wire for the amplification devices that enable it to be used. 

Thank you all for the precious input. A very interesting discussion for me, and I'm humbled by the fact this is/was one of the most popular threads on Audiogon. I never expected that. If I buy an expensive digital coax (Metronome seems to favour coax), I will certainly add an honest opinion on whether this has been a change for the better, or for the worse. I'm tempted by the digital cable upgrades for two reasons, to be honest. Of course, I have some hopes of adding some sophistication to the sound of my digital setup, which doesn't really need adjustment sound-wide (and my other cables are already "hi-end" price wise and offering improvement, or at least not making things worse..). Here this stems from my belief (and intuition! ) that the digital link is really important and still not appreciated enough. The second thing... is my desire to own something special people rave about ;-) The second point might come to you as a surprising confession. I live in Poland, where money has always been an issue more than in most other places. As a student, I read about all those expensive brands people own, dreaming that one day I might also be able to afford it.  Now I know the price is not indicative of quality, but I guess I still have this desire to own something I could not afford in the past, even if this defies logic... And I always wanted the best ;-) I'm currently considering Transparent Digital Link XL or Siltech Golden Eagle Double Crown, both of wich I can get at nearly half the retail price. Admittedly, it's an effect of audiophilia nervosa... I am aware of it. Somebody suggested Audioquest Carbon as a good choice - I had this cable once and it was a really good cable, but I used it only to connect my Mac to the DAC in Metronome CD8. Not sure what I'm going to opt for in the end, but I will certainly let you know. It's quite likely I will victim of my "being-poor-in the-past" dreams... I hope this is legible, because English is my only second language.