What % Of Your System Are Your Cables?


IMO, the “10% rule” for cable expenditure really should be stated as “when you’re building a new system and you have a limited budget, allocate 10% to cables” and I think this is a good idea. But again IMO, this is not necessarily the stopping point. I recently purchased some new cables and I was wondering, hopefully without getting into the cable debate, what percentage of your system do you have invested in cables?  No need to go into brands or actual cost, unless you want to. With my new purchase, I would say I’m around 25% depending on whether you count my analog rig as part of the system price, as I did not buy any new cables for the TT, because my TT has captive cables. Probably up to about 30% without the analog.  I understand the percentage numbers can be highly deceiving if you bought used. 25% used is probably about 50% of your system price if you bought new. Anyway, just curious to see what you’re doing with cables. Be well. 

chayro

I neither establish limits nor calculate percentage of total system cost when I approach system upgrades.  I establish a goal as to the improvement in SQ I wish to realize and an upper limit for the spend.  I then audition components (which includes cables) to optimize the system to my goal.  Calculating now to respond, 16% of the system spend was on all cables and cords.  

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@steakster 

" exploration into physics - particle theory and wave theory. "

Confucius says you should add "quantum theory and nano theory" life is short you don't spend more than 1%

I'm in total agreement with @steakster ​​​​and @dougthebiker. I'm in the area of 20%. For me the infuence on the overall sound of the system brought on by the better cables, their designs and the particular materials therein (beryllium copper, very high purity copper, etc.) is so large to my perceptions that it is just essential to have very good cabling.