2. cables
  3. 192296-1635

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
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,738 posts
 

Do I count the power conditioner?

macmx122's avatar
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macmx122
5 posts
 

Less than 2%. I’ve made my own speaker cables out of 10 gauge OFC wire with rhodium plated banana plugs that have securing screws. I’ve tried some expensive cables and could not hear any improvement. Maybe my old ears, maybe not. My interconnects are inexpensive SVS RCA to the Subwoofer and Cable Matters XLR short length 1.5’ between pre and power amps.  I use the equipment manufacturers power supply cables. I have a 3 Kw battery back up that supplies pure sine wave 120v ac power, so I tried that in place of the mains but could not notice a difference. My system is dead quiet in between tracks, no hum even at elevated volume. I’m extremely pleased with the sound and believe the biggest differences I’ve heard is from speakers. 

steakster
1,888 posts
 

Re: Wave Theory. This video is very informative. It’s worthwhile to watch the whole thing.

How Electricity Actually Works.

atanarjuat99's avatar
atanarjuat99
59 posts
 

@steakster @dougthebiker 

My cable investment is not as profound as yours. But increasingly, I am moving into the cables matter more than you think camp. Adding new very expensive cables continues to transform my system. Each time, I think it cannot get better but it does. Reassuring to hear that this is true for others as well.

roadcykler
152 posts
 

If you really believe cables and wiring matter, you should also replace the stuff inside the speakers and any components that have wiring. 

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